Portray of the Destination
The largest city of the autonomous region of Castile-La Mancha
lies in the middle of a vast countryside of great natural value. Its ancient Islamic name, Al-Basit
(the Plain), precisely comes from the features of this peculiar orography. A tour around its
geography will reveal the commercial pulse that is felt in its main streets, the peace and quiet of
La Mancha and the hustle and bustle of its September festivals, one of the best times to visit the
city.
In the oldest part of this perfectly laid-out city stands the
Cathedral of San Juan Bautista, a building with Gothic features that also combines other styles.
The religious architectural styles of Albacete are also present in the ancient Monastery of La
Encarnación (16th century), nowadays a cultural centre, and in the Church of La Purísima
Concepción.
The economic prosperity this city enjoyed at the turn of the 20th
century is evident in Pasaje de Lodares. Shopping centres with iron and glass ceilings, supported
by Renaissance columns, send us back to the Modernist soul. You cannot leave the city without
strolling under the shade cast by the trees at Abelardo Sanchez Park or a visit to the Albacete
Museum, where the Archaeology, Fine Arts and Ethnology sections exhibit extraordinary collections.
If you want to become acquainted with the game of the
bochas (bowls), similar to
pétanque, you are sure to find Albacete citizens playing a
match at Fiesta del Árbol Park.
We would like to thank the Institución Ferial de Albacete (IFAB) for the texts provided.
Visit
www.ifab.orgAlbacete is a functional and modern city, situated on the typical
plains of La Mancha. In its province, the source of River Mundo is located in a natural landscape
of impressive waterfalls and canyons, which was originally a shelter for outlaws. The province of
Albacete integrates various singular features. In these quixotic and attractive Mediterranean
lands, the protected landscapes reflect their natural richness. This area has a great number of
places of enormous beauty and natural interest, some of which have some kind of environmental
protection. The most outstanding places for their unique beauty are: Calar del Río Mundo, Lagunas
de Ruidera and Valle del Cabriel.
Climate
Albacete has a very extreme continental climate characterized by
very cold winters (once dipping to -24º C on Christmas 1970-1971, the lowest temperature ever in a
provincial capital) and very hot summers. Also, it is generally very dry, except in the south of
the province, which is a mountainous and rainier area.
When to go
Any time of the year is perfect to visit Albacete, but one of the
best times to do is in September, the main festival month. The festivals are renowned for their
lively and cheerful atmosphere, which captivates travellers witnessing the exciting celebrations
and traditions of this city.
History
This small hamlet, named Al-Basit (the plain) by the Arabs, was
under Islamic rule until the era of Ferdinand III. After its conquest, it was handed it over to the
Aragon Council with the category of village. As a result of the Alphosine decadence (1282),
Albacete became part of the Señorío -domain- de los Manuel, under whose jurisdiction it remained
until the beginning of the Modern Age. During the first quarter of the 14th century, the village
started to develop and to increase its population. Furthermore, in 1375, the first marquis of
Villena granted Albacete the category of town as well as its independence from Chinchilla.
In the 16th century, its growth continued, its population reached
nearly 5000 inhabitants and various convents were established. By that time, the construction of
the San Juan Church started, nowadays the Cathedral of the capital city. The 18th century,
following the crisis of the 17th century, was marked by demographic, agricultural and commercial
growth. During the Succession War, the city supported Philip V, who in return granted Albacete the
privilege of an annual Fair which turned this town into the largest economic centre of the region.
In 1833, after Javier de Burgos' administrative reforms, the
province of Albacete was established, including territories from the former provinces of Cuenca,
Murcia and La Mancha. Albacete then became the province's capital city. In the course of that
century, Albacete doubled its population and extended its urban lay-out with new streets such as
Paseo la Cuba, Carcelén, Isaac Peral or Salamanca. The coming of the railway and the introduction
of street lighting also contributed to its progress. Later, Albacete supported Elizabeth II against
the Carlists, and as a result, Albacete became a City in 1862.
At the beginning of the 20th century, the city experienced great
urban growth with the construction of beautiful buildings in the streets of Tesifonte Gallego,
Marqués de Molins and Pasaje de Lodares. During the Civil War, Albacete became the general
headquarters of the International Brigades and the seat of the Republican Air Force. With the
enactment of the Statute of Autonomy in 1982, Albacete became part of the Autonomous Region of
Castile-La Mancha, and the High Court of Justice was established in the capital. Nowadays, Albacete
is undergoing considerable urban development and an important reactivation of its industrial and
commercial activities.
Traditions
The festivals held here have remarkable importance among the
annual traditions of Albacete. Some of them are exclusively religious while others have such an
ancient origin that spectators are back to the Pagan traditions of the first Iberian settlers. Very
often, these Pagan origins have been tinged with Christian influences. The result of these
combinations is an explosion of colour, popular joy, dances and typical costumes reserved for the
occasion. In fact, it is a renewed tradition taking place year after year for centuries. There is
no town without a typical festival arising from the fusion of cultures that have left their very
different customs and ways of life. There are even some villages whose remarkable non-stop
festivities continuously take place throughout the year.
As it is well known, the hand-made knives made in Albacete have
been for centuries symbolic products of its craftsmanship. This is an Islamic heritage that has
remained vigorous up until our days. In spite of modernization, there are still many workshops
devoted to hand-made production. Penknives, knives and scissors may now be found in as many shapes,
sizes and styles as one can imagine, and for the most varied uses in many places. But it is in the
province of Albacete where there are many groups of artisans with a long - standing tradition of
creating a great variety of products.
Gastronomy
The cuisine of Albacete, like in Castile-La Mancha, is varied and
tasty, heavily based on the quality of the products from the land. It is traditionally made in
connection with its popular festivals, including numerous meats, a good offer of fish from the
Mediterranean Sea, vegetables and excellent fruits, which are a delight for every palate.
The cuisine of Albacete, as well as that of other provinces in La
Mancha, includes meat as one of its main ingredients. The heavily used game can be prepared in more
than thirty different ways:
a la cazadora,
a la colirón,
a lo duque, with cabbage, marinated, etc. There is great
variety of stews that include hare, partridge and rabbit meat... with the intense and varied aromas
of the countryside. Pork and poultry are also present in this kind of gastronomy, typical of the
weather of this area, famed for its very cold winters.
In addition to the Mediterranean fish so much appreciated in
Albacete, the fresh river currents of the province provide Albacete with many other kinds of fish
such as trout, carp, pike and crab, which bring the flavour and freshness of these waters to the
tables in Albacete.
Not to be missed are the town's pastries, mostly inspired by the
convents' recipes and expressed by true wonders such as
flores manchegas,
suspiros and
miguelitos de La Roda, or the Almansa delights. Other
specialties include
bollos de mosto,
natillas pestiñadas and
hojuelas a la miel. In Alpera, the pies, cakes and rolls
deserve their well-gained fame.
Currency
The official currency is the euro. There are 500, 200, 100, 50, 20, 10 and 5 euro notes. Also coins of 1 and 2 euros and 50, 20, 10, 5, 2 and 1 cents. Currencies can be changed in any foreign exchange offices but it is advisable to do it at any bank.
Currency Exchange
1 EUR (Euro) = 1.20 U$D (United States Dollar)
1 EUR (Euro) = 0.66 GBP (Sterling Pound)
Prices
Compared to other countries of the European Union, and perhaps
because of its tourist reputation, Spain is one of the cheapest countries in Europe if you decide
to travel. Obviously, prices vary depending on the season of the year, with summer being the most
expensive season and winter the cheapest.
Useful Info
Official nameAlbacete
CountryKingdom of Spain
Time Zone+ 1GMT
Official LanguageSpanish
Surface area1,234 km2
Population159,518 inhabitants in 2005
Political RegimeConstitutional Monarchy
Public holidaysJanuary 1: New Year, January 6: Epiphany; March 20: Saint
Joseph's day; May 31: Castile-La Mancha Day; May 1: Labour Day; August 15: Assumption; October 2:
National day of Spain (Columbus Day); November 1: All Saints Day; December 6: Spanish Constitution
Day, December 8: Immaculate Conception, December 25: Christmas Day.
ReligionAs in the rest of Spain, Albacete is mostly Catholic, which is evident in the festival calendar of
the city.
Religion90% Catholics, 8% Muslims and 2% Jews
Arrival / DepartureYou can get to Albacete by plane through Barajas Airport (Madrid), which is very well connected by
the main motorways that cross the territory and provide fast direct access to the main cities of
this autonomous region, as well as a large number of regions of the Spanish State. You can also use
the Madrid-Sevilla line of the AVE high speed train service, which stops at Ciudad Real and
Puertollano. There are also plenty of forest tracks in perfect condition that give easy access to
the furthest and most hidden spots of the region.
SafetyConsidering the importance of tourism in Spain, the safety of all
travellers is a real priority for the country. However, this does not rule out the general advice
given to tourists travelling anywhere in the world. Therefore, it is advisable for tourists to take
just the money they need for specific outings and not the total amount they have available for the
whole trip, and also to take extra precautions in crowded places to avoid possible robberies.
VisaEU citizens do not need a visa to enter Spain. Nor do citizens of
the United States, Argentina, Mexico, Brazil and the rest of the Latin American countries, although
a return ticket must be bought. Travellers from Australia, Anguilla, Bermuda, Canada, Cyprus, South
Korea, Hong Kong, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Israel, Japan, Macao, Malaysia,
Montserrat, New Zealand, Saint Helena, Singapore and Turk & Caicos do not need a visa provided
that they do not stay for more than 90 days in Spain. Visitors from other countries may enter the
country on the Schengen visa, which is valid for 90 days in the Schengen zone.
ClothingThere are no specific rules regarding clothes, as it usually
depends on the time of year. Spanish people do not dress too formally for work or leisure time, and
usually wear comfortable and casual clothes. It should be remembered that warm clothes should be
worn in the month of January.
Electricity220 volts, 50 mhz. The most common plug sockets are those with two circular plugs.
Radio and TelevisionThe principal radio stations of Albacete are: FM: 89.6 Los 40
principales Albacete; 91.8 RNE 1 92.7 Kiss FM; 93.1 Onda Cero; 93.6 RNE 2; 95.1 Intereconomía; 95.4
Cadena 100 Albacete; 96.4 M80 Albacete; 96.9 Flash FM; 98.3 Cadena Dial Albacete; 99.0 RNE 3 Radio
3; 100.3 Cadena SER Albacete; 100.7 Flash FM; 101.9 Nova Onda; 102.5 Radio Almenara San Pedro;
104.0 RCM Radio Castilla la Mancha; 105.3 Radio Chinchilla; 106.3 Radio 5 Todo Noticias; 107.0
Radio Manchuela; AM: 839 RNE 1; 1116 SER; 1152 RNE 5 Todo Noticias and 1224 COPE.
TV: Apart from the national TV channels such as: Antena 3 TV,
TVE1, Telecinco and Cuatro, there are three local TV channels (Localia, Visión 6 y Albacete Teve)
and an autonomous channel (Castilla-La Mancha Television).
TelephoneThe code for Spain is 34 and for Albacete 967. In order to make
international phone calls you should first dial 00 and then the country code followed by the
telephone number. For domestic calls within Spain no special code is needed.
Regarding mobile phones, the country's technology is GSM but in
many cases it is not compatible with the one used in other countries. The most important operators
are Amena (www.amena.com); Movistar ( www.movistar.tsm.es) and Vodafone (web page www.vodafone.es)
Call boxes are readily found in the streets that work with coins
or cards that can be bought in places such as the
locutorios, which are kiosks with several telephone booths
where you can make calls without coins or cards and just pay at the end of your call. In these
places, among other services, you can also send and receive faxes and use the computers available
to access Internet for a fee.
Police092, 967596126
Ambulance112
Fire Brigade080, 967596108
Tourist health care services112
Newspapers and MagazinesIn addition to national newspapers and magazines, there are
several local newspapers (la Tribuna, El Pueblo, etc.), as well as a regional newspaper (Global
Castilla-La Mancha) and some weekly and monthly publications (Cronica, AB a Mano, Gente,
etc).
Postal ServiceThe Spanish mail service is efficient. Letters within Europe
usually take between three and five days. A registered mail costs a minimum of 2 and a half euros.
The main post offices of Albacete are:
Bernabe Cantos, 40, Telephone: +34 967550393;
Cronista Mateo y Sotos,10,Telephone: +34 967217331;
Av.Primero de Mayo, S/N (CARREFOUR), Telephone: +34 967229599;
G, 1 (POLIGONO INDUSTRIAL CAMPOLLANO), Telephone: +34 967214115.
Opening hours from Mondays to Fridays: from 8.30 am to 8.30 pm and Saturdays from 9.30am to
1pm. For further information see the official website:
www.correos.esHealth Care ServicesThe health care system in Spain and particularly in Albacete is
good. In that connection, there are no warnings. Spain has a wide network of health centres where
first-aid and more specialized services are provided. Tourists are advised to obtain travel
insurance, and to always carry with them the relevant documents (passport/ID, insurance policy,
etc) to be presented at the medical centre. EU citizens should obtain the EHIC European Health
Insurance Card (formerly E111), which will guarantee free or reduced cost medical care.
AirportAlbacete Airport is located south of the city. It is situated in
the area known as Los Llanos, within the municipal district of Albacete. From Albacete, there are
direct connections to Barcelona and Palma de Mallorca. If you go to the airport by car, you will
gain access to the passenger terminal and the parking lot from the CM-3203 road, through a way of
some 500 meters that connects the road with the airport facilities. Another option is to take a
taxi. The fare from the city of Albacete to the airport is around 8 euros.
For further information, visit
www.aena.esPublic TransportAlbacete has the benefit of being located in the Castile-La
Mancha autonomous region, an important transportation hub well linked to other Spanish regions.
Albacete offers different means of transport. If private means are not available, buses, taxis and
trains are commonly used, which are efficient and cheap.
RailwayAlbacete has an extensive railway network that offers a range of
connections to other Spanish cities. It is linked with the following Spanish cities: to the centre
of Spain ( Madrid, Ciudad Real...), to the east and Murcia (Castellón, Valencia, Alicante,
Cartagena...), to the north (Santander, Gijón, Barcelona...) and to the south (Granada).
The train station in Albacete is located in Avenida de la Estación, telephone: +34 967 21 02
02. For further information, consult the railway service (Renfe) official website:
www.renfe.esBusThe bus station is clean and modern, and is situated next to the
railway station. It is equipped with shops, a café, restrooms with showers and lounges to make your
wait a little more pleasant. It also has ticket offices of different companies to the following
destinations: to the east, towns in Albacete, cities in Castille la Mancha, the Basque Country,
Catalonia and Andalusia.
The station is located at the following address: C/ Federico Garcia Lorca s/n, 02001,
Telephone: +34 967216012. Albacete.
CarAlbacete is connected to all the cities in the national territory. To access Albacete, you can take
the A3 Madrid-Alicante motorway or the old National 301 road.
See climatewww.worldweather.org
Currency converterwww.xe.com/ucc
A dinnerAt a standard restaurant: between 8 and 15 euros
The taxiThe taxi fare from downtown Albacete to the airport is 8 euros.
The trainA single ticket costs 1.05 euros
