Aragon Guide

In Borja the Collegiate Chuch of Santa Maria, San Miguel's and Las Conchas House are outstanding. Borja is the capital of a prosperous territory thanks to the high quality of its agricultural products, especially its wine and oil, and to the growing tourist demand in search of novelties, such as its successful jazz festival.

Sheltered by the remains of its castle, on narrow streets and squares with porches, which years ago housed the faithful from three religions, we can find 15th and 16th century palaces, as well as a fine group of religious buildings. The so-called Casa de las Conchas (House of Shells), today the Town Hall, and the residence of Maria Aguilar belong to the first group. The collegiate church of Santa Maria, the old parish churches of San Miguel and San Bartolome and the convents of Santa Clara, the Concepcion and Santo Domingo belong to the second group. The Santuario de la Misericordia and two curious buildings, the Mudejar Casa de la Estanca, with its walls lined with rhomboidal drawings, and the hermitage of Calvario, a Renaissance temple of a funerary nature and central ground plan, are located in the outlying districts.

The stamp left by a historical period marked by the prominence of military orders and the dynamic presence of the Moslem population is still visible in many villages. Mallen was the head of the land of St. John of Jerusalem, who inherited the possessions of the Templars and extended their control to Novillas, Alberite de San Juan, Ambel and Fuendejalon, as we can see from the churches, castles and palaces. Mudejar art, in all its splendour, can also be seen in the temples of the already mentioned Alberite and Ambel, as well as in those of Agon, Magallon, Bulbuente, Pozuelo de Aragon or Tabuenca.

Campo de Borja - Since this area acquired DO (Designation of Origin) status in 1980, it has been progressively acquiring an identity of its own. Its wines are well-made, full-bodied and dense, with clear, fruity aromas. Whilst most production continues to be red wines, the number of crianzas is steadily ...