The Iberian Peninsula presents a wide variety of singularities throughout its territory. From ancient forests and impressive waterfalls to rugged mountains and cliffs, Spain is home to a huge number of towns, places and fields to discover.
Thus, the autonomous community of Castile-La Mancha stands out not only for the natural jewels it shelters, but also for its villages steeped in history in which time seems to have completely stood still. The municipality of Brihuega, in the province of Guadalajara, is one of these remarkable places; endowed with vast fields and precious monuments which make it an ideal alternative for lovers of rural tourism.
Whether for its vast lavender production or its underground labyrinth filled with caves and tunnels, visiting Brihuega represents a magical opportunity to discover all that the municipality of La Mancha has to offer. Therefore, knowing its history and some of the main places of interest is essential to organize a comprehensive trip that you can fully enjoy.
History of Brihuega
The history of the municipality of Brihuega is closely linked to that of Spain, because due to the strategic location in which it is located, the town has been the scene of some of the most important battles in the country. Although Iberian villages and ancient archaeological remains have been discovered, it was not until the Middle Ages that the city began to gain great notoriety.
So much so that Alfonso VI – before being crowned monarch – remained in the city after fleeing the court due to problems with his father. This is why after the conquest of Toledo – and already being king – he donated the city to the Archbishopric of Toledo, which made Brihuega an enclave comparable to some of the most important in the territory.
Years later, in 1710 and after comings and goings between the archbishopric and King Philip II, the commune was the scene of two conflicts during the War of the Spanish Succession; the assault on Brihuega and the Battle of the Villaviciosa de Tajuña Fields a day later, which marked the beginning of the Bourbon dynasty on the Spanish throne. In the same way, during the Civil War, the municipality was occupied by the troops of Fascist Italy, who faced the Republican Army in 1937, being one of the most mentioned conflicts throughout the conflict.
The Brihuega Caves
One of the main attractions of the municipality of Brihuega are its Arab caves. Located in the Plaza del Coso, they were built between the 10th and 11th centuries and consist of more than 8 kilometers of galleries and labyrinthine tunnels that run throughout the entire subsoil of Briocense.
The passages were used in times of siege, as they had external emergency exits which allowed communication with the castle and escape to the outside of the walls. Additionally, the caves were used as food storehouses, as they have a constant ambient temperature of 12 degrees Celsius.
Currently the passages have a small sample of approximately 700 meters prepared to be visited in their entirety, allowing an experience similar to that of the inhabitants of the time.
The lavender fields of Brihuega
Another of the main attractions of Brihuega are the vast lavender fields that it has. The town has crops that exceed a thousand hectares of plantations, which makes it both a visual and sensory spectacle.
The lavender fields can be visited freely since they are open all year round, although it is also possible to take a guided tour of the land. However, these only take place on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays in July, when the lavender is still in bloom.
Heritage of the city of Brihuega
Given its marked history, the municipality of Brihuega has a great religious, civil and cultural heritage. One of the most notable monuments in the area is the Peña Bermeja Castle, located south of the urban center and of Muslim origin.
This surrounds part of the town of Brihuega with its walls – which date from the 11th and 12th centuries – and faithfully represents the passage of the years and the multitude of conflicts that the town has experienced. Likewise, the monument still has two of its gates standing, the one with the Cozagón arch and the Puerta de la Cadena. Currently the building is used as a municipal cemetery. It is also possible to enjoy other civil and military monuments such as:
- The Brihuega bullring.
- The Royal Cloth Factory.
- The remains of the Ibarra Palace.
- The Roll or Picota.
On the other hand, in the old town, declared a historical and artistic complex in 1973, there are three churches from the 13th century; the Church of San Felipe, that of San Miguel and that of Santa María de la Peña. Furthermore, it is also possible to visit the Franciscan convent of San José and the remains of the ancient church of San Simón.
