Puntos de Interés
Municipality
Bazalote
Balazote is a town and municipality located in the heart of the province of Albacete with a population of some 2,350 today. Archaeological evidence found in the vicinity of the locality has shown us that the area has been inhabited for thousands of years. The excavations carried out in the municipality of Balazote mostly uncovered artefacts from the Ibero-Roman period. Among those artefacts was the sculpture known as Bicha de Balazote, dating back to the 6th century BC and which for years was considered to be a figure capable of diverting the evil influences of the municipality. Today it is on display at the National Archaeological Museum, although it is possible to see a reproduction in the Archaeological Museum of Albacete. The Bicha de Balazote is, together with the famous Dama de Elche, one of the most important sculptures of Iberian origin. In the vicinity of Balazote, remains of a Roman palace housing thermal baths and mosaics have also been found.
This town, whose name comes from the Latin word palatium, which the Arabs transformed into balat, has always been closely historically linked to the municipality of Alcaraz. It was administratively dependent on the Alfoz of Alcaraz until the early 14th century when it was donated to the Order of Santiago, tasked with the reconquest and subsequent Christian repopulation of the area. After this, it came under the jurisdiction of Villanueva de la Fuente, today a municipality in the neighbouring province of Ciudad Real. Balazote enjoys a strategic location as, although its territory is mostly made up of extensive plains, the foothills of the Sierra de Alcaraz, begin in the immediate vicinity, which is why many consider it to be the gateway to this mountain range. It is also an important area in the area relations between Andalusia and the Spanish Levante, which is why it has always been a fundamental territory for both regions. As for the local economy, the main driving force is agriculture, including irrigated farms, normally more common along the Levante. Crops include potatoes, corn and alfalfa, although the municipality is also an important producer of garlic, a crucial ingredient in the traditional gastronomy of the area.
As for the points of interest in the town, the most important religious buildings are the 16th century Church of Nuestra Señora del Rosario, which boasts elements from the neighbouring Franciscan Convent of Alcaraz, including impressive Baroque altarpieces. The Shrine of Santa Monica, located on a hill in the vicinity of the town, is also worth a visit. Of the traditional civil architecture of the area, the old washing place is still preserved, located in the lower part of the municipality, and which for many years became a meeting point mainly for the women of the locality.
Local festivals are celebrated in honour of San Blas in the month of February, stands out, while there is also the traditional pilgrimage of Santa Monica when the locals travel to the hill where the shrine in honour of the patron of the municipality is located for a fine celebration.