Alhama de Granada

This town is nestled in the Sierra de Tejeda, on a steep cliff that hangs over the Río Alhama. It has a famous spa that was used by the Romans and Arabs, and today offers modern treatments for arthritis, rheumatism and stress. It has a rich heritage and the old town was declared a Monument of National and Historic Interest. The town celebrates a number of events, such as the romería del vino in September, carnival and the Festival de Música Joven.

There are some remains here of the Roman road, the Roman bridge and some Roman villas. However, it was the Arabs who left the greatest mark on the town. The labyrinthine streets and intricate layout of its Arab neighbourhood, the remains of the town wall, the watchtowers and, most importantly, the ruins of the Baño Fuerte with its splendid horseshoe arches make this town hugely interesting.

With the Reconquista in 1482, new buildings replaced the old mosques, synagogues and Arab palaces. The Iglesia de la Encarnación, the Convento del Carmen, the Convento de San Diego, the Casa de la Inquisición (symbol of new power), the Cano Wamba and many private houses were built, creating a city with a rich architectural heritage, in perfect harmony with its natural surroundings.

Alhama is linked with two other towns: Ventas de Zafarraya and Buenavista.

Alhama overlooks a steep cliff, which is one of the most popular tourist attractions of the town. The ruins of the El Navazao and El Chopillo farmsteads, the Cuevas del Agua, the Cueva de la Mujer and the Cueva de los Molinos all point to the fact that this area was inhabited during the Neolithic era.

First the Iberians, then the Phoenicians and later the Carthaginians all settled here. Pliny called the town Stici and Romans called it Atigi, but it was the Arabs who gave it its present name, al-hammam (hot water or bathroom). This was the battlefield of the Moors and the Christian troops of the Catholic Monarchs, who finally seized the town from the Muslims in 1482. Chroniclers of the time wrote that… “800 Moors died and 3,000 were imprisoned, leaving a rich booty of gold and silver, seed pearls, silks, jewels, horses and mules, and infinite amounts of wheat and barley… “

In 1884 the town was partially destroyed by an earthquake, but its reconstruction, on the initiative of King Alfonso XII, was carried out with sensitivity towards the traditional architecture.

The cuisine of Alhama is very good and makes the most of locally grown vegetables, especially beans, and local pork products. Local stews, Migas, and wide varieties of beans are frequently used in dishes, which are accompanied by locally produced wines. Local pastries are also delicious, especially those made by the nuns of Clarissa de San Diego.