La Alberca
La Alberca, nestled in the heart of the Sierra de Francia, is undoubtedly one of Spain's most representative towns. Declared a Historic-Artistic Site in 1940, making it the first town in Spain to achieve this title, its historic centre represents a strikingly well conserved example of the typical architecture of the Sierra de Francia, in addition to its centuries-old traditions, which have been transmitted from generation to generation.
If you walk quietly through the streets and squares of La Alberca, you will find yourself among attractive nooks and crannies offering a plethora of interesting perspectives, based on the traditional local architecture of stone and half-timbered houses.
Highlights include the chiselled lintels showing the dates the houses were built, with inscriptions, signs and religious anagrams, representing a visible profession of faith.
Each of the upper floors protrudes successively further out than the lower one, with the eaves of the roofs of opposing houses almost touching, to create a curious play of lights and shadows in the streets.
It has been said that the urban layout of La Alberca resembles that of a Jewish quarter, because of the intricate, labyrinthine mystery of its streets. Others visitors have associated it with the outskirts of Damascus.
Do not miss a visit to the town square, to marvel in its beauty. With its brightly whitewashed façades crossed by two series of balconies, its arcades and rows of granite columns, all presided over by the cross. It is, without a doubt, the central axis of La Alberca. La Alberca thus results from the union, over the centuries, of the Christian, Islamic and Judaic cultures.
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http://www.laalberca.com
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Curious and enthusiastic visitors, in pursuit of beauty, peace, tranquillity, walks and good food.
Beautiful and serene, La Alberca presents itself as a place of retreat where body and soul find a haven of peace away from the day-to-day noise and rush.
A walk through its streets transports us to times gone by, to other worlds: getting lost in its corners and squares is a must, and won't fail to delight those seeking picturesque landscapes, spectacular alleys of singular beauty, balanced façades and an interplay of light and shadows that are a feast for the eyes. The pig of San Anton that we encounter upon walking through the streets makes it clear that this is a place where ham is taken seriously, and out of nowhere our souls will recoil when we hear the tolling of the bell that announces that it is the time of the souls. Living traditions played out before our eyes.
The smells and tastes of this land will satisfy the most demanding palates and a walk through the mythical and legendary Las Batuecas valley will remind us that there are still exotic places of natural beauty to discover.
La Alberca bewitches anybody who comes to visit, welcomes everybody who wishes to enjoy its unique architecture, and extends its warm hospitality to all those who come here.
Place of customs, traditions and centuries-old rites, which have been carefully preserved with love and rigor for the amazement of eyes with a taste for the unusual; rites and customs that immerse us in shrouds of mystery and show us La Alberca's love of the ancestral.
La Alberca is surrounded by an exuberant explosion of greenery that refreshes the spirit of those who like to get lost on trails and footpaths, soaking up the changing landscapes that tell us the seasons exist for our eyes' enjoyment.
La Alberca is a good place to eat and rest, while enjoying peaceful and unhurried conversation - a place where one risks turning their back on everything that has gone before, and deciding to make this their new home.
Welcome to La Alberca, your village
