Discover Alía: Culture, Nature and Trails in Extremadura
At the highest point of Alía stands the Iglesia de Santa Catalina, which dominates the Plaza de Dos Bonillas. Local tradition places a former castle on this site. Quartzite and slate characterize the church’s masonry, while brick was used especially for the arches and other elements inside. The Iglesia de Santa Catalina is considered a 15th-century building and has preserved its original structures almost completely. It is also regarded as probably the most significant example of religious Mudéjar art in Extremadura.
Culture and Townscape
The townscape of Alía shows a strong influence from the Arab-inspired architectural traditions of villages. The town’s features include flower-filled courtyards, some of which are privately owned and others used communally. The Ermita de la Concepción is an old chapel that has been rebuilt several times over the course of time. On 15 August, it is venerated between midnight and 2 a.m.; believers call this custom “Los buenos días” for the Virgin.
Museums and Crafts
The C.I. de la Naturaleza Joaquín Araujo comprises a reception area and three thematic rooms. They focus on Alía and the Geopark, geotopes and flora, wildlife, hunting and audiovisual content. The ground floor of the Alía Silo Museum Centre hosts conferences, exhibitions by local artists, environmental exhibitions, and exhibitions on the origins and customs of Alía and its hamlets. Admission to the Alía Silo Museum Centre is free and includes a guided tour. Tours last 1 hour and 15 minutes and are accessible to people with reduced mobility.
The Centro de Interpretación de la Cal provides an interactive explanation of the historical importance of lime-making for the local population, as well as the connection between mining sites and the geology of the surrounding area. The main group of the Hornos de la Calera lies just a few steps from the settlement and comprises five lime kilns, one of which is almost completely intact. The Lime Kilns Interpretation Centre in La Calera features numerous information panels and audiovisual materials.
Trails and Pilgrimage Routes
The Ruta Alia a Guadalupe por GR-116 passes through the dehesas of Alía, crosses the Guadalupejo River, climbs to the rañas and continues through gorges into the mountains of Guadalupe. In Alía, the Camino Natural de Las Villuercas runs from Puerto de San Vicente to Puerto Llano and has a branch leading to Guadalupe. At 70 kilometres long and divided into several sections, this long-distance trail has an easy to moderate difficulty level.
The Por las Dehesas trail is suitable for all groups, very level and also accessible by bicycle and on horseback. Alía brings together several pilgrimage routes to the Monastery of Guadalupe, including the Camino de los Montes de Toledo, the Camino de la Jara and the Camino de Cabañeros. The Ruta Molinos de Guadalupejo follows the works and historic facilities along the river mills; preserved mills, water channels and millstones can be seen. The Puente Viejo del río Guadalupejo has been largely rebuilt, can be crossed on foot without major problems and can be visited along the local Ruta de los Molinos de Alía. The different types of paths, route characteristics and modes of transport provide several ways to explore Alía on foot, by bicycle, on horseback or along pilgrimage routes.
Nature and Protected Areas
The cliffs of the Estrecho de la Peña provide refuge mainly for griffon vultures, as well as Egyptian vultures and black storks. The Lorera de la Trucha comprises more than 1,500 loro trees, forming a mixed riverside forest. A large part of the wider Alía area is protected or designated through bird protection, ecological corridor, ecological heritage, geological heritage and protected-tree designations, as well as through five significant geotopes in the Villuercas Ibores Jara Geopark.
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