This small village in Almeria curently has a rapid demographic growth and is situated in the Levante region in Almeria, about 80 kilometres away from the capital city and surrounded by the municipalities of Bedar (to which it belonged to in the past), Turre, Vera, Garrucha and Mojacar.
The village is well communicated by the A-92 motorway, that offers easy access.
Due to remains found, there is evidence of human presence in the area since the Neolithic and the Bronze Age. They have also found remains of roman houses and Arab fortresses. However the village and its name come from a more modern period, from the 16th century as we’ll detail below.
The first Gallardo of whom there is evidence in Almeria was a captain known as Francisco Pedro Gallardo who participated in the fight against the revolted moors and that in the late 16th century was rewarded with a coat of arms for these and other feats. Possibly this captain originally from Vera or one of his relatives ended up settling in the area, giving the village its name.
The growth of the population’s core, which was until then a district of Bedar, came with the beginning of the mining exploitations of Sierra Almagrera in the early 19th century, being already in the 20th century an independent municipality thanks to its industry and to the existence of schools and shops.
The disappearance of the mining industry caused that the main engine of the municipality would be the agriculture, although the exit of many of the neighbours of the different districts of Los Gallardos in search of work, caused many of the cultivations and farmhouses to be abandoned.
If we go for a walk outside the limits of the municipality we’ll find remains of what were walls and houses of roman origins that were abandoned, as well as other Arab fortifications that have stopped in time.
The Sierra Cabrera is also very near, predominantly green, there is a lake and a farmhouse ideal to rest, from where we’ll be able to go on a few trekking routes, go on bike or horse rides.
On the 15th of May they celebrate San Isidro, a festivity in Los Gallardos where the locals dress in typical costumes and they cook a great paella offered by the town hall. The festivity goes on until night-time which is when the municipal music band play live.
On the 6th of January they organise a theatrical representation that dates back to the 19th century around the streets of Los Gallardos.
During the month of March they celebrate '‘El Dia de la Vieja' (The Old Lady’s Day), a celebration that dates back to the 17th century and that arose from religious origins but that is currently a family event.
Los Gallardos has a Guadalinfo centre, a point of public internet access:
Address:C/ San Joaquín s/n Phone number:950 39 87 87
Bookshop in Los Gallardos Address:
Mayor nº 52 Phone number: 950 39 89 16
For getting to Los Gallardos in Almeria from Malaga, you must head to Almeria and take the road A-7 to Nijar. The map below will show you the road route for getting from Malaga to Los Gallardos in Almeria:
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