Almería, Coastal municipality in southeastern Andalusia, Spain
Almería is a coastal municipality in southeastern Andalusia with roughly 200,000 residents, located beneath the Alcazaba fortress. Whitewashed houses spread between the harbor and hillsides, lined with palms and wide boulevards that reach toward nearby agricultural plains.
The settlement was founded in 955 by Abd al-Rahman III and grew into an important port for silk and ceramics in the Muslim Mediterranean. Christian reconquest came in 1489, while earthquakes during the 16th century destroyed large sections of the town.
The old quarter preserves Moorish influences in narrow alleys and courtyards with fountains, while the cathedral once defended against pirates. The name comes from Arabic meaning "mirror of the sea", a reference to how light reflects off nearby waters.
The city is accessible through the airport and coastal motorway, with most sights within walking distance once inside. Visitors find accommodation ranging from simple hostels to beachfront hotels, while restaurants serve local tapas and fresh fish caught nearby.
The surrounding Tabernas Desert served as a film backdrop for over 300 Westerns, including works by Sergio Leone from the 1960s. Today visitors can explore abandoned sets and Western towns lying among cacti and rocky ravines just outside the city.
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