Plans for thermal spa bathing centre in Alhama de Murcia shelved for the time being
The thermal baths of Alhama have helped define the history of the town over the last two millennia
While the remodelling of the central Plaza La Constitución is under way in Alhama de Murcia this summer, a similar project at what used to be the fairground is also about to start in the autumn, a project which has been put on hold since the start of the current legislature in the Town Hall, and after that more work is planned in the Parque de La Cubana.
But, to the disappointment of some, the idea of creating a thermal baths centre appears to have been shelved, meaning that the plan to reinstate the feature which first led to the growth of the town in Moorish times, and which indeed explains the name of the town, is not about to reach fruition.
The idea was for the thermal bath centre to stand on the spot currently occupied by the Auditorio Municipal, which is soon to be demolished, according to regional newspaper La Verdad. Instead, that plot will remain bare, with no baths and no facilities.
The history of the thermal baths in Alhama actually goes back to far before the centuries of Moorish rule: some 2,000 years ago, in the 1st century, when what is now Murcia was within the Roman Empire, people used to bathe in the mineral water springs which were at the foot of the hill where the castle now stands, and the Romans created an important spa complex which was in use until the 4th century.
The tradition was revived under Moorish rule in the 11th century, when the town was named “Al-Hamma”, but by 1494, when the German traveller Hieronymus Münzer came to Alhama, the baths were already in decline. The 19th century saw a revival, and in 1848 a large spa hotel was built, and some of the remains of the building can still be seen. In fact, the complex was used as a hospital during the Civil War, but the springs dried up and then in 1972 the building was mostly demolished.
It has now been replaced by the Los Baños archaeological museum, where exhibits are housed in some of the vaulted chambers which once welcomed bathers seeking to take advantage of the healing properties of the waters.
For more local news, events and visiting information go to the home page of Alhama Today.
Address
Tourist Office Alhama de Murcia, Plaza Constitucion. Frente Auditorio, nº 10, 30840, ALHAMA DE MURCIATel: 968 633 512
Oficina de Turismo de Alhama de Murcia
Alhama de Murcia Tourist information office is located on the edge of the Plaza de la Constitución, just a few metres away from the underground car park and the Town hall of Alhama de Murcia.
The tourist office offers free guided audiotours in English which take visitors around the historical sites of interest in Alhama. These be loaned at any time, although allow an hour and a half to complete the tour, and when loaning the audio equipment visitors are asked to leave passports or ID cards with the tourist office.
The office also carries a full range of leaflets for the archaeological museum of Los Baños, which is built around the historic spa which gives Alhama its name, and the mountains of Sierra Espuña, which is also an important area within the municipality of Alhama. Areas such as El Berro and Gebas have a number of interesting routes which can be followed and there are several picnic areas and good walking routes within the Sierra Espuña natural park.
The tourist office also carries leaflets for the many cultural events and fiestas which take place in Alhama throughout the year, including Los Mayos, Semana Santa, Christmas,the Romería of La Candelaria and the Auto de los Reyes Magos in El Berro.
Opening Hours
Winter (September 16 – May 31)
- Tuesday to Friday: 9am-2pm and 4.30pm-7.30pm
- Saturdays: 10am-1pm
- Sundays and Mondays: closed
Summer (June 1 to September 15)
- Tuesday to Friday: 08.30 to 14.30
- Saturdays: 10.00 to 13.00
- Sundays and Mondays: closed
For more local information, including news and forthcoming events, visit the home page of Alhama Today.
