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.JPG) Alcalá
del Júcar is located to the Northeast
of the province of Albacete, where the
River Júcar River leaves Castilla-La
Mancha. Before reaching Alcalá
del Júcar the river runs through
the Western part of La Mancha, an area
known as La Manchuela, with a
flat non descript rural landscape. However
on arriving in the area near Alcalá
del Júcar, the scenery becomes
quite rocky. This area is dominated
by shrubs, grass and pine trees and
its wildlife includes foxes, rabbits
and birds.
Alcalá del Júcar
The population of Alcalá del
Júcar is quite dispersed due
to its division into 6 areas: Alcalá
- 706 inhabitants; Las Eras - 325 inhabitants;
Casas del Cerro - 238 inhabitants; La
Gila - 73 inhabitants; Zulema - 75 habitantes
and Tolosa with only 27 inhabitants
The inhabitants work on the land, mostly
farming cereals such as wheat and barley.
There are also some olive groves and
fruit orchards. The few allotments that
exist near the river are mainly for
personal use rather than commercial
activities.
The village is a narrow peninsula surrounded
by the Júcar river. The hill
that overlooks the river has an Arabic
fortress on top with some very high
towers despite the fact that nature
has already given it a good defensive
positon.
You can see the different layers of
rock on the slopes of the river bank.
The houses in Alcalá are quite
curious, behind the front door you'll
find a large cave. The advantage they
have is that they stay cool in the summer
and warm during the winter.
There are other caves that were once
used as shelters, the most famous being
Agraden which according to local folklore
is named after the Arabic king who once
occupied it. Other historical remains
include polished axes found in Alcozarejo
and the TardoRoman cemetry.
Alcalá del Júcar has
an ancient church, San Andrés,
built between the 16th and 18th centuries
next to the Arabic fortress and the
main square, all that remain following
a fire in 1833 during the first Carlist
war. The 18th century bridge crossing
the Júcar river is also interesting.
Fiestas en Alcalá del Júcar:
The village holds its annual fiestas
in honour of San Lorenzo. During the
fiestas between the 8th and 15th August
there is a procession to the San Lorenz
hermitage.
What to eat in Alcalá del
Júcar:
In Alcalá del Júcar you
can eat very well in some charming places
- the old fashioned restaurants which
are set in caves in the hillside. Typical
dishes include partidge, goat's meat,gazpacho,
and pork.
Hotels near Alcalá del Júcar:
Parador
of Albacete, Parador
of Alarcón, Parador
of Cuenca.
How
to get to Alcalá del Júcar
Related links:
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