Purchena is a small town in
Andalusia
Andalusia (, ; es, Andalucía ) is the southernmost autonomous community in Peninsular Spain. It is the most populous and the second-largest autonomous community in the country. It is officially recognised as a "historical nationality". The t ...
, southern
Spain
, image_flag = Bandera de España.svg
, image_coat = Escudo de España (mazonado).svg
, national_motto = ''Plus ultra'' (Latin)(English: "Further Beyond")
, national_anthem = (English: "Royal March")
, i ...
. It is situated inland the county of Almería, at the foot of the
Sierra de los Filabres
Sierra de Los Filabres is the largest mountain range in Almería Province, Andalusia, Spain, measuring in length.
Its highest point, the Calar Alto is also the highest peak in the province of Almería and hosts an important astronomical observ ...
, in the middle of the
Almanzora River Valley, surrounded by woods which ascend towards the mountains, an environment which contrasts with the rest of the municipalities of the area which are set in much more arid surroundings.
History
Purchena has been populated since the
Bronze Age
The Bronze Age is a historic period, lasting approximately from 3300 BC to 1200 BC, characterized by the use of bronze, the presence of writing in some areas, and other early features of urban civilization. The Bronze Age is the second prin ...
. It was also inhabited during the
Roman
Roman or Romans most often refers to:
*Rome, the capital city of Italy
*Ancient Rome, Roman civilization from 8th century BC to 5th century AD
*Roman people, the people of ancient Rome
*'' Epistle to the Romans'', shortened to ''Romans'', a lette ...
period, but it was during the
Arab
The Arabs (singular: Arab; singular ar, عَرَبِيٌّ, DIN 31635: , , plural ar, عَرَب, DIN 31635: , Arabic pronunciation: ), also known as the Arab people, are an ethnic group mainly inhabiting the Arab world in Western Asia, ...
conquest when it was most important. In the 10th century it was founded with the name Hisn Burxana, and during the reign of Al-Ahmar I in the 13th century it was known as Val de Porchena, and it was converted into the head of the Almanzora, which formed a part of the Kingdom of Nazari of
Granada. In the year 1489 the town became part of the
Catholic Monarchs
The Catholic Monarchs were Queen Isabella I of Castile and King Ferdinand II of Aragon, whose marriage and joint rule marked the ''de facto'' unification of Spain. They were both from the House of Trastámara and were second cousins, being bot ...
' empire with
Baza,
Guadix
Guadix (; Local pronunciation: aˈðih is a city and municipality in southern Spain, in the province of Granada.
The city lies at an altitude of 913 metres, on the centre of the Hoya of Guadix, a high plain at the northern foothills of the Sierr ...
and
Almería
Almería (, , ) is a city and municipality of Spain, located in Andalusia. It is the capital of the province of the same name. It lies on southeastern Iberia on the Mediterranean Sea. Caliph Abd al-Rahman III founded the city in 955. The city g ...
.
The current town took shape during the 18th and 19th centuries around the Constitution and Larga Squares.
Moorish Games of Aben Humeya
The Moorish Games are a historical event that Aben Humeya, King of the Moorish people, first celebrated in Purchena in 1569.
During the Games, several cultural events, sporting activities and other activities are celebrated, such as: performances of historical events (staged by young people from Purchena in the same style as it was 400 years ago), ancient Andalusian music, Arabian cooking, traditional dances and sports such as Moorish-Style wrestling, Middle League Race, hop, step and jump, and archery.
All of these competitions admit the participation of athletes from all over the world who compete to win the prize and the laurel crown. Aben Humeya Moorish Games have been declared of National Tourist Interest by the Council of Tourism and Sport of the Andalusian Government.
See also
*
Taifa of Purchena
References
Bibliography
* Pérez de Hita, Ginés: ''La guerra de los moriscos: (segunda parte de las guerras civiles de Granada)''. Universidad de Granada, 1998. .
* Acosta Montoro, José: ''Aben Humeya. Rey de los moriscos'' (Prólogo de Juan Goytisolo). Instituto de Estudios Almerienses y Ayuntamiento de Purchena: Almería, 1998.
*Acosta Montoro, José: ''Hisn Burxana. Apuntes para una historia del Castillo de Purchena''. Ayuntamiento de Purchena: Almería, 1998.
*Sola, Manolo; Grima, Juan: ''Guía Cultural y Turística de Purchena''. Ayuntamiento de Purchena: Granada, 1.993.
* Sola, Manolo: ''Guía para no perderse por las tradiciones de Purchena''. Asoc. Cultural Gremio Luna, Ayuntamiento de Purchena: Almería, 2.001. D.L. AL-148-2002.
External links
*
Purchena- Sistema de Información Multiterritorial de Andalucía
*
-
Diputación Provincial de Almería
*
Juegos Moriscos- Moorish Games official page
*
Purchena- City Council official page
{{authority control
Municipalities in the Province of Almería