| Purchena, Spain | |||
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Purchena, Spain
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| Coordinates: | |||
| Country | Spain | ||
| Community | Andalusia | ||
| Province | Almería | ||
| Comarca | Alzo Almanzora | ||
| Government | |||
| • Mayor | Juan Miguel Tortosa Conchillo (PSOE) | ||
| Area | |||
| • Total | 57 km2 (22 sq mi) | ||
| Elevation | 555 m (1,821 ft) | ||
| Population (2009) | |||
| • Total | 1,736 | ||
| • Density | 30.5/km2 (78.9/sq mi) | ||
| Time zone | CET (UTC+1) | ||
| • Summer (DST) | CEST (UTC+2) | ||
Purchena is a small town in Andalusia, southern Spain. It is situated inland the county of Almería, at the foot of the Sierra de los Filabres, in the middle of the Almanzora River Valley, surrounded by woods which ascend towards the mountains, an environment which contrasts with the rest of the municipalities of the area which are set in much more arid surroundings.
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Purchena has been populated since the Bronze Age. It was also inhabited during the Roman period, but it was during the Arabic conquest when it was most important. In the 10th century it was founded with the name Hisn Burxana, and during the reign of Al-Ahmar I in the 13th century it was known as Val de Porchena, and it was converted into the head of the Almanzora, which formed a part of the Kingdom of Nazari of Granada. In the year 1489 the town became part of the Catholic Monarchs' empire with Baza, Guadix and Almería.
The current town took shape during the 18th and 19th centuries around the Constitution and Larga Squares.
The Moorish Games are a historical event that Aben Humeya, King of the Moorish people, celebrated in Purchena in 1.569.
During the Games several cultural and sporting activities and other activities are celebrated: performance of the historical event (staged by young people from Purchena in the same way of 400 years ago), ancient Andalusian music and Arabian cooking, traditional dances and sports (lifting of the “burxana” stone with 68 kg, Brick-Lifting, Throw of stone and throw with sling) and sports such as Moorish-Style wrestling, Middle League Race, hop, step and jump, archery.
All these competitions admit the participation of athletes all over the world who want to win the prize and the laurel crown. Aben Humeya Moorish Games have been declared of National Tourist Interest by the Council of Tourism and Sport of the Andalusian Government.