A medieval gem hidden in a Tuscany-like gem in the middle of Madrid and Barcelona

History in its purest form, hiking and biking trails, cultural tourism and villages full of nature. region Matarraña in Teruel is a hidden gem that reminds us of Tuscany. and that finds one more reason to visit it in the beautiful streets of medieval towns.

Located in the extreme northeast of the province of Teruel, this 18-town district has a population of only 8,805, the majority of which is split between the two most populous municipalities, Valderrobres and Calaceite (none of which exceeds 2,500). The purest form of peace and ideal place to relax.

Five of them—Beceite, Calaceite, La Fresneda, Ráfales, and Valderrobres—have been declared historic art spaces, and we’ll tell you what to see in each.

skill

The resort of Beceite is located at the highest and most extreme point of the region and this is where it is located. The natural area of ​​the Parrizal de Beceite One with the Matarraña River 11 kilometer routeor we can take a shorter 5 kilometers route along the river called Pesquera route and enjoy all the beauties. benefits of walking going beyond walking outdoors.

we found close Masmut RocksA rock formation over 100 meters high with a circular walking track and worth seeing.

The entrance bridge to Beceite from the 12th century, the Santa Ana hermitage from the 13th century, the San Bartolomé Church from the 18th century or the portal of San Gregorio of Muslim origin are some of the highlights of this city.

Foda Urquizo hostel 60 euros Good option for overnight stay, but you can also do the route by car (you can rent a car from Madrid. 19 euros a day) and stay in one of the larger cities, for example Calaceite.

Double room from 60 euros per night.

RRP €60.00 on Trivago

Mini car rental starting from 19 Euros per day.

RRP in the kayak € 19.00

calorie

One of the reasons to visit Calaceite is, On its hill there is an Iberian settlement dating to the 5th and 2nd centuries BC. and that it was discovered by Juan Cabré Aguiló (1882-1947), one of the pioneers of modern Spanish archaeology. The town hides the Juan Cabré museum and birthplace, but the most interesting thing is the medieval architecture of its streets, perfect for getting lost in.

Our advice to stay Hotel CresolIt is located in the city center and in an old mill from the 18th century.

Hotel Cresol with double room from 105 euros per night.

RRP €105.00 on Trivago

in fresne

This town smells almost like Italian Tuscany and allows us to enjoy the country tourism which is very popular at the moment. La Fresneda, which has a structure full of narrow streets scattered on the side of a small hill, has the ruins of a castle. best sights in the region.

The Plaza Mayor, the 16th-century Town Hall, the Calle Mayor passages, and the 17th-century Church of Santa María la Mayor are some of the highlights of this beautiful town.

Four kilometers from this wonderful town, the Parada de Compte is a charming four-star hotel. 167 € night.

A double room at Parada de Compte starts at 167 Euros per night.

RRP € 167.00 on Trivago

draws

Rafales is a small town of about 200 inhabitants., and it’s the place you’ll want to stay because once you’ve wandered its quiet streets, returning to the city will seem crazy. The 16th-century Renaissance-style town hall is affixed to the old wall above one of the entrance portals, but it’s not the only historic building to be found.

A Levantine Gothic-style church, the castle of the Calatrava order, or the 14th-century “turret” that forms part of the medieval wall are some of the attractions in this beautiful town.

Valderrobres

The capital of the Matarraña region is Valderrobres, and its center is filled with charming steep streets. In the upper part of the historic center are the Castle (12th century) and the Church of Santa María la Mayor.

The 14th-century Plaza de España district is where several 14th-century mansions are located in addition to the town hall. Taking pictures at sunset with the façades and the 14th-century Stone Bridge is the most Instagrammable thing to do in the area (it’s not considered one of the most beautiful sunsets in the world, but it’s not far off).

A bonus: Cretaceous

Although the five towns we mentioned above are those that have been declared historical groups, Crete and cave paintings It’s worth a little diversion. A walk through town and the central square is a must.

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Photos | istock