Aragon Guide

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  San Pedro Church, Teruel

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  Photo Source: Motorland

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  Hotel & Restaurant Consolacion, Monroyo / Mont-roig

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  Melanosporum Restaurant, Mora de Rubielos

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  Spa at La Trufa Negra Hotel

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  Photo Source: Valdelinares Aramon

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  Hotel Torre del Visco, Rafales, Matarranya

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  Valderrobres. Photo Source: Comarca del Matarranya

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  Parador de Teruel Pool

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  View from the Albarracin Castle. Photo Source: Fundacion Santa Maria de Albarracin

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  Mudejar Tower

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  Torico Fountain, Teruel City

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  Parador de Teruel

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  Modernist Architecture in Teruel

The crenellated walls climbing above the remote medieval town of Albarracin, 38km west of Teruel, dramatically announce its proximity as you approach. Built on a steep, rocky height carved out by a meander of the Rio Guadalaviar, Albarracin was, from 1012 to 1104, the seat of a tiny Islamic state ruled by a Berber dynasty called the Banu Razin. From 1170 to 1285, it was an independent Christian kingdom sandwiched between Castile and Aragon. With its tall, aged buildings clinging to steep hillsides in an isolated setting, this is the most impressive of all Aragon’s ancient hill towns, even if tourists seem to outnumber locals at times.

The Maestrazgo region contains the border between Teruel and Castellon. In the past, it was under the control of the grand masters of the order of knighthood- from where it was given its name-and the Carlist bastion in the 19th Century. Nature in El Maestrazgo merges with the villages. Itineraries by foot or mountain bike are recommended, as well as that leading to the source of the River Pitarque. The sharp rocks of Los Organos de Montoro, together with the plain of El Guadalope River make an impact upon arriving or leaving this land filled with history.

The charm of Cantavieja lies in its old quarter in which the portico square provides shelter for the Gothic Town Hall and the church of La Asuncion, almost of the cathedral side. In La Iglesuela del Cid emblazoned houses represent some of the most important monuments in the region, such as the Torre de los Nublos. Then palace houses follow, like Casa de Matutano, today an Inn with the Aragonese Inn Network.

Fenced in its wall, Mirambel looks like the village from the medieval story, emphasized by the tower of irregular ground plan close to the door of the Nuns. Above this main door there upholds curious latticeof the Convent of Agustinas which is just a sign of enchantment of the Mirambel streets and houses.

Villarluengo surprises from the low hill not only because it has a beautiful view but also with its monuments such as the Tow Hall from the 16th Century, with the windows made of woodcarvings, or the neoclassic church of La Asuncion. Not so far away from this place can be seen Los Organos de Montoro, sharp rocks near fertile plain of Guadalope River, that make you feel breathless with excitement in their presence.

Teruel is a city in Aragon, Spain, the capital of Teruel Province. It has a population of 34,240 in 2006. It is noted for its harsh climate, its jamón serrano (cured ham), its pottery and its famous Fiestas (La Vaquilla del Angel during the second weekend of July and "Bodas de Isabel de Segura" around the third weekend of February)..

The beauty of the city's cultural inheritance, which has some Islamic influence, has been recognised by Unesco, which includes four churches in the World Heritage Site Mudejar Architecture of Aragon, notably the city's ornate cathedral in the Mudejar style. One of Teruel's best known monuments is very small statue of a bull on top of a tall column, known as El Torico (little bull). On the outskirts of Teruel is Dinopolis Teruel, a combined theme park and museum centred around dinosaurs. Promoted as a Parque paleontológico (paleontological park), it includes a life-size robotic model of a Tyrannosaurus rex. Dinopolis also owns three other museums in the surrounding area, which display the remains of dinosaurs discovered in the region.

Matarranya is a land of amazing landscapes and deep-rooted traditions. Valderrobles is the most outstanding town of the Matarranya, with its Town Hall declared a National Momument and its gothic castle, connected with the church of Santa Maria la Mayor, both buildings representing the most outstanding example of Gothic architecture in Teruel. Other towns of interest include Calaceite, Monroyo, Penarroya de Tastavins, Penyarolla, Fuentespalda, Beceite, Rafales, Oliete - where the Iberian settlement of El Cabezo de San Pedro de los Griegos can be found - and many others.

We also have to bear in mind one of the most important aspects of this region: its natural environment, appropiate for walks along the paths that cross low-lying lands and get into Beceite passes. Such mountains where numerous streams flow and hide in a lot of caves and caverns, pass through the valley and reach to the National Hunting Park, Hispanic Goat reservation.

Valderrobres is the most elegant village of the Matarranya Region, with its Town Hall declared a National Monument and its gothic castle, connected with the church of Santa Maria la Mayor by an overhead walkway, both buildings representing the most outstanding example of Gothic architecture in the province of Teruel. Calaceite was declared a historic-artistic complex for the splendour of its streets and nobility houses. La Fresneda is a beautiful medieval village declared a historic and artistic site, due to the impressive buildings in it's attractive porticoed streets.

Rafales is in the middle of the region of Matarranya at an altitude of 627m. surrounded by mountains and Mediterranean pine forests. The earliest traces of civilization are in the plundered Iberian town of Moratella peak, although many people talk about stones as arrowheads in “Sabatera” cave that could be evidence of prehistoric settlements.

The lowlands of the Ebro valley and the Matarranya basin form this extensive region that spreads to Los Puertos de Beceite. This is the land of amazing landscapes and deep-rooted traditions, where one of the best-known olive oils and peaches of exquisite quality are produced. The capital city is Alcaniz, the second city in the province. The magnificent castle, now a state-run hotel dominates the square. As well as Alcaniz, the Ruta del Tambor, with its thunderrous Easter ritual, also includes the towns of Hijar, Alcorisa, Andorra, Albalate del Arzobispo, La Puebla de Hijar, Urrea de Gaen, Samper de Calanda and Calanda, home town of the great film maker, Luis Buñuel.

Bajo Aragon location has its area of passage and communication between the Ebro Valley and the Mediterranean coast. This has moulded the character of it's people, who are open and friendly, subsequently, travellers can enjoy and participate in their deep-rooted customs and traditions. The most famous of these, Easter Week, with its processions and  play entitled 'The Drama of the Cross, the Breaking of the Dawn', are enacted to the sound of pounding drums and bass drums. Three towns in the district are on The Drum and Bass Drum Route: Alcañiz, Alcorisa and Calanda. The Bajo Aragon region has several lovely natural enclaves: La Estanca in Alcaniz, Grutas de Cristal (Crystal Caverns) in Molinos, Barranc Fondo in Torrevelilla, Santolea Reservoir in Castellote.

The history of the Jiloca Valley reflects the influence of its geographical features, which facilitates communication with the Ebro valley and Mediterranean sea. The area was an important network of communications connecting Roman Cesaraugusta with Saguntum and the ancient Bílbilis. Invaded by the Muslims it was conquested by the Christians under the leadership of Alfonso el Batallador. During this time many defensive constructions were built, one of the best preserved is the castle on the slopes of Sierra Menera, in the town of Peracense with it's monumental bell towers made of stone. During the course of the 15th, 16th and 17th centuries the Mudejar Towers of Olalla, Navarrete and Báguena were built. The Arabs were responsible for introducing the growing of saffron in these lands, and as a result the area is known as the "Land of Saffron". In Monreal del Campo there is an interesting museum dedicated to collecting and conserving the tools used for cultivating this plant.

One of the most attractive spots in the area is situated on the boundary with the province of Zaragoza, The Laguna de Gallocanta, declared a Wildlife Sanctuary and Specially Protected Bird life Area (ZEPA), an ornithological paradise, where, at the start of autumn, one can see the cranes returning, set against impressive sunsets. The Ojos Negros Via Verde runs over the tracks of the formers Sierra Menera mining railway.

Andorra, is not only city and mining region, but also ancestral home sprinkled with valuable sites. It is on the third place in the province according to the number of inhabitants, and from the road between it and Ariño it is possible to see opencast mines, pitheads that remind the importance that Andorra had in combustible mineral extraction.

Snow, of which there is plenty in this area during the winter, has given rise to the creation of the ski resorts of Valdelinares and Javalambre, which are perfectly equipped and receive many snow sport enthusiasts. From the craggy mountains to the deep valleys, Gudar Javalambre surprises visitors with itls beautiful mountain villages.

The castle palace of Mora de Rubielos is one of the most outstanding monuments in Teruel. The ethnological museum is located in its vaults and in summer it is headquarters to the Puerta del Mediterraneo Festival, which is also held in Alcaniz and Rubielos de Mora. Rubielos de Mora is one of the most attractive towns in Teruel. A wall enclosure with beautiful manor houses, picturesque corners and magnificent buildings such as the convent of Las Carmelitas, the Town Hall, the palace of Villasegura or the church of Santa Maria la Mayor. Snow sports are complemented by relaxation in the spas of Manzanera and Camarena de la Sierra, both in the Sierra de Javalambre.

Alcala de la Selva is situated in aprivileged spot. Under the watchful eye of the castle, the streets of the town intertwine to reach the church of San Simon and San Judas, midway between Gothic and Renaissance.

The following route through the area is one that drivers might take from Teruel. start by heading 43km southeast to Mora de Rubielos, where a massive 14th century castle (open 10.30am-2pm and 4.30pm-8.30pm daily July and August, Saurday and Sunday only September-June) towers in the middle of the village, amid a sea of red and pink stone. Accross the street in the Gothic Ex-colegiata de Santa Maria, notable for its single very broad nave. Another 14 southwest along the A-232 is pretty Rubielos de Mora, a quiet web of narrow streets adorned with typically small Aragonese balconies.