Discover Alhambra: History, Landscape and Holiday Apartments

Alhambra showcases architectural history, museums, landscapes and trails. Castillo de Alhambra has an oval layout adapted to the terrain. When planning a holiday apartment in Alhambra, you can weigh up culture, landscapes, trails and festivals as different focal points.

Culture

The Archaeological Museum of Alhambra displays prehistoric tools, Iberian pottery, Roman remains and medieval elements. More than 900 artefacts are presented in 14 chronologically arranged display cases, supplemented by 15 educational panels. The museum is open year-round on Sundays from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

The Municipal Archaeological Museum offers a chronological tour through more than 4,000 years of history and is located in the Centro Social building. The Ethnographic Museum reconstructs a typical kitchen from La Mancha with traditional cooking utensils. Four sections cover agriculture, other crafts, a typical kitchen and further collections; visits require an appointment in advance.

History

Castillo de Alhambra is protected as an Asset of Cultural Interest; the regional register entry is dated 18 December 1991. The Church of San Bartolomé is a medieval sacred building from the 13th century on Plaza de España and has a Renaissance portal as its main entrance.

The parish church of San Bartolomé Apóstol preserves two altarpieces and a tabernacle from the 15th century with a low relief and lacquer decoration. Its square tower has three storeys and four surviving bells.

The Visigothic necropolis of Las Eras contains graves carved directly into sandstone. It is designated as a 6th-century archaeological site and is a significant early medieval burial complex in the comarca, which can be visited freely. Estimates suggest that it may have contained around 200 early medieval graves; 24 of them have been archaeologically excavated.

Landscape

A total of 206.79 hectares of the municipality of Alhambra belong to the Parque Natural de las Lagunas de Ruidera nature park. The Mirador de la Gorgotija offers extensive views to the south, east and west; from there, the Visigothic necropolis, the Umayyad castle and Cueva de la Cancana can be seen. The Mirador del Calvario offers a wide view over the plain of La Mancha.

Trails

The route to the Cuevas de Huelma initially follows an artificial canal and then leads into a limestone gorge with lush vegetation and caves; one of them is accessible. La Calera y el Lobillo crosses the Arroyo de Alhambra and runs along the remains of an old Roman road.

The Cañada Real Conquense passes through Alhambra and is locally known as Los Serranos in Campo de Montiel. The Sierra de Alhambra route reaches the highest point of the mountain range at 1,087 metres. La Lagunilla is suitable for hiking or cycling.

Annual Events

The Jornadas Íbero-Romanas Laminitanas take place every year in August. The festivities in honour of San Bartolomé last from 23 to 27 August and include religious events, sports competitions, cultural events and traditional celebrations. On the eve of San Antón, fires are lit in several streets, especially on Plaza Mayor; San Antón pastries are then distributed.

Other Places

Other places on the same regional level are Montiel, Puebla De Don Rodrigo, Terrinches, Villanueva de San Carlos, Socuéllamos, Arenales De San Gregorio, Argamasilla De Alba and Torralba De Calatrava.

To the higher-level travel overview: Ciudad Real.