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Abla was the site of an Hispanic settlement from around the 5th Century B.C. Later, it became the Roman town of Alba, the fifth stop on the Roman road linking Acci, the modern Guadix, with Urci, close to Almeria. The ancient Mausoleum, in the form of a square tower, is a reminder of Abla’s roman past. It was probably used as a dwelling during the 4th Century, but from the 5th or 6th Century, until 1936, it served as the Hermitage of San Sebastian.

The Parish Church of Anunciacion (1540 – 1570) originally had a single nave but the side chapels, which look like naves, were added later. The Mudejar (Moorish) woodwork in the nave and vaulted chancel is well worth seeing. Also of interest is the restored representation of a Roman temple, built in the brickwork of the outside wall by the 17th century entrance. The Hermitage of the Martires is a slightly later building, begun in 1629.

As a further reminder of the past, the remains of the walls of Castillo del Abla, tower over the town. The main square is among the prettiest of the province, the church and two hermitages (those of San Castle and San Antón) adorn a pretty town with an interesting situation that provides beautiful views from the villages on the other side of the valley, as the light and shadows play against the imposing mountains that rise to over two thousand meters behind Abla, on this north eastern flank of the mighty Sierra Nevada. The beauty of the views is highlighted by what is perhaps the most attractive cemetery of the province.

The municipality, and indeed the whole region, is regarded as a monument to nature. Whether one arrives from the famous desert to the south, which has been used as the location for many films, or from the steep slopes of the Sierra de Baza, Abla is an indispensable centre for excursions and visits in order to enjoy the countryside of the sierras, a wonderful base for rural tourism which complements the enormous scope for outdoor activities in the beautiful mountainous province of Almeria. Abla is a good example of this variety, and now that the dual carriageway from Almeria to Granada has been completed it is an easy drive to either the coast of Almeria, the spectacular city of Granada, or via Ohanes to the beautiful mountains of the Alpujarras.

This is a lively town, with many celebrations throughout the year. The schools and medical services in the town are of a very high quality which make Abla a very pleasant place for many families to live.