Desert Tabernas is amazing landscape of eastern Andalusia in the province of Almeria, Spain. It is the only real desert in Europe.
If you like nature, if you are fan of western movies and you like historical reanactment events, this is the great place for you.
Unteachable nature of Tabernas became the home of film stage village of Fort Bravo. The Fort Bravo village is the oldest of the 14 Western villages. It is located next to canyon in the meddle of desert. When you made first steps into the film studio you are already in American Wild West.
At the moment around you are cowboys who ride horses and post carriages from 70s ride trough the village. Desert dust and dry air on 40 C make you feel that you are in western movie. Cactuses and dry threes make this scene even more real. You can explore the various building around the grounds: saloon, the Sheriff office, the undertakers, the barber’s, banks, prison, stables and shops in American area and farmer houses, square, church in Mexican area. Many of horses are in the stables. This part of the village is very interesting to kids. In Fort Bravo village it is possible to ride hors or take a ride in carriages.
Many of famous spaghetti western of the 70s are located in Tabernas. Here was shooting famous Italian director Sergio Leone. Here were playing the great actors like Charles Bronson, Clint Eastwood, Brigitte Bardot, Sean Connery, Orson Wells, Antony Quinn, Gregory Peck, Harrison Ford, Claudia Cardinale, Alain Delon and many, many else who made the history of western movie right there. It was real paradise for Hollywood film. Film producers chose the desert of Tabernas in 70s to save some money for their production. The Tabernas become home of number of great films like “For a few Dollars more” (1965), “Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade” (1989), “Lawrence of Arabia (1962), “Winnetou Return” (1998) and many more.
The Saloon which is located in the middle of Fort Bravo serves the drinks to the tourists. At the bar you will be attended by the girls and bartenders in original costumes. Interior is decorated so sophistically that you have impression like you are in western movie. Once a day the village crew reanact the typical saloon scene from the western movies. The introduction to the show is the girl’s dance can-can. Soon, bad guy appeared, fight between cowboys happened, a lot of noise, shoots, ladies screaming, death bodies falling around, but at the end sheriff always solves the problem.
All the time in the Saloon is playing authentic music.
For a little more adventure, you have to drive deeper in desert, just outside of main roads. Than you will have real experience of desert. The silence. Today deserts are the only places in the world where you can hear nothing. Even not wind. In silence of Tabernas you can see only some lizards or snakes, but only if you are quiet enough. Walking through the desert is huge adventure because temperatures rage during the summer time up to 48 C. No matter the temperature, there you can experience very nice views and wonderful sunset.
Seeing the desert of Tabernas is unique experience you will eagerly taste.
Very interesting. I did not know the film of Lawrence of Arabia was shot here. Thanks.
Thank you!