Alcalá del Valle Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids

Alcalá del Valle

Flag	Coat of arms

Municipal location in the Province of Cádiz

Alcalá del Valle

Location in Andalusia

Alcalá del Valle

Location in Spain

Country

Spain

Comarca

Sierra de Cádiz

Area

• Total

46.89 km² (18.10 sq mi)

Elevation

628 m (2,060 ft)

Population

• Total

5,123

• Density

109.256/km² (282.97/sq mi)

Demonyms

Alcalareño, ña

Time zone

UTC+1 (CET)

• Summer (DST)

UTC+2 (CEST)

Postal code

11693

Dialing code

(+34) 956

Website

alcaladelvalle.com

Alcalá del Valle is a small town in the province of Cádiz, Spain. In 2006, about 5,355 people lived there.

This town is the last stop on the famous "Route of the White Villages." It acts like a bridge between the provinces of Cádiz and Málaga. It also connects two important coastlines: the Costa de la Luz and the Costa del Sol.

Alcalá del Valle is nestled in a beautiful valley. Many small streams flow through it, providing fresh water to the people. From the town, you can see amazing natural places. These include nature reserves like Tomillos and Las Errizas. The town also has many old buildings with a special "Mannerist-style." You can enjoy tasty Mediterranean food at local restaurants.

Where is Alcalá del Valle?
Cool Places to See
Fun Celebrations
What People Do for Work
Plants and Animals
- Plants You Might See
- Animals You Might Spot
How Many People Live Here?
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Where is Alcalá del Valle?

Alcalá del Valle is surrounded by different natural features and towns.

To the North, you'll find the Sierra de Mollina, Cerro de la Atalaya, and the Arroyo de Tomillo.
To the South, it's close to the town of Setenil de las Bodegas.
To the East, you'll see the Serranía de Ronda mountain range.
To the West, it's near the Guadalporcún river and Torre Alháquime.

Cool Places to See

Alcalá del Valle has many interesting historical sites and beautiful spots.

Iglesia de Santa María del Valle

This church is built in the Baroque style. It is dedicated to the town's patron saint, Santa María del Valle. It was built between the 17th and 18th centuries. Inside, the church has three main sections. These are separated by large archways. The front of the church has a unique stepped design. It also features a bell tower and a clock. The church used to hold important artworks. These included La Tabla del Milagro and El Cristo de la Buena Muerte.

Ermita del Cristo de la Misericordia

This chapel is dedicated to the Lord of Mercy. It is home to one of the town's religious groups, known as the "coloraos." Many local people consider it a very important place for worship.

Ancient Burial Mounds of Dehesa del Tomillo

This area has very old burial sites called dolmens. They are located north of the Dehesa del Tomillo. Experts dug here in 1983. They found that these sites were used for burials before 2000 BC. This shows that people lived in this part of the mountains a very long time ago.

The dolmens are arranged in a circle. They have a single stone entrance. These sites are similar to others found in the regions of Seville and Malaga. The most special thing found here is a menhir. A menhir is a huge, tall rock placed upright on a small pile of stones. This menhir is the only one of its kind in the entire province of Cádiz.

Cortijo de La Cacería

This grand old building is located a bit outside the main village. It looks like an ancient palace. This is because it used to be the home of the Marquis of Benamejí. The building dates back to the 16th century. It has strong, tall walls made of beautiful stonework. The main courtyard has an impressive archway. Above it, there's a second set of arches and double stairs. Today, the Cortijo is mainly used to host hunters who visit the mountains.

Fuente Grande (Great Fountain)

This natural spring has been known since the time of the Moorish settlement. Today, it has been beautifully restored. Fresh water flows from this source through five pipes.

Archaeologists have found Roman remains near the Fuente Grande. This proves that people lived here even in ancient Roman times. They are still digging to find out more about the site. It seems to have been a large farm or villa with areas for making pottery.

Monasterio de Caños Santos

Caños Santos is an old Convent-Monastery from the 16th century. It's only about 6 kilometers from Alcalá del Valle. From here, you can enjoy amazing views of the countryside.

The monastery's story began with a small village. After an invasion, people hid a statue of the Virgin Mary in the mountains. It was found in 1512 near a spring. A small chapel was built there first. Later, in the mid-16th century, a larger complex was built. Franciscan friars lived there because many people loved the Virgin Mary. So, the building shows a mix of its original style and changes made in the 17th and 18th centuries.

This old convent is being restored with help from the government and European funds. It has a church with Baroque and Mannerist styles. There is also a cloister (an open courtyard) surrounded by other buildings. The church tower is very noticeable. It is the best-preserved part of the building. You can also see a stone baptismal font from the old sanctuary. There's also a colorful carving that shows how the Virgin Mary was discovered.

In 2001, the Monasterio de Caños Santos was declared a "Bien de Interes Cultural" (a site of cultural interest). It sits on a natural viewpoint. Around it, there are chestnut, elm, and olive trees. Nearby, there is a cave where people believe the Virgin Mary appeared. This is why the convent is named after the springs there.