Coldest towns in Spain

The coldest towns in Spain they have nothing to do with those of the Nordic countries or Central Europe. Its temperatures are extreme because they are low, but without a doubt milder than those of certain localities of Sweden, Norway o Iceland.

The climate of Spain, except in very specific places, is quite benign. Even in provinces like Málaga, Almería o Grenada es subtropical. This is even more accentuated if we talk about the Canary Islands. But even in the Bay of Biscay there is an oceanic climate that, although it is rainy, is not excessively cold either. Despite all this, there are locations in our country that reach freezing temperatures in winter. We are going to show you those coldest towns in Spain and what you can see in them.

Molina de Aragon

This town which, despite its name, is in the province of Guadalajara has recorded several times the coldest temperatures in our country. In January it presents average temperatures of -3,5 degrees centigrade, although in December 2001 that average dropped to -11 degrees. In addition, during the winter it freezes 80% of the nights.

Of course, that is nothing if we take into account that in the winter season of 1952 it reached the –28 degrees. It is true that the cold of its inhabitants is compensated by the heat of summer. In August 1987, a maximum of 38 degrees was recorded.

In any case, we recommend that you visit Molina de Aragón, which is located more than a thousand meters above sea level. Despite having only about three thousand inhabitants, it holds the title of city for its history. And, also because of it, it offers you various monuments of interest.

The most prominent is the castle that dominates it from the top of a hill and is one of the largest in Spain. Not surprisingly, it was a real fortress that, even today, shows a great outer wall with several defense towers joined by two inner ones.

You must also see in Molina de Aragón the beautiful XNUMXth century Romanesque bridge and Church of Santa María la Mayor de San Gil, with its two spectacular Mannerist portals and its wonderful Renaissance main altarpiece from the beginning of the XNUMXth century. Finally, visit the Saint Francis monastery, dating from the XNUMXth century and which has an interesting regional museum. It also houses the tomb of Doña Blanca de Molina, granddaughter of Alfonso IX de León and founder of the monastery, although her remains are no longer there.

Calamocha, in the so-called coldest triangle in Spain

This town forms, together with Molina de Aragón itself and the city of Teruel, the triangle of the coldest towns in Spain. Calamocha is located in the Jiloca region, precisely in the province of Teruel, at almost nine hundred meters of altitude.

But the interesting fact for the topic we are talking about is that on December 17, 1963, it registered a temperature of –30 degrees centigrade. It is one of the lowest obtained in a populated area of ​​our country. But, although it has not repeated that figure, it is not uncommon for the town to register frigid temperatures. For example, in December 2001, it reached -20 degrees.

However, Calamocha is also worth a visit for its rich monumental heritage. He highlights his Roman bridge, vestige of the route that united César Augusta with Cástulo. But also various religious constructions such as the church of Santa María la Mayor and the hermitage of Santo Cristo, both from the XNUMXth century, or the Convent of the Religious Conceptionists. Also, in the municipality of Calamocha there is one of the best sets of Mudejar towers of Aragon, many of which are part of temples such as those of Lechago or Navarrete del Río

As for its civil constructions, one of the jewels of the town is the Palace of Vicente Iñigo, a beautiful manor house. And, next to her, the River House, the Casino building and the Rectory House. But, as is the case with religious heritage, there are also marvels of civil architecture in the surroundings of Calamocha that you should visit. This is the case, for example, of Peracense Castle, dating from the XNUMXth century and truly spectacular both for its location on a colossal stone and for its construction.

La Torre de Cabdella, perhaps the coldest town in Spain

This town is located in the province of Lleida, specifically in the Pallars Jussá region, at an altitude of more than a thousand meters. We tell you that, perhaps, it is the coldest town in Spain because in February 1956, the meteorological station located in Lake Estangento, within its municipal district, registered -32 degrees.

But this municipality of Lleida also offers you numerous monuments that will fascinate you. It has several romanesque churches among which stand out that of Sant Martí la Torre, declared a Historic-Artistic Monument, that of San Vicente de Capdella, built in granite, and that of San Julián de Espuy. We also advise you to visit estavill, a charming little town that preserves all its medieval structure.

Reinosa

We are now moving to the north of Spain to take you to this town of Cantabria located at the foot of Alto de Campo. Because on January 1971, XNUMX, it registered a temperature of –24,6 degrees centigrade. She has never repeated that figure, but the cold is normal for her every year.

In addition, Reinosa is a monumental jewel in itself. In the surroundings of the Town Hall Square you can see several interesting constructions. Among them, the houses of the Marquis of Cilleruelo, of the Princesses, of Cossío and of the Mioño, as well as the Principal Theatre.

But the most emblematic building in the city is the House of the Golden Boy, also called La Casona and built at the end of the 1808th century. It burned down in XNUMX and had to be rebuilt, but in doing so the original neoclassical canons were respected. Among its elements, the entrance stands out, flanked by columns of the Tuscan order.

As far as the religious constructions of the locality, it emphasizes the church of san sebastian, a beautiful baroque temple finished off in the XNUMXth century. Like the previous one, it is a Site of Cultural Interest. And, together with both monuments, we advise you to see others in Reinosa such as the chapel of San Roque, the convent of San Francisco, charles iii bridge or the source of the Aurora.

Sigüenza, another sample of the coldest towns in Spain in Guadalajara

We return to the province of Guadalajara to show you another of the coldest towns in Spain. In this case, it is Sigüenza, which not long ago registered a temperature of –14,4 degrees centigrade. It is true that it was during a snowstorm, but extreme cold is common in this historic town.

Because, apart from the freezing temperatures, there is much that Sigüenza offers you. Not in vain, all of it bears the title of Historic Artistic Set since 1965. One of its main symbols is the imposing Castle of the Bishops of Sigüenza, built in the XNUMXth century and currently restored to be used as a tourist hostel.

We also advise you to visit the spectacular Cathedral of Santa María, built between the XNUMXth and XNUMXth centuries, although it is mostly Gothic. If it is pretty on the outside, you will be even more impressed by its interior. The chapel of the Annunciation and the altarpieces of Santa Librada stand out, both of a spectacular Plateresque style. So is the mausoleum of Don Fadrique de Portugal, while the Main Sacristy stands out for its impressive coffered vault. To finish your visit to the temple, be sure to see the cathedral museum, which houses tapestries and military flags of great historical value.

In short, it would be impossible to mention here everything you will find in Sigüenza. But we will cite, as examples, the Palaces of the Infantes and Episcopal, the churches of Santiago and San Vicente and the spectacular Plaza Mayor, Renaissance style.

Arties, in the Aran Valley

We now return to the province of Lleida to tell you about this small town located in the heart of aran valley, a very cold area of ​​Spain. A few years ago, its four hundred inhabitants suffered a minimum temperature of –13,5 degrees centigrade.

As in the previous cases, this small town has monuments of interest. We advise you to visit the church of Santa Maria, built between the XNUMXth and XNUMXth centuries and considered an emblem of Romanesque architecture in the area. Next to it, in addition, there is a tower and other remains of the old Castle of Arties.

Instead, the church of san juan It is Gothic in style and its octagonal bell tower will catch your attention. For its part, the house of the Portola It is the current tourist hostel and was built in the XNUMXth century. Next to it, you can also see the chapel of saint anthony, which houses a polychrome Baroque altarpiece. Also, pay attention to the typical Aranese houses of the town.

In conclusion, we have shown you some of the coldest towns in Spain. But we could also have told you about cantalojas, in Guadalajara, which reached -20,8 degrees Celsius; from voyeur, in Ávila, where they suffered –14,8, or The veredilla, in Cuenca, which suffered -13,6 degrees. All this not to mention provincial capitals such as Teruel o Albacete. However, despite the cold, don't you feel like visiting these towns?