{"id":23987,"date":"2018-07-18T15:20:51","date_gmt":"2018-07-18T13:20:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.surfingtheplanet.com\/?p=23987"},"modified":"2024-04-16T22:28:05","modified_gmt":"2024-04-16T20:28:05","slug":"10-places-visit-teruel","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.surfingtheplanet.com\/en\/10-places-visit-teruel\/","title":{"rendered":"10 places to visit in Teruel Province in Spain"},"content":{"rendered":"

There are places you would never understand why there are so little touristic. With all the things to see and do in Teruel<\/strong>, every time we visit this part of Spain<\/strong>, we get very much surprised about the few tourists<\/strong> we meet there. Teruel Province<\/strong> is one of the big unknowns of Spain: its charming capital<\/strong>, its beautiful medieval villages<\/strong> and fascinating natural sights<\/strong> would deserve much more attention. What to visit in Teruel<\/strong>? There are many places that we could recommend you, but this time we will just show you the 10 essential places to see in Teruel on your first visit<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Things to do in Teruel – 10 Essential Visits<\/h2>\n

1. Teruel, the capital of Province – a city of many hidden gems<\/h3>\n

The first place to visit in Teruel Province is definitely its capital<\/strong>. Undoubtedly one of the least touristic province capitals in Spain<\/strong>, although it has a large number of interesting sights that could fill a whole weekend. Some of the most important places are:<\/p>\n

La Torre de El Salvador<\/h4>\n

Recognized as UNESCO World Heritage Site<\/strong>, this tower is major attraction<\/strong> amongst the Mudejar-style architectural patrimony of Teruel<\/strong>, and therefore the most essential thing to visit in the city of Teruel<\/strong>. At first you might not even notice that this tower belongs to the Church of El Salvador<\/strong>, hidden at first sight. In addition to dedicating some time to contemplating the precious details of the tower, we also recommend you to climb<\/strong> it to enjoy fantastic views<\/strong> of the historical center.\"Torre<\/p>\n

La Escalinata<\/h4>\n

Possibly the most impressive monument<\/strong> of the city is La Escalinata<\/strong> with its steps<\/strong>, situated close to the train station. Built in neomudejar style<\/strong> at the beginning of the 20th century, it reminded us the modernist architecture you can see in Barcelona<\/a>, like the building of Hospital de Sant Pau<\/a>, for instance. Going down these majestic steps<\/strong> make you feel as if you were in a fashion show. If you don’t want to climb these stairs after coming down, there’s an elevator<\/strong> that takes you back to the level of the Old Town.\u00a0\"Escalinata,<\/p>\n

Teruel Cathedral<\/h4>\n

Another indispensable sight to visit in Teruel<\/strong> is the Cathedral<\/strong> (Catedral de Santa Mar\u00eda), which is not one of the typical Gothic cathedrals<\/strong> you can visit in many Spanish cities. The roof<\/strong> is made in mudejar style<\/strong> and is decorated with a lot of small motifs, and Teruel Cathedral is probably the most impressive mudejar building<\/strong> you can visit in the whole region of Aragon County. Signs of several architectural styles<\/strong> can be appreciated in this building, and some simply call it the Sistine Chapel of the Mudejar Art.\u00a0\"Cathedral,<\/p>\n

St. Pedro’s Church and its tower<\/h4>\n

You still haven’t finished the mudejar style gems to see in Teruel<\/strong>, since there’s also St. Pedro’s Church<\/strong> (Iglesia de San Pedro), which reflects several architectural periods. The Tower of St. Pedro’s Church was built of\u00a0 brick<\/strong> in which pieces of ceramic were embedded. It’s worth checking out the tiles in the exterior and also the magnificent altar from the Renaissance period<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Plaza del Torico<\/h4>\n

It’s curious to see how such a small bull sculpture<\/strong> (“el torico” for the locals) can be one of the major icons<\/strong> of a whole city. The statue of the small bull gives the name to the major square of the city<\/strong>, and this is where every year the Christmas tree is put up. You can’t visit Teruel without crossing this square several times, since it’s found in the focal point of the Old Town<\/strong>. There are several attractive buildings<\/strong> to see there, the fa\u00e7ade of the Casa Torica<\/strong> building is especially picturesque.\u00a0\u00a0\"Plaza<\/p>\n

2. Valderrobres<\/h3>\n

After visiting the capital, there are many other villages to visit in Teruel<\/strong>, and Valderrobres<\/strong> is definitely a charming one, and one of our favorites in the whole province. It’s in the border between Aragon County and Catalonia<\/strong>, and there are quite a large community of Catalan speaking people who call this village Vall de Roures<\/strong>. The most important sights to visit are:<\/p>\n

The views from the River Matarra\u00f1a<\/h4>\n

The historical center of Valderrobres<\/strong> is situated on a small hill<\/strong>, and to get the best view, we recommend you to cross the Matarra\u00f1a River<\/strong> to enjoy a lovely view of Valderrobres and its reflection in the river.\u00a0\"View<\/p>\n

Castle of Valderrobres<\/h4>\n

On the top of the hill<\/strong> occupied by the Old Town of Valderrobres, you will find the majestic Castle of Valderrobres<\/strong>. It’s a national monument that was built in the 14th century and it’s worth visiting the Chimney Saloon<\/strong> (Sal\u00f3n de las Chimeneas) and the Golden Chamber (C\u00e1mara Dorada) on the inside. The views from the top are also outstanding.<\/p>\n

Puente de Piedra<\/h4>\n

The Matarra\u00f1a River cuts Valderrobres in two halves,<\/strong> and to get into the Old Town, the best way is to cross the Puente de Piedra<\/strong> (Stone Bridge) and then enter through the Gate of San Roque<\/strong> (Portal de San Roque). It’s simply spectacular!\"Stone<\/p>\n

Town Hall<\/h4>\n

It’s also known as the\u00a0Casa Consistorial de Valderrobres<\/strong> (House of the City Council), the Town Hall of Valderrobres<\/strong> is another nice example of Renaissance architecture in Aragon<\/strong>. It was built in the 16th century and it’s worth checking out the fa\u00e7ade with its details.\u00a0\"Town<\/p>\n

3. Albarrac\u00edn<\/h3>\n

Albarrac\u00edn<\/strong> always occupies a high position in the rankings of the most beautiful villages in Spain<\/strong>. It’s not surprising, since this small village in Teruel<\/strong> seems to have come out of a fairy tale<\/strong>, and therefore it’s one of major attractions to see in Teruel<\/strong>. We have already visited several times, but it still amazes us every time we get there<\/strong>. Albarrac\u00edn is situated on the banks of the Guadalaviar River<\/strong> on one side and old walls on the other side. It’s steep and narrow streets<\/strong> with its buildings that all have this reddish tonality<\/strong> are especially picturesque around sunset<\/strong>, when the light converts this village in a magical place<\/strong>. The most important sights to visit are:<\/p>\n

La Plaza Mayor<\/h4>\n

Albarrac\u00edn is a very small village, but the Plaza Mayor<\/strong>, the main square<\/strong> has a really great atmosphere<\/strong> with people spending time in the bar terraces. In addition, you will get to see some lovely wooden balconies<\/strong>.\u00a0\"Plaza<\/p>\n

Julianeta’s House<\/h4>\n

La casa de la Julianeta (Juliante’s House) <\/strong>is probably the most known house in town. This house is situated at the entrance of the puerta de Molina (Molina’s Gate) and people used to throw hot resin from here on the intruders that wanted to enter Albarrac\u00edn.<\/p>\n

Views from Albarrac\u00edn<\/h4>\n

The Castle of Albarrac\u00edn is under restoration at the moment, and in any case it conserves very little from its original aspect. Nevertheless, the views from the hill<\/strong> where the castle is found are the best<\/strong> you can enjoy, especially around sunset.\u00a0\"View<\/p>\n

Religious architecture<\/h4>\n

For a small village, Albarrac\u00edn<\/strong> has a large number of religious monuments<\/strong>. You will find two main churches: St. Mary’s Church<\/strong> (Iglesia de Santa Maria) and the Cathedral<\/strong>, and there’s also an Episcopal Palace<\/strong> there.<\/p>\n

Town walls<\/h4>\n

The walls from the Muslim period<\/strong>\u00a0are conserved in really good condition<\/strong>. One of the greatest things to do in Albarrac\u00edn is climb these walls<\/strong> and walk on top of them. It’s quite a steep climb to get up there, but the views and the different perspective<\/strong> will compensate you for the effort.\u00a0\u00a0\"Town<\/p>\n

4. Pinares del Rodeno<\/h3>\n

Very close to Albarrac\u00edn<\/strong>, you will find one of the major natural sights to see in Teruel Provence<\/strong>, the Protected Landscape of Rodeno Pine-forests (Pinares del Rodeno)<\/strong>. It’s a very interesting landscape with giant red sandstone rocks<\/strong> and large pine trees<\/strong>.\u00a0\"Pinares<\/p>\n

Nevertheless, the main attraction of Pinares del Rodeno<\/strong> is not the nature itself, but a couple of dozens of prehistoric\u00a0cave paintings<\/strong> you will find hidden in several rock shelters<\/strong>. These paintings represent a UNESCO World Heritage Site<\/strong>, and there are signs in the trails that explain well the meaning of them. The scenes you can find depict scenes about both hunter and farmer lifestyle<\/strong>. You can find scenes mostly about hunting people and animals, and most of the drawings are quite faded, and in most paintings you get to see only the contour of the drawings.\"Cave<\/p>\n

5. \u00d3rganos de Montoro<\/h3>\n

Another fascinating landscape in Teruel Province you can see in the \u00d3rganos de Montoro<\/strong> (Organs of Montoro), which are rock formations<\/strong> that have the shape of a large organ<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

6. Calaceite<\/h3>\n

Another wonderful village in the Matarra\u00f1a Region<\/strong> that’s worth a stop is Calaceite<\/strong>. It’s a charming medieval village<\/strong> where time seems to have stopped. The history of this village dates back to the prehistoric age, and in fact you can visit several ancient Iberian settlements in the surroundings. The main square<\/strong> (Plaza Mayor) with arches<\/strong> is really cute, and walking on the streets of Calaceite will make you feel in another time.\u00a0\"Things<\/p>\n

7. Iglesuela del Cid<\/h3>\n

The picturesque village Iglesuela del Cid<\/strong> is another charming place to see in Teruel, which seems to be abandoned at certain hours of the day. The main monument is the Iglesia de la Purificaci\u00f3n<\/strong>\u00a0(Church of Purification) that presides the views of this precious village.\u00a0\"Iglesuela<\/p>\n

8. Linares de Mora<\/h3>\n

Linares de Mora<\/strong> is found in the Sierra de G\u00fadar<\/strong>, one of the many mountainous regions of Teruel<\/strong>. This fortified village<\/strong> was built on a large rock and the view from the top is simply astonishing. The main landmarks to visit are the remains of a medieval castle<\/strong> and a baroque church<\/strong>, which has its bell tower separated from the rest of the church building.\u00a0\"Linares<\/p>\n

9. Cantavieja<\/h3>\n

Cantavieja<\/strong> is another pride of Teruel that often appears on lists that include the most beautiful villages in Spain<\/strong>. It’s another hilltop village<\/strong>, where time flows very slowly and you will feel very far from everything.<\/p>\n

10. Mora de Rubielos<\/h3>\n

Amongst the villages we visited in Teruel Province, Mora de Rubielos<\/strong> is the place where we found the most cheerful ambience<\/strong>. This charming village, situated on the banks of the Mora River<\/strong>, is full of buildings from the Gothic period, and we recommend you to spend at least an afternoon there. The impressive castle<\/strong> presides the views of the village, but the best thing to do<\/strong> there is getting lost in the cobblestone streets<\/strong> surrounded with small chapels and other gems of the Mediterranean gothic architecture. The inhabitants of this village are known to be very active, and actually they recorded a video that made them win the title of the “most beautiful and best village in Spain” in 2016. Hence, if you want to see the village that won this illustrious prize, you know which place to visit in Teruel.\"Mora<\/p>\n

Map of 10 essential places to visit in Teruel<\/h2>\n