Teruel is a fascinating province that hides stories and legends, a spectacular cathedral, castles and dreamy natural spaces. However, if there is anything that could match all this, it is the towns of Teruel, with high walls that take you back to the Middle Ages and alleys full of magic. Moreover, the most beautiful towns in Teruel are the perfect excuse to go on a route or make a small weekend getaway.
Valderrobres is another town with many charms, with an architectural heritage of great value. Located in the region of Matarraña, by the town passes the river of Matarraña, creating a beautiful picture. The visit to the old town begins in the gothic bridge that crosses the river, where also it is remarkable the portal of San Roque. The castle of Valderrobres crowns the village, being this image one of the most recognized of the town. At the foot of the castle is the palace, an imposing construction that experts believe dates back to the 15th or 16th century. Attached to the castle-palace is the church of Santa María la Mayor, an example of Levantine Gothic.
Located in the region of Matarraña, the urban area of Calaceite has been declared a Historic-Artistic Site. The town is a few kilometres from the border with Catalonia, so it opens the doors to visit other nearby towns. It is a place of great architectural value, in which the centre is articulated around the baroque style parish church and the main square. Here you can see the town hall, which dates back to 1609, and walk around while discovering the beautiful streets with their ancestral homes decorated with wrought iron balconies. Other places of interest are the “font de Vila”, a Gothic-style fountain; the chapel of San Roque, a Renaissance work from 1613; and the tower of Calaceite, among others.
Albarracín is one of the most beautiful towns in Teruel as well as one of the best known. The town itself has been declared a National Monument and is proposed to be declared a World Heritage Site due to the beauty and relevance of its historical heritage. At an altitude of 1182 metres on the side of a mountain and surrounded by the Guadalaviar River, Albarracín has a fascinating old town. To visit Albarracín is to be taken back to the Middle Ages, walking between walls and towers. Furthermore, do not miss the 16th century cathedral of El Salvador, the Alcazar and the Episcopal Palace.
In the Maestrazgo region is Mirambel, one of the most beautiful towns in Teruel. Between walls, it seems that in this village time has stopped, being a very quiet place. Its old town, which won the Europa Nostra Award for conservation, stands out. A medieval complex that belonged to the Military Order of San Juan. The walls completely surround the complex, sometimes hidden between the houses attached to them. Part of the wall was built by Templar knights.
Walking through its streets you can discover architectural jewels such as the Portal de las Monjas, known for its gypsum latticework. Also relevant is the convent of the Agustinas, of great value, as well as the church of Santa Margarita and the town hall, which was completed in 1615.
Rubielos de Mora is located in the region of Gúdar – Javalambre, and is formed by manor houses and buildings of interest creating a special Historic-Artistic Site. It is known as “the portico of Aragon” because it is a natural viewpoint of Teruel. Its history goes back to the time of the dinosaurs so many of the fossils found in the surroundings can be seen in the centre of Dinópolis next to the town.
Rubielos de Mora has a lot to offer, such as its ex-collegiate church Santa María la Mayor, built in the 16th century and renovated in 1620. Inside, there is a large Gothic altarpiece dedicated to the life of the Virgin. Another of its most striking buildings is the town hall, of large dimensions and Renaissance style. The convent of Carmelitas Descalzos and its cloister as well as the one of Madres Agustinas are also remarkable.
Cantavieja is known because it was one of the most important historical enclaves of Teruel’s Maestrazgo in the Middle Ages. Although in the area there are remains of an Iberian, then Roman, settlement and also of the Muslim occupation, the development of Cantavieja took place in 1169 when Alfonso II conquered the town. Three decades later it would become part of the Order of the Temple. At present, it has been declared a Historic-Artistic Site.
Discovering Cantavieja is an adventure. At the top of the town there is a castle with a triangular floor plan, which is quite unusual, being the oldest building that is still preserved. The importance of Cantavieja during the Middle Ages and the Renaissance is evident in the main square. Here we find the town hall and the church of the Asunción de Nuestra Señora, a large baroque temple, among other examples of civil and religious heritage.
It may not be as popular as others, but its charm makes it one of the most beautiful towns in Teruel. Located in the Matarraña region, at the foot of Puertos de Beceite, it is a town where rivers, forests and mountain ranges converge, creating spectacular mountain landscapes. In addition to the natural beauty of its surroundings, the town of Beceite has been declared an Asset of Cultural Interest. During your tour you will discover elements such as the five portals that are preserved in the medieval perimeter. The fifteenth-century Gothic market stands out, with its several pointed arches. The church of San Bartolomé also stands out, dating from the 17th and 18th centuries, where you can see its Baroque doorway with Solomonic columns and its 12th-century chapel.
Known for its historical past, La Fresneda is located in the Matarraña region, on the side of a mountain. It has been declared a Historic-Artistic Site, and in the buildings of the village you can see stonework, basketwork, forging and traditional embroidery. One of the most important architectonic sets of here is the greater seat, in which the town hall is located, finished in 1576 with a gothic-renaissance style. Other places of interest are the Casa de la Encomienda, the former residence of the Commander, which was built in the 16th century. Neither should we forget the church of Santa María la Mayor, which has a medieval origin and dates from the 17th century. It has a Renaissance style and its octahedron bell tower stands out.
