Cantoria Almeria Spain. Costa Almeria Directory

The old, fortified medieval town, known as Cantoria la
Vieja, stood on the right bank of the river in the Almanzora valley. All that remains of this settlement are the
ramparts and aljibe (water storage cisterns). When the old town was abandoned, the population
moved to the plain on the left bank of the Almanzora, where in the late 16th
century, it was built with a formal street plan.

The original church de la Virgen del Carmen dates back to the early 16th
century, but the neoclassical church you can see today was constructed in the
first half of the 19th century. It has three vaulted naves, a small dome over
the transept and a narrow belfry topped by a spire. The 17th century Hermitage
de San Cayetano, dominating the town, gives wonderful views over the town and
surrounding country.

Cantoria was born as a Municipality of Almería when the province was recreated on the 30th November 1833 by Mr. Francisco Javier de Burgos.

Data of the prehistory are dispersed, although located. The Roman colonisation of the Valley of the Almanzora was quick and general. During the Moslem domination, Cantoria passes through the same bloody battles as the
neighboring populations. In 1488 after the surrender to the Catholic Kings, it is delivered along with Partaloa to the Duke of the Infantado and in 1515 it is purchased by Mr. Pedro Fajardo.Its inhabitants participated actively in the
lifting of the Moors.

At the beginning of this century, the state of the roads, almost possible only way of communication in the province of Almería and, naturally in the region of the Almanzora, were very bad. The problem of the communications, therefore, was very negative and that meant that the area suffered a very slow growth and development. The agriculture of Cantoria in this century was constantly obstructed, apart from all the problems suffered by the people of Almería, two large phenomena: drought and floods were the main problem.

The floods frequently devastated the area.On the 14^th and 15^thOctober 1879 there was a disastrous flood and on the 11^th September 1891 the largest climalogical disaster of the century took place and along with
many others, the town of Cantoria had to be rebuilt from scratch.

Being supported on irrigation zones next to ramblas and the river, was a necesity for Cantoria and its surrounding small towns and villages and hence they are still perched on their original spots.

Local towns near Cantoria include, Albox
(10 km), Fines (4 km), Olula del Río (7 km), Macael (12 km).

The present mayor is Mr. Pedro María Llamas García of the PP who has continued the work of his recent predecesors by carrying on the work of expanding the town and its facilities to accomodate the influx of foreign residents. A lot of work has also been done to avoid the problems of the past.

Cantoria Almeria Spain. Costa Almeria Directory

Cantoria, Towns & Cities