Alcala del Valle

Alcala del Valle

Alcala del Valle produces exceptional handicrafts made with esparto, which is a material that comes from a type of grass grown in North Africa. Alcala del Valle is also known for its ‘pata negra’ cured ham as well as other cold meats.

Some archaeological findings in the area of Alcala del Valle give indications that communities have long existed since prehistoric times. In the area of Dehesa del Tolmillo, ancient stone structures called Dolmens have been found.
In the 15th century, Alcala del Valle settlers were the Muslims expelled out of the nearby Setenil. But a century later, written history tells of how Alcala del Valle was acquired by the Archbishop of Seville, Hernando Valdes in 1559 during a time in Spain when towns were put up for sale to cover for expenses brought about by war. The Archbishop paid 1,573,000 maravedies, the ancient Spanish gold coins that was the currency in those days.

Since the purchase, Alcala del Valle has been surrendered from one powerful person to another, going through legal battles for land ownerships. Later, Alcala del Valle became part of the Kingdom of Granada, which is now the province of Malaga. However, in 1834, the town was passed on officially to the province of Cadiz.

In the 20th century, a major disaster happened when strikers started a fire at the City Hall in 1903, burning many of Alcala del Valle’s files. Apart from the old file showing Registration of Births from the year 1546, Alcala is said to have “lost its memory” as a result of that fire.

Tourism is definitely a major industry here with its stunning churches like El Convento del Caños Santo, Iglesia Parroquial de Santa María del Valle, and Ermita del Señor de la Misericordia. There is also the archaeological site of Dólmenes de Tomillo, and the La Caceria, La Fuente Grance.

The Mollina mountain range, the Watchtower hill and the Stream of Thyme can be found north of Alcala del Valle; the Villa de Setenil is towards the South while the Guadalporcún river and the Torre Alháquime is found in the west. In the east, the Ronda mountain range sits very near the province of Malaga.

Festivals to watch out for in this town, apart from the usual Carnaval in March and the Semana Santa celebrations in April, there is the Romería de Caños Santos in May and the feast of its Patron Saint, San Roque, in August.