Nicomedes Cortés Español: Healer of Souls, Photographer of Memories

In Alpuente, we cherish the memory of those distinguished residents who left an indelible mark on our history. Among them is Nicomedes Cortés Español, a fascinating figure who combined his passion for medicine with extraordinary sensitivity through the lens of his camera.

From the Seminary to the Fields of Alpuente

A native of our town, Nicomedes began his studies at the seminary in Segorbe, though he eventually decided to switch to medical school in Valencia. Married to Carolina Herrero, with whom he raised a large family of 12 children, he practiced as a resident physician in Alpuente, La Yesa, and later in Puerto de Sagunto.

Years later, in the 1930s, he returned to Alpuente, where he passed away in 1938. His unconditional dedication to the sick—especially during the 1918 Spanish flu epidemic—was recognized with the Cross of Charity.

An Invaluable Visual Legacy

Thanks to the valuable collection of documents and photographs donated by his grandson Rodrigo Cortés and other relatives, today we can catch a glimpse of Alpuente as it once was through his snapshots. His camera captured:

• Traditions and festivals: Religious ceremonies, processions, the erection of arches, and streets decked out for the festivities in honor of the Virgin of Consolation.

• Everyday portraits: His closest circle and his own family—the subjects of much of his work—as well as Civil Guards, clergy, teachers, and the neighbors he cared for in his medical practice.

Glass Plates: Windows into the Past

At the heart of this archive lies a collection of glass negative plates, coated with silver bromide gelatin. Thanks to the meticulous restoration work of Rafael de Luis Casademunt, these pieces transport us directly to the dawn of the 20th century.

This is an exceptional visual record of a rural society that no longer exists, divided into three main themes:

1. Landscapes and Architecture: Alpuente and its villages, featuring unique corners and details that have not survived the passage of time.

2. Festive life: A reflection of a community devoted to celebrating its most solemn traditions.

3. Social Portraits: Intimate snapshots that bring local history to life.

Alpuente, Alive in Its Images

Nicomedes Cortés’s passion and vision remain very much alive today thanks to the exhibitions that Alpuente periodically dedicates to him. His photographs are not only a historical record but also an open invitation to travel back in time and discover what life was like in our rural town at the beginning of the last century.