La Alberca Travel Guide

 fmaven Says:  In front of the Church of the Assumption, there is a statue of "El Cerdo de San Anton" (St. Anthony's Pig). A local tradition is that the pig would be let loose and all of the townspeople would feed and care for it--fattening it up. 

 pabertra Says:  This local woman and I began talking as I passed through the streets. I stopped and shared a little with her. She really was amazing. She told me she was wearing the mourning outfit, because a year ago she had lost a relative. Before I left she grabbed my hand and kissed it... 

 pabertra Says:  I happened along this woman while wondering the town of Miranda del Castanar. She was sitting in her doorframe making lace. 

 pabertra Says:  This was tucked away in a little alley, but it is very clearly a sign of the former Spanish Inquisition. 

 pabertra Says:  This small building houses so many things. The top floor is a very modest courtroom. The middle floor is the town hall and the bottom level is the dark and dank town jail. 

 pabertra Says:  This statue represents the town pig. Every year the locals select a piglet to be the town's pig. It runs loose in the streets and everyone feeds it when they see it. At the end of the year when it is nice and plump, they slaughter it and share the ham and sausages that it... 

 pabertra Says:  You do not need a map or guidebook to explore this town. Just don't blink or you will miss amazing bits of history that are tucked away in the most obvious, but unexpected places. 

 pabertra Says:  There are 2 real skulls built into this wall, where locals come to light the solitary candle in remembrance of the dead. On the anniversary of the death of a loved one, they walk a specific route around the town that both starts and ends here. 

 pabertra Says:  Their are several archways that span little walkways and alleys, which are just another endearing feature of the town. 

 pabertra Says:  The homes are modestly built and they consist of a wooden frame and the walls are made from a mixture containing mud. 

 pabertra Says:  You will be pleasantly surprised if you find the doors open to the town Cathedral. The inside is rather ornate, for such an unassuming little village. 

 pabertra Says:  The town plaza in La Alberca is small, but is full of charm. Often you will find women selling turron, which is a food similar to brittle, that consists of honey and egg whites over almonds, which is a specialty here. It is a very common Christmas food. Don't miss out on... 

 pabertra Says:  Just strolling by you can't help but see the town's only carniceria (butcher shop). Hanging are all kinds of different types of cured hams and sausages. 

 fmaven Says:  One of the great things about being someone else is taking the chance to shop like a local. Stop into the Supermercado Rita and peruse the local Salamanca wine selection, not to mention all of the different Spanish foods, beverages, housewares and toiletries. The staff (I...