The small agricultural town of Vélez Rubio is in a picturesque setting, surrounded by sierras, olive groves and fields of wheat.
This is a place of enormous historical significance. The town lies at the foot of the Sierra de Maria and proudly boasts the finest baroque religious building in Almeria Province, the Church of La Encarnation. It can be found on the plaza of the same name. Built in the 18th century, this has an imposing carved facade which includes the arms of the Marquises of Villafranca y Vélez, who built it. Inside, the main altar has a superbly detailed, 20-metre-high carved wood retablo.
Three kilometers north of the town are the UNESCO World Heritage listed pre-historic caves and paintings called Cueva de Los Letreros (Leters Cave) and La Cueva del Gabar, to the north of Vélez Blanco.
Although very rural and quiet with no industry the area provides everything. Excellent road and motorway networks with very light traffic mean that the four airports which service the area are within easy reach. Alicante approx 1hr 30 mins, Almeria 1hr 10 mins, Granada 1hour 30 mins and Murcia (St Javier) 1hr 15min
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