PARQUE DE LA ALDEHUELA

La Aldehuela Park, located on the outskirts of the city, gets its name from a small hamlet - hence aldehuela (little hamlet) - that once existed on the right bank of the Tormes River. It was situated between the towns of Salamanca and Cabrerizos. This hamlet was a fiefdom of Don Diego de Guzmán, one of the procurators that Salamanca sent to the Holy Junta of Ávila during the Comunidades War.

In the mid-19th century, the place had four inhabitants. Madoz's dictionary cites it as depopulated and describes it as an area of pastures and ash woodland of almost 100 hectares. In the center of the depopulated area, there was a house with a square tower known as Aldehuela Castle. At that time, part of its surface was owned by the Marquis of Almarza and another part by the Marquis of Montellano. The place was already used at that time as a recreational area for the citizens of Salamanca who celebrated the feasts of San Juan and San Pedro here.

By the end of the 20th century, La Aldehuela de los Guzmanes consisted of two estates: El Baldío de la Aldehuela, within the municipality of Salamanca (12 hectares), and Aldehuela de los Guzmanes itself, belonging to the municipality of Cabrerizos (58.5 hectares). By agreement between both localities, the boundaries were modified, and both parts passed to the municipality of Salamanca. In 1985, a public tender was called to award the construction of the sports city. The winning team was led by Alejandro de la Sota. The municipal plenary session in December 1986 approved the first phase of the project for the creation of infrastructures and the urbanization of the land.

The chosen area was a plain in one of the Tormes meanders. The space was configured into two large zones: the Aldehuela Sports City and the Public Utility Mount of Aldehuela de los Guzmanes. Both spaces were delimited by fences, although a communication passage was left between them. The Aldehuela Sports City was designed for amateur and professional sports, as a resting, leisure, and recreational area. Today we can enjoy wonderful facilities where all kinds of sports can be practiced.

The Sports City is a vibrant and welcoming space where sport, leisure, and well-being naturally combine, offering alternatives for all ages and ways to enjoy free time.

For the more active, the complex features a wide variety of facilities: a skate park, a radio-control circuit, and various sports zones such as two grass mini-football pitches, beach volleyball and beach soccer fields, as well as an outdoor multi-sports court that allows for practicing different disciplines.

But there is also room for more relaxed leisure. Table tennis tables scattered throughout the complex invite sharing moments of play, while the two bio-healthy circuits allow one to stay in shape outdoors, in a pleasant and natural environment.

One of the great attractions of the space are its children's areas, designed for different ages. Children can enjoy playgrounds, mini-golf courses, carousels, climbing structures, and a large zip line. Additionally, the youngest ones have an area located next to the cafeteria, allowing adults to relax peacefully while children play in a safe environment.

From the Sports City extends the Aldehuela de los Guzmanes Public Mount, a natural environment organized around a central pedestrian path from which numerous secondary trails branch off. The landscape, dotted with small artificial mounds and large stone blocks amidst dense woodland, creates a unique, almost mysterious atmosphere, reminiscent of a megalithic tumulus landscape.

This space also stands out for its great natural richness, with notable biodiversity. It houses over 150 plant species, including cedars, cypresses, pines, elms, ailanthus, mulberries, maples, and plane trees, as well as more than 60 bird species. It is also a refuge for fauna such as foxes, rabbits, and hedgehogs, among other animals.

In the middle of this environment is the picnic area, an equipped space with wooden tables and benches, shaded areas, and drinking water fountains, designed for enjoying outdoor meals and spending a day surrounded by nature.

Following the path alongside the river, you reach the Isla del Soto, a natural enclave located within the municipality of Santa Marta de Tormes. It features pedestrian paths, rest areas, and recreational spaces, making it a perfect place for walking, playing sports, or enjoying the natural environment.

Furthermore, the Isla del Soto integrates art into its landscape through the Arte Emboscado project, which introduces large-format sculptures inspired by local fauna. These works, made from materials such as iron or fiberglass, are distributed along the route and stand out for their integration with the environment. Among them, a large woodpecker welcomes visitors to the island, an imposing heron is located along the path, and a group of giant ants symbolize cooperation. Added to these is the series “Los Bichos del Soto” (The Critters of the Soto), with large-sized, brightly colored insect sculptures, specially designed to pique the curiosity and interest of children.