Albox, Spain

Capital City

Living in this southern Spanish town means dealing with a harsh semi-arid climate and sporadic water issues - residents didn't even have tap water until 2014. Located 120km from Almería capital, this municipality of 12,799 people has transformed from its medieval Moorish roots into a strategic commercial hub between Granada and Murcia.

The town's history is marked by natural disasters, including devastating floods and earthquakes that repeatedly reshaped its layout. The original Barrio Alto district, with its maze of steep streets, gave way to expansion in the La Loma de San Francisco area during the 17th and 18th centuries. Despite these challenges, Albox experienced its greatest economic boom in the 19th century through textile production and pottery works.

Today's Albox maintains its commercial importance while embracing unlikely cultural niches. It's known as Spain's 'cradle of chess,' with its local club winning national championships, and hosts Spain's longest-running rock festival. The town's religious heritage remains prominent, anchored by the Santuario del Saliente monastery and multiple historic churches that survived centuries of upheaval.