Thermal springs, riverside scenery, and cultural heritage give Alhama de Aragón a distinctive character. The Jalón is revitalized here by the inflow of thermal waters; meanwhile, the history of the Baños Viejos de San Roque dates back to 1122. Visitors planning a stay can combine nature and thermal history with the town’s buildings and cultural offerings.
Thermal Springs and the Valley
Near Alhama de Aragón, the Jalón Valley narrows into a broad canyon. Springs, orchards, riverside woodlands, and pine forests are all part of the landscape. The river and the thermal springs are two sides of the same story: the inflow of warm spring water makes the Jalón “come alive again” at Alhama. This gives the landscape a special connection between water and thermal heritage.
This story also has a geological dimension. The “Thermal Springs and Geological Structure in Alhama de Aragón” area includes a large thermal lake with an average depth of 1.5 meters and a maximum size of 140 by 80 meters. These measurements give the lake a definite scale and complement the canyon and river with a natural setting of its own.
The history of the thermal springs includes the Baños del Moro y de la Mora. They lie in a hollow in the limestone and are among the original Baños Viejos de San Roque, dating from 1122. Here, a described natural feature and a historic bath come together: the town’s thermal heritage can be explored through both the river and springs and the historic baths.
Castle, Church, and Cultural History
The Castle of Alhama de Aragón preserves a tower within an oval fortification. The structure stands on the rocky Serratilla promontory above the town. Its form and location offer a tangible starting point for anyone interested in the historic design of castles. The castle is one of the castles of Aragon classified as Bienes de Interés Cultural (Assets of Cultural Interest).
The Church of the Nativity of the Most Holy Virgin also brings architecture and cultural heritage together. The “Mudéjar Survivals in the Church of the Nativity of the Most Holy Virgin” are protected as listed cultural heritage of Aragon. The church also houses a monumental polychrome altarpiece dating from 1657 to 1668; other altarpieces date from the 17th and 18th centuries. This provides a distinct cultural focus alongside the thermal and landscape history.
The 16th-century Casa Palacio at Plaza de Joaquín Costa 4 brings several visitor services together under one roof: the tourist information office is on the ground floor, and the C.I. José Luis Sampedro is also established there as a permanent cultural center. It is dedicated to the writer’s life and work. Ceramics and pottery from the well-known local workshops are also on display. The cultural scene thus ranges from the castle and religious art to literature and local ceramics.
Plan Your Visit and Travel Dates
The tourist information office provides visitors with information about the main attractions in Alhama de Aragón and the surrounding area. Its opening hours may vary by season, so check the current hours before your visit. This is especially useful if you are planning around a particular attraction or a set date.
One such date is the annual festival in honor of San Roque, held from August 13 to 17. The program includes traditional games, parades, fire bulls, bullfighting events, and an offering of flowers and fruit. When choosing your travel dates, you can make these festival days a cultural highlight of your trip.
Discover more destinations: Pinseque, Berrueco, Mesones De Isuela, Cerveruela, Cabañas De Ebro, Tarazona, Cadrete, Quinto.
For the main travel overview: Zaragoza.
