Local Info & Town Hall (Ayuntamiento) Alcalalí

Alcalali


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Alcalalí is another traditional small village set in the Jalón Valley.  Only five minutes from Jalón, Alcalalí retains its own special charm and character.

As with most of the villages in this area agriculture was once the main source of income for the inhabitants.  Today, the grapes, almonds and citrus fruits are still maintained and sold but are no longer a profitable business.  The town relies on tourists for some of its income, in addition to the small old fashioned shops that are dotted around the narrow streets.

Central to village life is the church, main square and town hall.  The ancient medieval tower in the main square is used as a museum to show how raisins are produced in the local area.  There is also a look out point at the top of the tower that gives the most magnificent views of the valley.  The tower is a landmark and can be seen from miles around and you’d be forgiven for thinking it is a result of modern architecture as the top has enormous glass windows.

A leisurely walk can be taken round the village and its outskirts, visit the town hall’s website at www.alcalali.es for a PDF version of the directions (on the Leisure page).

The village also has a municipal swimming pool, tennis and squash courts.

Fiestas can be enjoyed at the end of June and August, when in traditional Spanish style everyone comes out to celebrate and music, dancing, fireworks and festivities take place in the streets.

The history of Alcalalí lies deep in Arabic origins.  The name comes from an Arabic word meaning ‘old pots’, remnants of which have been found in the village. 

Before the 15th century Alcalalí and Mosquera (a Moorish community) were two small villages lying side by side.  They were then linked into one municipality, known as Alcalalí, but evidence of Mosquera can still be seen today.  The name Mosquera originates from a certain type of tree containing resin that catches flies (moscas).

Mosquera was centred around a mosque and ‘alchub’, which is an overground well providing drinking water.  The alchub is still in existence and used today.

Mosquera was originally a Moorish community, the centre of the village was the mosque, around which 30 houses, a threshing floor, a bakery, bread oven, oil and wine press-shed and a Muhammadan cemetery. In the very early Middle Ages the village must have been inhabited by people who used an " alchub" (a well lying on the surface and producing cool and clear drink-water). 

Town Hall (Ayuntamiento)

Plaza del Ajuntament 1, Alcalalí 03728  -   966 482 024

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