Huercal-Overa
As the largest town in the north of Almeria province, Huercal-Overa enjoys a good infrastructure which is rapidly being extended.
The town is only one kilometer from the main coastal motorway, allowing rapid access to airports and major cities. The closest beach can be reached in about 20 minutes and Granada, with the Alhambra and Generalife, in about 1 hour 45 minutes.
There are bus services to both Madrid and Barcelona on a regular daily basis. Plans have been published to connect the town to the new high-speed rail network and to build a new railway station close to the town centre (the town was connected to the national rail system, but the last train ran in 1985).
Huercal-Overa - En Español
Huercal - Overa es una de las zonas rurales mas impresionantes en Almeria. Solamente esta a 1 kilometro del mar pero aun asi tiene todo para ser una tipica pueblo rural en Almeria. Si te gusta comprar una casa rural en Almeria Huercal - Overa es sin ninguna duda una de la mejores opciones. Aparte de ofrecer una gran variedad de casas rurales los precio estan muy bien y la infrastructura de la zona es una de las mejores en Almeria rural.
The town
Until a few years ago, Huercal-Overa was a sleepy country market town (market day is Monday) with very few modern buildings. This has now changed dramatically, partly due to the increase in agricultural activity in the area and partly due to the large influx of new people, including foreigners. Despite this, the density of population in the area belonging to Huercal-Overa is only 43 per hectare.
A large new hospital, one of the most modern in Southern Spain, has been built and commissioned; the area between the old town and the hospital has been developed with apartments and shops, including a large modern supermarket.
The old town is typically Andalucian, with narrow streets (parking can be a problem, especially on market day) and many old town houses, a large number of which have been well restored or are in the process of restoration.
The church (Iglesia Parroquial de La Anunciación), in the main square, dates from the 18th century. Holy Week (Semana Santa) has been declared to be of national tourist interest and is centred around three brotherhoods: Paso Morado, Paso Blanco and Paso Negro.
Originally constructed as the Palace of Justice, the current town hall faces the '4 towers' and the old convent building, neither of which are in use, and which sadly are deteriorating rapidly.
History
Early remains include the old(mainly lead) mines which pre-date the Roman occupation of Spain.
It is said that the Roman general Cneo Escipion died in the area following his defeat during the Punic Wars at the hands of the armies of Asdrubal. Whether or not this is true, archaeological finds in the area, including silver spurs and spear-heads do give rise to the belief that there was a major battle between the two armies in the area.
During the long period of Arab occupation of the area, the population of eastern Andalucia fell greatly, mainly due to the drought during the rule of Abderraman II (9th century AD). Following this catastrophe, new settlements were established, including Guércal and Overa, both of which built castles.
After the departure of the Moors, both Huercal and Overa were annexed by the Catholic Kings of Lorca, and remained so for 2 centuries until Huercal and Overa combined and became a town in their own right (1668).
When the French invaded Andalucia in 1810 under the command of Marshal Soult, Huercal-Overa became the headquarters for the defense of the area and fighting took place in the streets of the town as well as in the surrounding areas.
Facts
* Population 14672
* 275 metres above sea-level
* Total land area: 317.7 km²
* 2976 farms and small-holdings
Airports:
* Alicante: 1 hour 30 minutes
* Almeria: 1 hour
* Murcia: 1 hour 15 minutes
Outings:
* The beach: 20 minutes
* Granada: 1 hour 45 minutes
Events:
* Market every Monday
* Holy Week(Semana Santa)
Facilities:
* Modern hospital
* 4 chemists
* 3 large supermarkets
* 15 banks
* 5 restaurants
* 2 hotels
* Municipal pool
* Tennis club
Useful addresses:
Town hall
(Ayuntamiento)
Paseo, s/n
950 134900
Local police
(Policia Local)
Paseo, s/n
950 470585
Guardia Civil
Pl. Duque de Ahumada, 5
950 471112
Post office
(Correos y telegrafos)
Alhondiga, 10
950 470278
Ambulance
(Urgencias médicas)
950 470164
Hospital
(Hospital Immaculada)
950 134851