The town with a Gothic castle of Muslim origin that dates back to the twelfth century
Spain houses various peoples loaded with charm and historical heritage. One of these tale villas is Valderrobres, located in the heart of the Matarranya region, in the province of Teruel. This region is popularly known as the Spanish version of the Italian Tuscany, since it has many similarities, such as stone bridges that cross the rivers or buildings with brick roofs and combinations of different architectural styles.
In addition, the people of Valderrobres were declared a cultural interest in the historical set in 2004 by the Government of Aragon. Some of the emblematic structures that make up its medieval urban complex are: the Gothic Castle of Muslim origin, the Gothic Church of Santa María la Mayor, the stone bridge and the Torre de San Roque door that welcome the old town of the Villa.
The Matarranya region also has some natural jewels in areas such as the ports of Beceite, where the Masmut rocks are located. In addition, the territory is surrounded by a variety of flora with pine forests, almonds and maple, among others. The region offers different activities to perform alone or in company, such as hiking routes, cycling or rural tourism.
The Matarranya region
Located at the northwest end of the province of Teruel, the Matarranya region houses a large number of natural and artistic treasures. The region has 18 populations: sand de Lledó, Beceite, Calaceite, Cretas, Fórnoles, La Fresneda, Fuentespalda, Lledó, Mazaleón, Monroyo, Peñarroya de Tastavins, La Portellada, Ráfales, Torre de Arcas, Torre del Compte, Valdeltorm, Valderrobres and Valjunquera. Although Calaceite is the cultural capital, Valderrobres is the town with the largest population, since it has more than 2,500 inhabitants of the total of the region of the region.
The territory is mostly mountainous, although it also has more flat areas. The area with greater irregularities and level changes is the area of the Ports of Beceite, reaching heights of about 1,400 meters. This place also includes the popular Masmut rocks and it is about one of the most attractive spaces in the entire region. In addition, the territory is surrounded by several rivers that are in good condition, such as the Matarraña, the Algars, the ulldemó and the Tastavins.
The area of the ports is surrounded by forest coverage with species such as wild pine, black pine, clues, holly, hazelnuts, holm oaks and oaks. In the areas close to the rivers we find species such as poplars, ash and small forests of pine pine, while the most agricultural stripes have olive, almond and vineyard crops.
The Villa de Valderrobres
Among the various municipalities of the Matarranya region, the town of Valderrobres stands out for its medieval urban complex of great beauty. The Villa, declared a cultural interest in the historical set in 2004, is formed by a Gothic fortification of Muslim origin that dates back to the twelfth century, becoming the fourteenth century into a palace. To access the villa, the stone bridge and the Torre de San Roque Puerta, one of the seven doors of its old wall, where the Bergós portal is still preserved. When crossing this entry we arrive at the Plaza de España, where old palaces are found such as the house of the Pereret and the City Council dating from 1599. In addition, the building contains typical characteristics of the Renaissance Aragonese palaces, such as the cantilever roof or the upper arcade gallery.
Another of the most important historical buildings is the parish church of Santa María la Mayor, which is linked to the Gothic style castle and was built between the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries. It is one of the main figures of Aragonese Gothic architecture with great artistic components. In addition, in the town we can visit other emblematic places:
- The Palau: It is one of the oldest buildings in Valderrobres that was the tax collection headquarters. It belonged to the Archbishop of Zaragoza, like the castle, and in it the old hospital was located until the nineteenth century. Currently, the building is privately owned mostly.
- The old laundry room: the Valdarrobres City Council built three municipal laundries in 1931 where the casting tasks could be performed in a simple way. In addition, it had a part destined for the dishes and an overview for animals. These laundries were supplied by the major ditch of the Matarraña River and were the visitors's news exchange center.
- The Bergós portal: these portals crossed the old walls built around 1390. These walls had seven doors that correspond to the roads that lead to the rest of surrounding villages. This particular portal led to the population of Torre del Compte.
- The stone bridge: this bridge next to the San Roque portal offers the entrance to the old town of Valderrobres. It is a medieval four -eyed bridge with wedge -shaped tajamares that protect it from large floods. At the end of the 16th century it was consecrated to San Roque, the patron of the town and protector of epidemics.
- Hermitage of the Saints: Although the exact date of its construction is unknown, it is dated around 1420. This hermitage has suffered various sinks and reconstructions, such as 1685. Today, the pilgrimage is celebrated on August 19, in which the inhabitants of the municipality are directed to it.
- Ermita of San Miguel: It was built in the medieval era around the fourteenth century and is a set formed by the hermitage, the farmhouse and the outside, the pens, a couple of eras and a haystack. In the seventeenth century he suffered a great fire that forced to rebuild it from the beginning.
