The land of Vera has been inhabited since ancient times, with material remains dating back to the Palaeolithic and Neolithic periods, six thousand years ago; passing through the Copper Age and the Bronze Age, with cultures as well known in the European archaeological panorama as Los Millares and El Argar respectively, which began to exploit the rich metalliferous minerals of the region. The Carthaginians continued mining and founded the city of Baria around the 6th century BC, near Villaricos.
History
The Roman occupation has left us abundant testimonies of its towns and villages, such as those found in the Roceipón area, near the hermitage of the Virgen de las Huertas.
In the Middle Ages, the former population of Baria, due to the mining crisis and the insecurity of a frontier land, retreated inland, settling on a hill (the hill of the Holy Spirit, known as Bayra). These were the times of the Muslim occupation which, during the 15th century, had several skirmishes with the Christians of Lorca.
The strategic situation of the lands of Vera within the Kingdom of Granada led Ferdinand the Catholic in the spring of 1488 to penetrate the region in his advance to control the Kingdom. Without serious attempts at resistance, the mayor of Vera, Malique Alabez, handed over the city to King Ferdinand on 10 June 1488. The Christian army set up its headquarters in the vicinity of Vera (known as El Real) and the Moors of the towns in the area took the oath of allegiance there.
Vera was linked to the Crown as a royal city, and in 1494, the Catholic Monarchs granted the Fueros and Privileges of the city.
On the 9th of November 1518, an extraordinarily violent earthquake completely devastated the town on the hill of the Holy Spirit, leaving it so devastated that a new town was rebuilt on a plain close to the old one. The new city was built on a square plan, enclosed by rammed-earth walls with eight towers with battlements and arrow slits, and connected to the outside by two gates. The parish church was built in the centre and served as a fortress for the defence of the inhabitants.
The 16th and 17th centuries were difficult times for Vera. The Moorish uprisings and the Berber incursions caused insecurity and hardship in the region until the expulsion of the Moors.
Attempts at modernisation and progress during the 18th century led to the creation in Vera of the Society of Friends of the Country (the second to be created in Andalusia and the fourth in Spain), which tried to promote popular industry, especially the manufacture of esparto grass. The objectives of economic development were not achieved and, during the first half of the 19th century, there were times of crisis due to epidemics, the war against the French and the subsequent absolutist repression.
The discovery of the silver lead vein in Sierra Almagrera, as well as the mining activity developed in the surrounding area, led to a very important economic growth in the whole region, accompanied by a large increase in the population. The mining entrepreneur Ramón Orozco, the driving force behind mining in this area of Levante, stands out. The mining boom was accompanied by an important agricultural development, with orange groves being the first to be introduced in this area.
The mining crisis and the decline of traditional agriculture led to a decrease in the population until the 1970s, when tourist activity began to develop due to the great attraction of these lands for relaxation and quality of life, the friendly character and hospitality of its people, the heritage, cultural and monumental legacy, as well as its gastronomy, its fiestas and its privileged climate throughout the year.
Nudist Beach of Vera
El Playazo, an immense sandy area more than 2 kilometres long and approximately 120 metres wide. The Naturist Beach, internationally known for being the first naturist enclave in Europe, is a natural extension of the previous one. It is located in front of the hotel establishments where naturism is common.
Source: Vera City Hall