Bacares sits 1,201 metres above sea level in the rugged Sierra de los Filabres. It’s one of the highest villages in the province of Almería. Life here moves a little slower, but every stone, street, and view has a story to tell.

A history shaped by kings and miners

Back in the day, Bacares was a stronghold during the final stages of the Reconquista. After that, it quietly evolved into a key player in Spain’s mining boom. Starting in 1870, mining companies from Spain, England, and the Netherlands moved in. At its peak, the town had over 4,000 workers. It was buzzing.

Everything changed in 1968 when ICONA took over the land and closed the mines. The boom was over. Bacares returned to its quiet roots, but the legacy remains visible everywhere.

A walk through time

The village still shows off its past with pride. You’ll find the remains of the old Castillo de Bacares, probably Roman in origin. The local church, Iglesia Parroquial, has stood firm since 1502. It’s a beautiful blend of history and faith in stone form.

Santo Cristo: faith meets fiesta

Every year from September 12 to 14, Bacares goes all in for the Fiestas del Santo Cristo. The whole village takes part. There’s a moving procession with offerings, prayers, and even banknotes pinned to the Christ figure’s robe. It’s loud, joyful, emotional—and very Bacares.

Industrial roots that run deep

The story of Bacares may be wrapped in tradition, but metal built this place. Long before modern mining, early settlers like the Phoenicians and Carthaginians knew the land was rich. Bacares supplied ironwork not just locally, but to all of Al-Andalus. Even the cathedral of Almería used iron from here.

You can still see the remains of old smelters and forges along the river. They’re quiet now, but back then they were the heartbeat of the town.

Life between the peaks

Living in Bacares always meant adapting to mountain life. Families worked as muleteers, trading tools, silk, and other goods across Al-Andalus. In return, they brought back essentials like grain, wine, and oil.

Some families followed their herds from valley to coast and back again with the seasons. It wasn’t easy, but it worked.

Forests lost, spirit not

Centuries ago, the mountains were packed with pine and oak forests. Most of it was cleared for shipbuilding and mining. The trees are gone, but Bacares still feels wild. The mountains keep it close and quiet.

From boomtown to mountain hideaway

In the early 1900s, Bacares was a true mining town. More than 5,000 people lived in and around the village. When the mines closed in the 1970s, many left in search of work. Today, only a few hundred people remain. But that’s part of the charm.

Bacares isn’t trying to impress anyone. It just is. A peaceful village in the mountains, full of stories, character, and views that stop you in your tracks.

source: turismoalmanzora.com