Alhama de Granada facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Alhama de Granada
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View over the gorge of Río Alhama
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 Alhama de Granada
Location in Province of Granada
Alhama de Granada
Location in Andalusia
Alhama de Granada
Location in Spain
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| Country |  Spain |
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| Autonomous community |  Andalusia |
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| Province | Granada | ||
| Comarca | Alhama | ||
| Area | |||
| • Total | 433.50 km2 (167.38 sq mi) | ||
| Elevation | 895 m (2,936 ft) | ||
| Population
(2018)
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| • Total | 5,980 | ||
| • Density | 13.795/km2 (35.728/sq mi) | ||
| Demonyms | Alhameño, -ña; jameño, -ña | ||
| Time zone | UTC+1 (CET) | ||
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+2 (CEST) | ||
| Postal code |
18120
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Alhama de Granada is a small town in the province of Granada, Spain. It's about 50 kilometers (31 miles) from the city of Granada. The town's name comes from the Arabic word al-hammah, which means "the hot spring" or "thermal bath". This is because the town is famous for its natural hot springs.
Contents
History of Alhama de Granada
Alhama de Granada has a long and interesting history, especially because of its hot springs. People have used these warm waters for a very long time.
Ancient Baths and Roman Influence
There is clear proof that the Romans used the hot springs near the town. For a long time, people thought that Arabs built the first thermal baths here in the 15th century. However, a local historian named Salvador Raya Retamero believes that the very first baths were actually built by the Romans. The bathhouse that still exists today, built in the Almohade style from the 12th century, is a great example of how Arabs built their baths.
The Fall of Alhama
In 1482, the town was a strong fortress. It was taken from the Moorish rulers of Granada by the Catholic Monarchs of Spain. Alhama was very important because it was located between the cities of Málaga and Granada. The Moors loved the town and its hot springs. When the town was lost in battle, the Moorish Sultan Abu Al-Hacen cried out, "¡Ay de mi Alhama!" This phrase means "Oh, my Alhama!" and became a Spanish saying for deep regret. The fall of Alhama de Granada was a key moment in the conquest of the Kingdom of Granada, which led to a new Christian era in the region.
The Hot Springs Today
Under the vaulted (arched) roof of the old baths, the oldest warm spring of Alhama de Granada still bubbles up. Beautiful horseshoe arches were built over the Roman structures. The roof has star-shaped openings that let sunlight filter in. A newer hot spring was found in 1884, many centuries after a big earthquake.
Notable People and Disasters
Eleno de Céspedes was born into slavery in Alhama de Granada around 1545. She later became possibly the first female surgeon in Spain, and maybe even in Europe.
Alhama de Granada was hit very hard by the 1884 Andalusian earthquake. Many people died or were injured. More than 70% of the houses in the town collapsed, and another 15% were badly damaged. The older parts of the town suffered less than the newer areas. In 1975, the nearby town of Ventas de Zafarraya became part of Alhama de Granada.
Tourism and Activities
Alhama de Granada offers amazing views and lots of things to do, especially for nature lovers.
Natural Beauty and Outdoor Fun
The town has spectacular views of the Sierra Nevada mountains. The Sierras of Tejeda, Almijara and Alhama Natural Park is just a few kilometers to the south. Alhama is also close to Arenas del Rey, which is next to the large Bermajales lake. This lake is surrounded by forests of poplars and Mediterranean black pines. The reservoir was built between 1947 and 1954. It has sandy beaches, safe swimming areas, and is great for non-motorized water sports like kayaking. There are also cafes by the lake, and many people enjoy barbecuing there.
Local Culture and Festivals
Alhama has many bars where you can enjoy coffee and toast in the morning. For lunch, many bars offer a "menu del día," which is a good-value, freshly made three-course meal. In the Granada region, it's a tradition that almost all bars give you a free tapas (small snack) with every drink you order!
The town also has many festivals throughout the year:
- January 5th: On Three Kings' Day, there's a small parade where candies are thrown to children.
- February 2nd: The town celebrates "Candelaria," a medieval festival. Small fires are lit, and wine and food are shared with visitors.
- February: There's a growingly popular wine festival and two weekends of carnival celebrations.
- Easter (Semana Santa): There are special processions.
- Summer: A full program of cultural events, most of which are free.
- June and September: Two "ferias" (fairs) mark the start and end of summer.
The town also has public sports facilities, including an outdoor swimming pool that is open in the summer.
Population Changes
The population of Alhama de Granada has changed over the years. The chart below shows how the number of people living in the town has varied from 1877 to 2010.
See also
In Spanish: Alhama de Granada para niños
