Alhama de Almería towns in almeria Andalucia, Spain. Descriptions and photographs. Almeria

Alhama de Almería

Distance to the capital (Km): 25
Local Inhabitants: Alhameños
Number of Inhabitants: 3,438
Postal Code: 04400

The pleasant spa town of Alhama de Almería, sometimes known as the watchtower of the Andarax valley, lies in the foothills of the Sierra de Gádor, surrounded by both irrigated land producing grapes and, in contrast, by arid semi-desert.
Its narrow streets, flat roofed houses, the remains of a fort and Arabic baths point to its Moorish past but there is evidence that, in earlier times, the Romans too exploited the medicinal waters. During the last quarter of the 19th century economic development brought workers to the nearby mining areas and, on the agricultural front, the cultivation of Ohanes grapes was introduced. The resulting prosperity gave rise to the construction of the spa and today the town is served well by hotels. It also has the bonus of a municipal swimming pool, in a shady area, close to a cascade that tumbles down the rocks, at the western end of the town.

Places of Interest
Parish church of San Nicolás de Bari, 18th century
The tiny, domed Hermitages of San Marcos, las Ánimas del Purgatorio and Santa Cruz.
Decididos Square and Casino
Roman bridge
Ancestral homes and cave houses

Festivals
Livestock fair, 25th April
Festival of the Crosses, 3rd May
Festival of St Anthony, 13th June
Summer Festival, second half of July
Festival of the Virgen del Rio, 15th August
Festivals of St Nicholas of Bari and the Purísima Concepción, 5-8th December

Gastronomy
Kid with garlic. Turnip stew. Gachas saladas (made with flour, tomato, garlic, fish and peppers).
Sweets: Almond and honey cakes. Almond meringue puffs. Easter ring-shaped cakes.

Town Hall
Tel 950 601 020
Email al011sec@dipalme.org