Just twenty minutes from the capital of Almería, Tabernas reveals itself as a unique destination where the desert comes to life. Beyond the mythical film sets which made it world famous, this Andalusian city offers an experience that combines culture, … tradition, flavor and adventure.
Walking through its historic center is like immersing yourself in centuries of history. The Church of Our Lady of the Incarnation, a Mudejar jewel from the 16th century, stands in the Glorieta de España as a testimony to its religious heritage. Around it, several hermitages and the Terrera Ventura Interpretation Center They reveal an even more distant past, with Neolithic roots. The route culminates at the medieval castle, declared an Asset of Cultural Interest, which dominates the city from above and offers unforgettable views of the Tabernas Desert and the Sierra Alhamilla, especially at sunset.
Cinema is part of Tabernas’ DNA. It’s a natural setting with more than three hundred filmsmany of which are legendary in the western genre. Theme parks like MiniHollywood Oasys or Fort Bravo Texas Hollywood continue to offer original settings, western shows, cinema museums, themed restaurants, swimming pools and even zoological reserves, combining entertainment and cinematic memory.
One of the moments of the “show” at MiniHollywood Oasys
Oasys MiniHollywood which includes two different areas. On the one hand, the western city which recalls the Almería’s Western Pastand on the other, a zoological reserve with more than 800 animals of different species. Within the Poblado del Oeste there are different entertainment spaces such as the Cinema Museum, located in the bank building, several exhibition halls and even a cemetery.
One of the highlights is the western show produced by cinema specialists. For twenty minutes you will be able to witness live action scenes such as shots and gallops, duels or falls from above, simulating a bank robbery and the arrest of outlaws.
The sets of Fort Bravo Texas Hollywood are faithful to the period, both the American part with ‘saloon’, prison, shops, bank and blocks; like the Mexican quarter with the square, the church, the peasant houses and the ancestral houses. And of course, the Fort-Bravo cavalry fort.
Show at Fort Bravo Texas Hollywood
This theme park and movie studio was built when Italian director Sergio Leone was looking for filming locations for his “spaghetti western” and came across this spectacular desert plain. It was here that he decided to build the city which still stands today and was later reused for many other films and television commercials.
All this, combined with the animals, western shows and services provided by Fort Bravo, will create in the visitor a exciting return in time. This theme park is located in the Tabernas Desert, just two kilometers from the city.
Stars like Claudia Cardinale, Eli Wallach and Lee Van Cleef have filmed on these same sets. Today, families and moviegoers They enjoy the dusty atmosphere that evokes the Old West. In addition, every October the Almería Western Cinema Festival takes place here, the only festival in Europe dedicated exclusively to Western cinema, making the city a must for lovers of the seventh art.
The Tabernas desert, unique in Europe, is part of the Natura 2000 network for its ecological and geological value. Its eroded landscapes, its flora adapted to the extreme climate and its ornithological richness make it a fascinating natural enclave. There are marked trails and guided routes on foot, by jeep or even on horsebackthat allow you to know your environment in a respectful and deep way. At dawn, traveling the La Serrata route is an unprecedented photographic and sensory experience. At dusk, a horseback ride in this almost lunar environment allows you to contemplate the play of sunlight on the earth and the infinite skies.
About The Author
