La Alberca is a municipality and also a town which is located in the province of Salamanca. It is a historical place that has been preserved very well over the years and that is why today it is a charming tourist place that attracts many people every year for the beauty of its landscapes and for the tranquility that is breathed in it. town.
Let's see what's of interest in La Alberca, since it is also within the natural setting of the Sierra de Francia. This old town is one of those small places visited by those looking for charming corners away from the noise of the cities.
History of La Alberca
In this area there was already a population before the Romans, as evidenced by the remains of a fort on which part of this town sits. This town had some important milestones throughout its history. In the Middle Ages the image of the Virgen de la Peña de Francia was found, which became a pilgrimage sanctuary. In the XNUMXth century, it seems that the women of the town defeated the troops of Prior de Crato of Portugal. In the XNUMXth century this town was integrated into the province of Salamanca. In the year 1940 was declared a Historic-Artistic Monument, being the first municipality in Spain to achieve this distinction. Hence, its old town is in such good conservation.
A visit through its streets
The fact of being a Historic-Artistic Monument has managed to preserve its houses very well. Stroll through the cobbled streets of the town It is one of the most interesting things to do in La Alberca, since you have the feeling of going back in time. Its houses are typical of centuries ago, arranged on three floors. The lower part was for the animals, the first floor was where the kitchen was and on the upper part were the family rooms. You can see that they are built in white stone and wood, with beautiful wrought-iron balconies that attract attention. They usually have flowers and in spring they decorate all these houses with a lot of color, creating a very beautiful picture in the town. In some entrances of the houses you can see engraved inscriptions that have a religious meaning.
La Plaza Mayor is the central area of the town and one of his best images. This square is the place where the life of the town is centered and you can see old typical houses, in addition to the Town Hall. In this part there are also restaurants, since we must not forget that this town is today a tourist place. In the center of the square there is an old fountain and an XNUMXth century transept.
Churches and hermitages
La Church of Our Lady of the Assumption is from the XNUMXth century and it was built on top of another, of which the great tower is preserved. It has a XNUMXth century granite pulpit. It has a neoclassical style with some details in the baroque style. The great tower was built by order of the Dukes of Alba and was built two centuries before the current church. It has a coat of arms sculpted on one of its sides.
In this town there is a large number of hermitages that can be seen, so it is concluded that it was a fairly religious population and that it continues to be so today. The hermitage of Nuestra Señora de Majadas Viejas is in a chestnut forest far from the town, in the direction of Mogarraz. It has a XNUMXth-century Romanesque-style virgin.
La Hermitage of San Marcos is from the XNUMXth century and is currently in ruins. However, it is a good place because it has great views of the Peña de Francia, the Peña del Huevo or the Francia river. The hermitage of Cristo del Humilladero is within the town and is one of the oldest. Other hermitages are Salamanca or San Blas.
Batuecas-Sierra de Francia natural park
La Alberca is located within this natural park, so it can also be a great visit if we like natural areas. It's possible to do hiking trails or enjoy trying to see the fauna found in this park, such as storks, badgers or wild cats.
Parties in La Alberca
In this town there are some interesting festivals, such as the August 15, when the Offertory is celebrated in honor of the Virgin of the Assumption. This festival is of national tourist interest. On September 8 the pilgrimage of the Peña de Francia is celebrated. In addition, in this town it has been possible to see the strange custom of having a pig loose in the streets which the neighbors feed. It is known as 'Marrano de San Antón', which is blessed in June and released through the streets.