Canteras califales

Canteras Califales is a set of medieval quarries cut directly into the rock of Cerro de las Mellizas, in the La Chanca-Pescadería district of Almería. Long overlooked, the site is now one of the more rewarding stops for visitors curious about the city's history away from the main tourist track.

What will you see there?

The exposed rock face still shows clear traces of extraction: rectangular cuts, wedge grooves, and stepped ledges left behind as stone blocks were sawn out centuries ago. The quarries supplied calcarenite, a limestone-based sandstone that was soft and easy to work when freshly cut, then hardened over time once exposed to air. This same stone was used to build the walls and towers of Almería's Alcazaba and the city's medieval fortifications.

What is the history behind the site?

Extraction began under Caliph Abd al-Rahman III in the 10th century, as part of a large construction campaign that included the Alcazaba and Almería's defensive walls. Work continued into the 11th century under Jayran al-Amiri, the first Taifa king of Almería, who expanded the city's fortifications further. Quarrying stopped around 1147, when the usable vein of stone ran out — and it's precisely that abandonment that helped preserve the site in such good condition to this day.

In 2017, the regional government of Andalusia listed Canteras Califales in the General Catalogue of Andalusian Historical Heritage, granting it Site of Cultural Interest (BIC) status. The designation confirmed the site's historical value and helped protect it from further deterioration.

How do you get there?

The quarries sit on a hillside within the La Chanca-Pescadería district, close to the Alcazaba and Almería's historic centre. The site is best reached on foot, and pairs naturally with a visit to the fortress itself and a walk through the old fishing quarter's narrow streets. The ground is uneven and rocky, so comfortable footwear is worth having.

When is the best time to visit?

Early morning or late afternoon works best, since the exposed rock offers little shade and Almería summers can get intensely hot. Spring and autumn are generally the most comfortable seasons for exploring this part of the city on foot.

Frequently asked questions

Is there an entrance fee for Canteras Califales? The site is an open historical area within the La Chanca-Pescadería district, freely viewable as part of a walk through the neighbourhood.

Is it worth combining with a visit to the Alcazaba? Yes — the stone from these quarries was used to build the Alcazaba itself, so the two sites complement each other and together tell a coherent story of medieval Almería.

How long does a visit take? Viewing the extraction traces typically takes 20 to 40 minutes, depending on how closely you want to examine the stone-cutting techniques.

What makes these quarries different from other Almería landmarks? They're a rare surviving example of the construction infrastructure behind the Caliphate era — a place where you see not the finished result (a wall, a tower) but the actual process that produced the material used to build the city's most important monuments.