Alhama de Aragón is a spa town located in the province of Zaragoza, Aragon, Spain, situated on the river Jalón, a tributary of the Ebro. According to the 2004 census (INE), the municipality has a population of 1,150 inhabitants.
The 1957 film Los jueves, milagro (Every Thursday a Miracle), by Luis García Berlanga, starring Richard 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. The Roman poet Martial refers to its pre-Roman name as Congedus.
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 as Aquae Bilbilitanorum, a reference to the waters of Augusta Bilbilis, the Latin name for Calatayud. The modern name derives from the ArabicAl-Hammam, meaning "the baths". An Arab fortress was captured by El Cid in 1070, but it then reverted to Moorish control until re-captured by king Alfonso I of Aragón in 1122.[3]
In the ensuing three centuries the town was disputed by the rulers of Castille and Aragon, finally becoming part of the latter in 1457. In the nineteenth century, the hot springs were exploited and several balnearios were built, four remaining in operation and popular with visitors today.[3] During the Spanish Civil War, Alhama was quickly occupied by the Nationalists.[4] During World War II, some escaped Allied prisoners or war were interned in the town, along with airmen who crashed in or near Spain.[5][6]
Attractionsedit
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 famous Cistercian abbey of Monasterio de Piedra with its water gardens lies approximately 25 kilometres to the south-west. The city of Calatayud which has famous mudéjar church towers is about 35 kilometres to the north east. Other examples of mudéjar art can be found in neighbouring villages.
Fiestasedit
La Virgen de las Candelas and San Blas, February 2–3
Pilgrimage (romerio) to the hermitage of San Gregorio, 2nd Sunday in May
Pilgrimage (romerio) to the hermitage of Santa Quiteria, May 22
^ "Martial, Epigrams. Book 1. Bohn's Classical Library (1897)". www.tertullian.org. from the original on 10 March 2009. Retrieved 2009-01-28.
^ ab"Translated version of www.alhamadearagon.es". translate.google.com. Retrieved 2009-01-28.
^Beevor, Antony (2001). The Spanish Civil War. Penguin. pp. 125–129. ISBN0-14-100148-8.
^"MI9 Report numbers". WWII Escape and Evasion Information Exchange. Retrieved 12 April 2013.
^"Escapers from Germany". WWII Escape and Evasion Information Exchange. Retrieved 12 April 2013.
^ . www.termaspallares.com. Archived from the original on 2 February 2009. Retrieved 28 January 2009.
April 11, 2024
alhama, aragón, town, located, province, zaragoza, aragon, spain, situated, river, jalón, tributary, ebro, according, 2004, census, municipality, population, inhabitants, municipalityview, flagsealcoordinates, 296639, 894028, 296639, 894028country, spaina, com. Alhama de Aragon is a spa town located in the province of Zaragoza Aragon Spain situated on the river Jalon a tributary of the Ebro According to the 2004 census INE the municipality has a population of 1 150 inhabitants Alhama de AragonMunicipalityView of Alhama de AragonFlagSealAlhama de AragonCoordinates 41 17 47 9 N 1 53 38 5 W 41 296639 N 1 894028 W 41 296639 1 894028Country SpainA community AragonProvince ZaragozaGovernment MayorMaria Pilar MarcoArea Total31 14 km2 12 02 sq mi Population January 1 2021 Total996 Density31 98 km2 82 8 sq mi Time zoneUTC 01 00Postal code50230MCN50020WebsiteOfficial websiteA thermal lake in the grounds of Termas Pallares in Alhama de Aragon Zaragoza Spain Principal industries are the balnearios 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 to Arcos de Jalon and Calatayud where there is a connection to the high speed AVE trains between Madrid and Barcelona The 1957 film Los jueves milagro Every Thursday a Miracle by Luis Garcia Berlanga starring Richard 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 Contents 1 History 2 Attractions 3 Fiestas 4 Notable people 5 Nearby 6 NotesHistory editThe town has been known for over two thousand years primarily because of the hot springs of the area The Roman poet Martial refers to its pre Roman name as Congedus 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 as Aquae Bilbilitanorum a reference to the waters of Augusta Bilbilis the Latin name for Calatayud The modern name derives from the Arabic Al Hammam meaning the baths An Arab fortress was captured by El Cid in 1070 but it then reverted to Moorish control until re captured by king Alfonso I of Aragon in 1122 3 In the ensuing three centuries the town was disputed by the rulers of Castille and Aragon finally becoming part of the latter in 1457 In the nineteenth century the hot springs were exploited and several balnearios were built four remaining in operation and popular with visitors today 3 During the Spanish Civil War Alhama was quickly occupied by the Nationalists 4 During World War II some escaped Allied prisoners or war were interned in the town along with airmen who crashed in or near Spain 5 6 Attractions editA unique thermal lake of nearly two hectares is open throughout the year in the grounds of Balneario Termas Pallares 7 The water is a constant temperature of 34 C The famous Cistercian abbey of Monasterio de Piedra with its water gardens lies approximately 25 kilometres to the south west The city of Calatayud which has famous mudejar church towers is about 35 kilometres to the north east Other examples of mudejar art can be found in neighbouring villages Fiestas editLa Virgen de las Candelas and San Blas February 2 3 Pilgrimage romerio to the hermitage of San Gregorio 2nd Sunday in May Pilgrimage romerio to the hermitage of Santa Quiteria May 22 San Roque August 14 17Notable people editPablo Luna Carne 1879 1942 famous composer of zarzuelas Angel Vicioso 1977 racing cyclistNearby editAriza Ateca Cetina Contamina Daroca GodojosNotes edit Jueves milagro Los 1957 Plot summary www imdb com Retrieved 2009 01 28 Martial Epigrams Book 1 Bohn s Classical Library 1897 www tertullian org Archived from the original on 10 March 2009 Retrieved 2009 01 28 a b Translated version of www alhamadearagon es translate google com Retrieved 2009 01 28 Beevor Antony 2001 The Spanish Civil War Penguin pp 125 129 ISBN 0 14 100148 8 MI9 Report numbers WWII Escape and Evasion Information Exchange Retrieved 12 April 2013 Escapers from Germany WWII Escape and Evasion Information Exchange Retrieved 12 April 2013 Balneario Termas Pallares Alhama de Aragon Zaragoza www termaspallares com Archived from the original on 2 February 2009 Retrieved 28 January 2009 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Alhama de Aragon amp oldid 1205883094, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
