Alhama de Aragón

Alhama de Aragón, located in the province of Zaragoza, Aragon, Spain, is a spa town positioned along the Jalón River, a tributary of the Ebro. The 2004 census of the National Statistics Institute (INE) shows 1,150 people living in this municipality. The town’s historical importance, hot springs, and strategic location have shaped its character and economic growth throughout the years, therefore making it unique among central Spain.

Alhama de Aragón is a very beautiful and important geographic location. The town boasts a tiny harbor by which the Jalón River runs and is located at 664 meters above sea level. The thermal waters produced by a sequence of geological fissures in this area have attracted the town especially. The terrain is varied, with steep hills in the northern section of the municipality and significant peaks including Muela at 915 meters and Peña Melera at 917 meters. Between these mountains sits El Campillo, a large moorland. South of the Jalón River, the terrain shows different characteristics marked by a lot of streams and ravines in the surroundings.

Alhama de Aragón has a long history; evidence suggests that its hot baths were known and used since the Roman era. Referenced in the Antonine Itinerary and imperial records, the Roman toponym Aquae Bilbilitanorum points to early recognition of the thermal potential of the area. This historical relationship was strengthened when historians—including Cea Bermúdez—recorded the discovery of remains of Roman baths in the 19th century.

The Bilbilitan poet Martial notes that the town’s pre-Roman name is probably Congedus. Alhama comes from the Arabic era, more precisely from Al-Hammam, meaning “the baths.” The language development shows the town’s ongoing relationship to its thermal waters. Concrete links to this Arabic legacy are two ancient pools, the Baño del Moro and the Baño de la Mora, hewn from rock and nourished by several warm springs.

Alhama de Aragón‘s intricate medieval history clearly reveals its strategic importance. One of the areas taken by the famed El Cid Campeador in 1081, a major event noted in the epic poem “Cantar del Mío Cid,” the town was after taking Calatayud, Alfonso I formally returned the town for the Christian nations only in 1122, following Muslim dominance. Alhama became a contested site between Castilian and Aragonese forces in the next centuries, changing possession numerous times during wars including the War of the Two Pedros in the 14th century and the clashes between Alfonso V of Aragon and John II of Castile in the 15th century. With the peace treaty of 1454, Alhama de Aragón was permanently incorporated into the Crown of Aragon.

For Alhama de Aragón, the 19th century was a turning point since it started the methodical use of its thermal waters. Published in 1845, Pascual Madoz‘s Geographical-Statistical-Historical Dictionary of Spain presents a thorough picture of the town in this age. According to the book, there are thirty to forty mineral water springs in the area; special focus is on the main fountain serving the area. With a Gothic-style parish church dedicated to the Nativity of Our Lady as its main religious structure, the town consisted of 120 homes arranged along two streets and three small squares at that period.

Alhama de Aragón‘s spa hotels and manufacturing factory for lights help to sustain its economy mostly. Comprising eight springs offering bicarbonate, calcium, nitrogen, arsenicical, hyperthermal, and radioactive waters, the thermal waters form the main resource available to the community. Special to Spain, the hot lake covers over two hectares and features two islands, which are rather noteworthy. The lake offers a special natural spa experience with its inflow of glistening clean waters kept at a steady 34°C.

Apart from its thermal draw-on, Alhama de Aragón has great cultural legacy. The town is known for its ceramic legacy, but without younger generations involved, this craft is under danger of extinction. With the Church of the Nativity of Our Lady as one prominent example, the local architecture perfectly captures the various past of the area. Expanded in 1714, this Baroque temple from the 17th century features a Mudejar-style tower and intricate plasterwork that best illustrates the blending of Christian and Islamic creative traditions.

On Serratilla hill near the outskirts of the town, the notable site known as the Castle of Alhama de Aragón stands. Originating in the 12th century, this fortification has a rectangular design and an oval-shaped walled enclosure; the keep most certainly added in the 14th century. Acting as a watchful construction, the castle records the rich historical tale of the town and keeps an eye on it.

Alhama de Aragón has become a hub for contemporary industries in recent years. A prominent producer of waterproof luminaires, ZALUX has been in business in the town since the late 1980s. Now employing almost 300 people worldwide, the company has expanded its manufacturing to include LED luminaires. Alhama‘s traditional economy and the modern industrial scene are linked by ZALUX, a member of the German TRILUX Group and one of the biggest manufacturers of lighting equipment worldwide.

Alhama de Aragón‘s accessibility and development have been aided by its geographical location and transport links. The town has rail links to Calatayud and Arcos de Jalón; the latter provides access to fast AVE trains connecting Madrid and Barcelona. By traversing the municipality between kilometers 206 and 208, the Northeast freeway increases its connectivity to important metropolitan cities. Alhama de Aragón offers visitors and locals a mix of rural beauty and urban convenience located 28 kilometers from Calatayud and 111 kilometers from Zaragoza.