Velez-Rubio

Originally a fortified medieval hill-town, Velez Rubio was abandoned in the 15th Century and its population was moved eastwards, closer to fields and sources of water.

Places of interest include the splendid baroque Church of La Encarnacion, the province's biggest church, which was built in the 18th Century and whose magnificent features include square towers, topped by octagonal belfries, on either side of a lavishly decorated doorway; the Royal Hospital (1765) which is now home to the Conservatory of Music, the Tourist Office, and a Museum displaying artefacts from prehistoric to Moorish times, including a section on ancient cave paintings.