Alhama de Aragón | |
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 View of Alhama de Aragón | |
 Flag  Coat of arms | |
  Alhama de Aragón | |
| Coordinates:41°17′47.9″N1°53′38.5″W / 41.296639°N 1.894028°W /41.296639; -1.894028 | |
| Country |  Spain |
| A. community |  Aragón |
| Province |  Zaragoza |
| Government | |
| • Mayor | María Pilar Marco |
| Area | |
• Total | 31.14 km2 (12.02 sq mi) |
| Population (January 1, 2021) | |
• Total | 996 |
| • Density | 31.98/km2 (82.8/sq mi) |
| Time zone | UTC+01:00 |
| Postal code | 50230 |
| MCN | 50020 |
| Website | Official website |
Alhama de Aragón is a spa town located in theprovince of Zaragoza,Aragon, Spain, situated on the riverJalón, a tributary of theEbro. According to the 2004census (INE), the municipality has a population of 1,150 inhabitants.
Principal industries are thebalnearios (spa hotels) and a lighting factory. There are extensive fruit farms and some wine-making in the area.
The town is served by railway services toArcos de Jalón andCalatayud, where there is a connection to the high speedAVE trains betweenMadrid andBarcelona.
The 1957 filmLos jueves, milagro (Every Thursday a Miracle), byLuis García Berlanga, starringRichard Basehart was filmed in the pueblo. Set in the fictional village of Fuentecilla, the story concerns a plot by local business men to revive the business of the spas by staging a miraculous appearance by San Dimas every Thursday evening.[1]
The town has been known for over two thousand years, primarily because of the hot springs of the area. TheRoman poetMartial refers to its pre-Roman name asCongedus.
O you, whose name must not be left untold by Celtiberian nations, you the honour of our common country, Spain, you, Licinianus, will behold the lofty Bilbilis, renowned for horses and arms, and Catus venerable with his locks of snow, and eased Vadavero with ita broken cliffs, and the sweet grove of delicious Botrodus, which the happy Pomona loves. You will breast the gently-flowing water of the warm Congedus and the calm lakes of the Nymphs.[2]
In the Roman era, it became known asAquae Bilbilitanorum, a reference to the waters ofAugusta Bilbilis, the Latin name for Calatayud. The modern name derives from theArabicAl-Hammam, meaning "the baths". An Arab fortress was captured byEl Cid in 1070, but it then reverted toMoorish control until re-captured by kingAlfonso I of Aragón in 1122.[3]
In the ensuing three centuries the town was disputed by the rulers ofCastille and Aragon, finally becoming part of the latter in 1457. In the nineteenth century, the hot springs were exploited and severalbalnearios were built, four remaining in operation and popular with visitors today.[3] During theSpanish Civil War, Alhama was quickly occupied bythe Nationalists.[4] DuringWorld War II, some escapedAllied prisoners or war were interned in the town, along with airmen who crashed in or near Spain.[5][6]
A unique thermal lake of nearly two hectares is open throughout the year in the grounds of Balneario Termas Pallarés.[7] The water is a constant temperature of 34 °C. The famousCistercian abbey ofMonasterio de Piedra with its water gardens lies approximately 25 kilometres to the south-west. The city ofCalatayud which has famousmudéjar church towers is about 35 kilometres to the north east. Other examples ofmudéjar art can be found in neighbouring villages.
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