History
The area of Alhama de Granada has been inhabited since ancient times, with archaeological remains from the Neolithic period being found in the caves of La Mujer, del Agua, and de los Molinos, in various settlements distributed around the river. The evolution of Alhama began with the Roman settlement, located in the spa area. Some historians believe it may have been the city which Pliny the Elder called Artigi, although this is not certain. The thermal baths, later reused by the Arabs, date from this period; as well as the so-called Roman bridge and a section of an old road.
The evolution of Alhama began with the Roman settlement, located in the spa area. Some historians believe it may have been the city which Pliny the Elder called Artigi, although this is not certain. The thermal baths, later reused by the Arabs, date from this period; as well as the so-called Roman Bridge and a section of an old road.
Since the late ninth century, there is evidence of the present-day Alhama, which in Arabic means “hot spring” and takes its name from the thermal baths discovered by the Romans. During this period, the town was located on the hill overlooking the riverbanks that protected its eastern flank. The most vulnerable sides were fortified, and the old citadel, now lost, was built. Alhama reached its greatest historical significance during the period of the Nasrid Kingdom of Granada’s stronghold in the Late Middle Ages, when the city experienced a great commercial, economic and urban development boom, making it one of the most valuable treasures of the Kingdom of Granada, and also one of the most coveted assets for the armies commanded by the Catholic Monarchs.
Its capture by the armies of the Sovereigns of the Crown of Castile on February 28, 1482, in retaliation for the Nasrid capture of Zahara de la Sierra in 1481, marked the beginning of the Granada War. During the war, now in Castilian hands, Alhama suffered several sieges by Nasrid forces, all without success. During the third siege, between 1484 and 1485, the Mayor of Alhama, Íñigo López de Mendoza y Quiñones, ordered the use of paper money.
After the Christian Reconquista by Rodrigo Ponce de León y Núñez, the town square retained its strategic and economic importance. In 1486, Queen Isabella of Castile and King Fernando de Aragón appointed Hernán Pérez del Pulgar, by Royal Decree, Captain General of Alhama. This was a reward for his courage in leading a daring operation in 1482, in which he managed to evade the siege and reach Antequera to request help, avoiding the loss of Alhama, strategically located in the centre of the former Nasrid Kingdom.
Once the Reconquista was completed, significant changes began to take place in the appearance of the town. Mosques were replaced by churches; the old souks gave way to open plazas; new buildings were erected, taking advantage of the structure of older ones. In short, the architectural and artistic appearance changed, but it was enriched by the coexistence of styles. The Catholic Monarchs provided the city with new buildings, in keeping with the new civil and bureaucratic structure, awaiting the definitive conquest of the Kingdom of Granada.
After its heyday during the Middle Ages, Alhama fell into deep oblivion. Despite everything, it played a key role in a highly turbulent nineteenth century throughout the country, suffering the occupation by Napoleon’s French troops and the confiscations that affected some of its church properties. To culminate this historical period, a tragic misfortune would once again make the city and its surrounding area the centre of interest around the world: the terrible earthquake that struck on December 25, 1884, known as the Granada earthquake of 1884, which devastated the provinces of Granada and Málaga.
Until the municipal nomenclature reform of 1916, the municipality was simply called Alhama. On that date, its name was changed to Alhama de Granada. During the Spanish Civil War, on January 27, 1937, rebel troops entered the town, finding the village completely destroyed.
In 1975, the municipality of Ventas de Zafarraya was incorporated into that of Alhama de Granada.
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Tourist Office
Alhama de Granada tourist office 958 36 06 86.