Almeria
Spanish farmhouses Cortijos - Ruins - Land

The History of Local Architecture

The moors are famous for bring technology, order and learning to the Iberian peninsular. Today, 600 years later, this heritage is still clearly visible whether it be the thousands of terraces they built to catch the rain and to grow their crops, ‘las norias’ (large wells where the water was brought up by machinery driven by donkeys walking in a circle) or their villages with all the latest technology of the 5^th century.

The villages needed a good spring for fresh running water, plenty of thick fertile soil close at hand for their crops and a good strategic position such as on a rocky outcrop hence the dramatic locations of villages such as Uleila del Campo, Sorbas and Benitagla.. Here they could keep a look out for enemies and defend better taking advantage of the steep slopes. Making the streets as narrow as possible shaded them from the sun and made the villages easier to defend and meant they did not have to sacrifice to much good agricultural land, as long as two donkeys could pass in the street that was enough.

These closely knit streets ensured close relations and ensured good cooperation. They claim that this explains the friendly nature of the villagers and explains why they talk so loudly; the only people who talk quietly are those who are talking

There are few places around with so many villages in perfect proportions. The moors built their mosques as big as possible, choosing the most prominent position within the village to further enhance their size and therefore their visible command of the village and the area around. The leaders of the village and the better-off built their houses on the main square, also situated high in the village, their wealth and power being clearly visible in the only wide space in the village. The poorer people built on the edges of the village at the bottom of the slopes and would have to take the brunt of any enemy attack.

When the Christians invaded and took over a village they pulled down the mosque and built their church on the same foundations or in many cases they only removed the Islamic features and added the elements of a Christian church such as towers, spires, alter etc. Nothing could be a clearer indication that a new order was in place.

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