The ideal city in Extremadura for an autumn getaway: hot springs, hikes and nature

With the arrival of autumn, several territories stand out for the natural gems they shelter and the activities they offer, which become a perfect option for planning a weekend. Several cities in Spain represent excellent opportunities to enjoy a short break and discover everything they have to offer, from thermal spas to nature hiking routes.

In the province of Badajoz, Extremadura, a small town located just 22 kilometers from Mérida – the capital of the autonomous community -, is an interesting alternative to spend a few days and discover the secrets that the place hides. It is none other than Alange, in the Tierra de Mérida-Vegas Bajas region, a small town with a big history.

Story of Alange

Archaeological excavations date the human presence on the lands of Alange to the Lower Paleolithic, even if the first core could date from the Bronze Age, of which various remains have been found. However, the enclave has acquired particular importance since Roman times, 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 city played an important role in the struggle of the distinguished Mozarab rebels against the central power exercised from Cordoba. This was mainly due to the fact that Alange occupied one of the obligatory stopping points on the central road that led to Badajoz from the capital Cordoba.

At the beginning of the 14th century, the town of Alange was given to the Order of Santiago, a religious and military group that emerged centuries ago and was responsible for 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 this time that the town began to lose its historical importance, until at the end of the 18th century the thermal baths, 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, but with the particularity 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 believed that this wonder 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 city, at the foot of Cerro de la Mesilla, and are distinguished by the healing properties of their waters.

Currently, there is no data that proves that after the Romans, civilizations like the Arabs or the 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 city’s most notable monuments is the Lavadero, which dates from 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 fulfilled in the past as a nerve center, clothes washing area and drying room.

The commune of Alange also has several religious and military monuments from different periods. One of the largest and oldest is Culebra Castle, a fortress built by the Arabs in the 9th century. This not only served as a checkpoint for the passage of the Via de Plata, but from there military movements were also organized, such as the uprisings that the city of Mérida led against the capital Córdoba during the Muslim era.

The castle therefore belonged to Arabs and Christians at different times and times, until it definitively belonged to the Order of Santiago in 1243. Later it was abandoned, along with the Torre del Tribute or the one of its entrances, the so-called Puerta del Sol.

On the other hand, it is not the only historical construction 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:

The town of Alange is also surrounded by a wide variety of green spaces, making it an ideal enclave for hiking or mountaineering activities to discover the nature of Extremadura. Here it is possible to enjoy a large number of routes and trails; one of the most remarkable for the history it contains is that of Ibn Marwan.

Itinerary Ibn Marwan

The Ibn Marwan route is an ancient road about 3 kilometers long and an estimated duration of 2 hours, perfect to do in autumn. The road is notable for the history that precedes it, since in 875 a revolt was organized against the Emir of Cordoba led by Ibn Marwan – who gives his name to the road.

However, the uprising did not last long, since after three months of resistance to 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 go up to Calle Castillo. Once there, you must follow the path that leads to the water reservoirs. Along the way, it is possible to access the cisterns where the rebels defended themselves for months.

The path continues through the castle, from where it is possible to enjoy stunning panoramic views and imagine and recreate the experiences soldiers had centuries ago. Once you have seen the monument, you will have to go down along the remains of an old road which continues parallel to the wall. After this, the path joins the water tank path again to finish where it started, until reaching the starting point again.

However, this is not the only route that can be traveled throughout the space, since Alange has several options to enjoy hiking routes. Some of the most notable are: