With the arrival of autumn, several territories stand out for the natural gems they house and the activities they offer, which become a perfect option for planning a weekend getaway. Several towns in Spain represent great opportunities to enjoy a short trip and discover everything they have to offer, from spas to hiking routes in natural environments.
Within the province of Badajoz, in Extremadura, a small town just 22 kilometers from Mérida – the capital of the autonomous community -, stands as an interesting alternative to spend a few days and discover the secrets that the location hides. This is none other than Alange, in the Tierra de Mérida-Vegas Bajas region, a small town with great history.
History of Alange
Archaeological surveys date the human presence in the lands of Alange from the Lower Paleolithic, although the first core may date from the Bronze Age, of which various remains have been found. Even so, the enclave gains special importance from the Roman era, when it began to establish itself as a power thanks to the waters of its thermal baths, considered medicinal.
Some time later, during the Arab occupation of the peninsula, the town played an important role in the fight of the Mozarabic rebels from Emeritus against the central power exercised from Córdoba. This was mainly because Alange occupied one of the obligatory stopping points during the central route that led to Badajoz from the capital of Córdoba.
At the beginning of the 14th century, the town of Alange was entrusted to the Order of Santiago, a religious and military group that emerged centuries ago and was in charge of expelling Muslims and Jews from the Iberian Peninsula. In this way, the enclave became part of the Province of León for a time, until in 1566 King Philip II granted them the Privilege of First Instance Jurisdiction.
It was at that time that the town began to lose historical relevance, until at the end of the 18th century the baths – which had been abandoned after the Roman occupation – were restored and put back into use.
What to see in Alange
The town of Alange has a varied history, with occupations and reconquests, similar to that of other peninsular enclaves, although with the peculiarity of having one of the most important thermal baths in the entire Spanish territory. Thus, these were declared a National Monument in the 1930s and a World Heritage Site by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in 1993.
Although it is estimated that this wonder already existed some time before, the first documents date it to the time of the Roman emperors Trajan and Hadrian, in the 3rd century. These are located in the lower part of the town, at the foot of Cerro de la Mesilla, and stand out for the healing properties of their waters.
Currently, there is no data to prove that after the Romans, civilizations such as the Arabs or Christians took advantage of the facilities, which were definitively restored for public use at the beginning of the 19th century, when the current building was completed.
Another of the town’s most notable monuments is the Lavadero, which dates back to the beginning of the 20th century and is located near the spa. Currently, the enclave has been rehabilitated as a Water Interpretation Center, thus leaving aside the functions it performed in the past as a nerve center, clothes washing area and drying room.
The town of Alange also has several religious and military monuments from different periods. One of the most relevant and oldest is the Culebra Castle, a fortress built by the Arabs in the 9th century. This not only served as a control point for the Vía de Plata crossing, but from there military movements were also organized, such as the uprisings that the city of Mérida carried out against the capital of Córdoba during the Muslim era.
The castle has thus belonged to both Arabs and Christians at different times and periods of time, until it definitively belonged to the Order of Santiago in the year 1243. Later it was abandoned, with the Torre del Tribute or one of the entrances to it, the so-called Puerta del Sol.
On the other hand, this is not the only historical construction that is preserved in the enclave, since today it is still possible to visit several religious monuments, such as hermitages or churches. Some of the most relevant are:
- Hermitage of San Gregorio
- Hermitage of San Bartolome
- Church of Our Lady of Miracles
- Moorish Garden of the Jabata Valley
The town of Alange is also surrounded by a wide variety of green areas, making it an ideal enclave for hiking or mountaineering activities in which to discover Extremaduran nature. Here it is possible to enjoy a large number of routes and paths; one of the most notable for the history it houses is that of Ibn Marwan.
Ibn Marwan Route
The Ibn Marwan route is an ancient route approximately 3 kilometers long and an estimated duration of 2 hours, perfect to do during the fall. The road stands out for the history that precedes it, since in the year 875 a revolt was organized against the Emir of Córdoba led by Ibn Marwan – who gives its name to the road.
However, the uprising did not last long, since after three months resisting the siege of the Emir’s army, the rebels signed a peace agreement, abandoning the Alange fortress in which they were hiding.
The route begins at the Tourist Office, from where you will have to ascend until you reach Calle Castillo. Once there, it is necessary to follow the path that leads to the water tanks. Along the way it is possible to access the cisterns where the rebels defended themselves for months.
The path continues throughout the castle, from which it is possible to enjoy great panoramic views and imagine and recreate the experiences lived by soldiers centuries ago. Once you have seen the monument, it will be necessary to descend along the remains of an old road that continues parallel to the wall. After that, the path joins the path of the water tank again to finish where it started, until reaching the starting point again.
However, this is not the only route that can be enjoyed throughout the space, since Alange has several options to enjoy hiking routes. Some of the most notable are:
- The Jabata Valley path, 6.5 kilometers long and 2 hours long.
- The Sailor Moon route, 5 kilometers long and 2 hours long.
- The Rock Art Route, 7 kilometers long and 2 and a half hours long.
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