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 Town history |
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Ever since primordia lt imes, various cultures and peoples have inhabited Mojácar. Believed to have been settled since the Bronze Age, the ancient Mediterranean civilizations of traders such as Phoenicians and Carthaginians made contact with Mojácar in around 2000 BC, to serve their respective communities’ exploding populations. Mojácar then became a hub of trade for the Phoenicians, Greeks and Romans. The most conspicuous legacy however was bequeathed by the Moors, whose influence dates back from the 8th century, is most visible.
When Mojácar succumbed to Greek sovereignty, the settlement was then named as Murgis - Akra. The early nomenclature became the basis for the latinized Moxacar, the Moorish Muxacra and finally the current name of Mojácar. The north African Moors no sooner conquered Spain in the early 8th century. Since then, the province of Almería became subjected under the dominion of the Caliphate of Damascus. Later it was suceeded by rulers from Cordoba.
The second Moorish reign was a markedly prosperous epoch in Mojacar’s history. Under this rule, the settlement rapidly developed in in size and importance. Upon the coronation of Mohammed 1st in Granada, Mojácar and its lands became integrated into the Nazari sultanate. Henceforth, the Islamic town was constantly threatened by the campaigns of the Christian forces to the east. As defense, watchtowers and fortresses were erected and reinforced during the 14th century. Nevertheless, these bastions did little to suppress the Christian incursions. Soon enough, bloody strifes and encounters such as the violent event of 1435 sprung. Much of the population of Mojácar was decimated in this particular event alone.
An agreement was reahced between the leaders of the region and the Christian coalition, on June 10th, 1488. Mojácar's alcaide was said to have declined attending as he considered his town to be already Spanish. This is the point in history in which transpired the unforgettable eeting at Mojácar's Moorish fountain. A pact of free association between the local Moors, Jews and Christians was consensually agreed upon by the parties involved. Once again, Mojácar comntinued its growth and development well until the early 18th century when the census of the time registered some 10,000 residents. Midway the 19th century, Mojácar commenced yet another era of degeneration.
Historical records postulate the seVeral severe droughts account for this dramatic wane in Mojacar’s prosperity. As a result, a massive exodus to northern Spain, Europe and South America ensued among the town residents which continued well until the late 20th century. As with many other villages in south-eastern Spain, the depopulation of Mojácar was escalating near its apex by the 1960's. Mojácar seemed to have seen better days, so close to becoming a ghost town. Most of its active inhabitants had chosen to find greener pastures further north to find work in the factories of the Barcelona region, and in other regions. Upon the initiative of the then mayor, the town's mayor imparted land away to anyone who promised to build. It proved to be a successful scheme to attract new residents. Within a year, tourism had already begun to reverse the trend and Mojácar had become a picturesque thriving art haven. The more regular tourists and holiday-makers were also later lured by the beauty and aesthetics of the place. During the following years, Mojácar witnessed the development of its shoreline. Hotels and villas were erected along this area.
At present, the city of Mojácar is embracing modernity while at the same time pledging loyalty to its vibrant past in terms of preserving its architecture, the whitewashed houses and the openness of the people, a long-standing descent of the ways of understanding and sympathy from antiquated forebearers.
Theorized to be the end product of this long-standing continuous mixing of cultures and religions is the INDALO - or 'Mojácar man'. The symbol of Mojácar is the Indalo Man, This is a magical totem said to brings protection and good luck. Way back from times past, it is custom to always paint the totem onto the fronts of houses once the whitewash was dry. It keeps away the 'evil eye' and protecting those within from storms. The shape of the figure might be interpreted to be a man holding an arc of rainbow between his outstretched arms. It is said it brings protection and good luck and is often painted on the front of houses.
The original symbol is supposed to be 4,500 years old. The totem is associated with the Neolithic paintings, the earliest known one which can be found in the caves of Velez Blanco. The moniker Indalo is only recently coined by a group of artists and intellectuals who settled in Mojácar in the early 'sixties. Captivated by the magic and enchantment of the town, they conceptualized the popularization of the totem which today signifies the whole province of Almería.
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