Discover Félix: History, Architecture and Festivals

The origins of Félix date back to the Muslim period. In the 11th century, Félix appears in Muslim literature under the name Sant Afliy. The Castillo de Félix dates from the 11th century. It is an Arab fortress made of rammed earth. The Castillo de Félix is located at a viewpoint. From this viewpoint, you can look out over a landscape stretching from Cabo de Gata to the Poniente almeriense.

History

The Church of the Encarnación was built in the 16th century over an earlier mosque. Its architecture incorporates Arab, Mudéjar and Baroque elements. The Iglesia Fortaleza de la Encarnación in Félix has been declared a Bien de Interés Cultural. The Ermita de Félix has a square floor plan. An imposing dome crowns the building. The hermitage is regarded as an important testament to the Arab and Muslim heritage of the region.

The Encarnación thus brings together the memory of the former mosque and the later architectural elements directly in a single building. The hermitage, too, preserves a distinctive architectural form through its floor plan and dome. Both buildings represent different expressions of Félix’s historical heritage.

Buildings

The Acueducto de los 20 Ojos is located in the geographical surroundings of Félix. The surviving structure is a Roman-type aqueduct. It is 40 metres long and 10 metres high. The name Acueducto de los 20 Ojos refers to the number of its openings. The Molino in Félix is a masonry tower. Its shape is a truncated cone. In the past, the Molino was a windmill used to grind wheat. The Arcos del Barranquillo may be of Arab origin.

The aqueduct is described in terms of its surviving substance, Roman construction type and dimensions of 40 metres in length and 10 metres in height. The Molino adds to this picture a masonry structure whose former use was explicitly connected with grinding wheat. In the case of the Arcos del Barranquillo, Arab origin remains a possibility.

Landscape

The Cerro de la Matanza lies opposite the town of Félix. The hill owes its name to an event during the Morisco Revolt of 1568.

The geographical relationship with the town and the historical reference behind the name are connected here: the hill lies opposite Félix, while its name refers to an event from the period of the Morisco Revolt.

Festivals

The Fiestas de San Roque in Félix include processions with the images of San Roque and the Virgen de la Asunción. On 17 August, the Fiestas de San Roque end with the presentation of trophies to the winners of the sporting competitions and with the toro de fuego.

The festival programme therefore includes both the processions with the two images and the closing event on 17 August. This conclusion includes the trophies for the winners of the sporting competitions and the toro de fuego.

Find more destinations here: Arboleas, Agua Amarga, Los Gallardos, Tonosa, Las Hortichuelas, Huércal-Overa, Láujar De Andarax, Nijar.

Cuisine

An old winter meal from Félix is made from a firm dough. The dough is rolled out with a rolling pin. It is then cut into small pieces or strips. Because of its elaborate preparation, the meal has almost fallen out of use.

The dish is clearly characterised by the sequence of its preparation: the firm dough is followed by rolling it out with a rolling pin, then by cutting it into small pieces or strips. This labour-intensive process explains why it has almost fallen out of use.

For the overarching travel overview: Almeria.