alqueria

right|thumb|Alquería in the Horta of Valencia|Horta region, Valencia. An alquería (; ; ; from Arabic القرية al-qarīa, "village, hamlet") in Al-Andalus made reference to small rural communities that were located near cities (medinas). Since the 15th century it makes reference to a farmhouse, with an agricultural farm, found mainly in eastern and southeastern Spain, such as Granada and Valencia. Regarding the latter location Joan Fuster, in his book called El País Valenciano, makes extensive reference to the Valencian alquerías. Vestiges and documents referring to alquerias, known as alcarias in Portuguese, have been found in Portugal's southern region of Algarve. From Central Portugal to the Algarve passing through Alentejo region, a number of places in Portugal have the word Alcaria in its name.

== History == An alquería is a small rural community formed by a few houses. The inhabitants were usually one or more families who made a living exploiting the surrounding lands, including farming and rearing livestock. The word alquería can be traced back to the 15th century. In the Horta of Valencia, where traditionally they have always been more plentiful, it is the corresponding dwelling to an important agricultural exploitation, usually on irrigated lands, unlike the hut, typical of the smallholding, and the masia, of cereal and livestock character. By the end of the Middle Ages this Andalusian farm fortress evolved into more modern forms, with a small palace-like look, inhabited by rural lords.