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HISTORY OF THE TAPA

It is assured that king alfonso x �the wise one� set out that in the castillian bars there was no wine to be served unless it was accompanied by some type of food. This would avoid the wine going straight to your head.
To begin with the �tapa� would be placed on top of the wine glass which would cover it. (tapa means to cover). It�s purpose was to accompany the wine and also to avoid any flying insects entering the drink. In those days the �tapa� consisted of a piece of cured ham, spanish sausage or cheese.

There are some that assure the history of the tapa came from the following anecdote.

King alfonso xiii was on an official visit to cadiz (andalucia) when he stopped off at �ventorillo del chato� (a beach bar which still exists today) to rest. The king asked for a sherry but as it was being served a gust of wind entered the bar, and so that sand wouldn�t enter the glass, the waiter had the brilliant idea of covering it with a piece of cured ham. The king asked the waiter why he had done this and after explaining he drank the sherry, ate the �tapa� and asked for another sherry with another �tapa�. The members of his court who were travelling with him saw this and so also asked for the same.


Because of this �bar aguadulce� will offer a selection of tapas in the bar area at the discretion of the staff when you order a lager, a glass of wine, a spritzer or a tinto de verano (red wine with lemonade). If you would like to order a tapa with any other drink the cost will be 1.80 per tapa. (only one tapa per drink)


In the restaurant area you can enjoy a vast selection of spanish cuisine as raciones (larger tapas) or you can try our fish and meat dishes, our paellas and our chef�s suggestions.

DON�T FORGET TO LOOK AT THE DAILY FISH BOARD AND SPECIALS



Se asegura que fue el rey Alfonso X "El Sabio" quien dispuso que en los mesones castellanos no se sirviese vino si no era acompa�ado de algo de comida. Esto evitaba que el vino subiese r�pidamente a la cabeza.
La tapa, al principio, se depositaba sobre la boca de la jarra o vaso servido, por lo que "tapaba" el recipiente: de ah� el origen de la palabra. Serv�a para acompa�ar la bebida y para evitar que alg�n "visitante volador" entrase en el preciado l�quido. En aquellos tiempos la tapa consist�a en una loncha de jam�n o en rodajas de chorizo o de otro embutido y, a veces, era sustituido por una cu�a de queso.

Hay quien asegura que la historia de la tapa surgi� a ra�z de la siguiente an�cdota:
El Rey Alfonso XIII estaba realizando una visita oficial a la provincia de C�diz y al pasar por el Ventorrillo del Chato (venta que a�n hoy existe) se par� para descansar un rato. El Rey pidi� una copa de Jerez, pero en ese momento una corriente de aire entr� en la Venta y, para que el vino no se llenara de arena de la playa el camarero tuvo la feliz idea de colocar una lonchita de jam�n en el catavinos real. El Rey pregunt� por qu� pon�an esa loncha de jam�n sobre la copa, y el camarero disculp�ndose le dijo que coloc� as� la "tapa" para evitar que el vino se estropease con la arena. Al Rey le gust� la idea, se comi� la tapa, se bebi� el vino, y pidi� que le sirvieran otro, pero con "otra tapa igual". Al ver esto, todos los miembros de la Corte que le acompa�aban pidieron lo mismo.


HISTORY OF THE INDALO


THE INDALO OF ALMERIA IS KNOWN WORLDWIDE AS THE SYMBOL OF OUR PROVINCE AND IT�S HISTORY IS AS FOLLOWS:

IN THE NORTH OF THE PROVINCE IS A PLACE CALLED �LOS VELEZ� WHERE IN ONE OF IT�S CAVES WAS FOUND VARIOUS PAINTINGS INDENTED ON THE WALLS DATING BACK TO 4500 B.C. IN THIS CAVE THERE IS A PICTURE OF �EL INDALO� WHICH REPRESENTS A PRE HISTORIC GOD HOLDING UP A RAINBOW OFFERING PROTECTION AGAINST HEAVY RAINFALL. IT IS SAID THAT SINCE THEN THERE IS LESS RAINFALL IN ALMERIA AND IT IS THE PLACE WITH MOST SUNLIGHT OF THE PENINSULA AND PROBABLY OF EUROPE. THE INDALO RECEIVES IT�S NAME IN HONOUR OF SAN INDALECIO AND MEANS �MESSENGER OF THE GODS�.

TODAY WE CAN FIND THIS SYMBOL ALL OVER ALMERIA BUT ESPECIALLY IN �MOJACAR� AS THE PEOPLE THERE BELIEVE THAT IT PROTECTS THEM FROM STORMS, LIGHTNING, THE EVIL EYE AND MANY OTHER ILLS. IT IS ALSO SAID THAT ITS BENEFICIAL POWER IS MORE EFFECTIVE IF THE SIGN IS MADE WITH GOLD FROM �RODALQUILAR� ALMERIA.

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En la zona norte de nuestra provincia se encuentra la comarca de los V�lez conocida por el inter�s cultural que despiertan sus pinturas rupestres.
Es en la cueva de los letreros donde se encontraron numerosas pinturas que datan del 4500 A.C., es en esta cueva donde fu� encontrado El Indalo (imagen de la izquierda), representaci�n de un di�s prehist�rico y que representa a dicho dios sujetando un arco iris ofreciendo protecci�n frente a posibles diluvios. Se dice que desde entonces en Almer�a llueve menos y es el lugar con mas luz de toda la pen�nsula.
El Indalo recibe su nombre en honor a San indalecio y significa �mensajero de los dioses�. Hoy en d�a podemos encontrar este s�mbolo pintado en numerosas casas de la poblaci�n almeriense de M�jacar ya que se piensa que protege de las tormentas, el rayo, el �mal de ojo� e infinitos males.
Se dice que es poder benefactor es efectivo cuando el totem est� hecho con oro de Almer�a (Rodalquilar).