Of the three provinces that make up the community of Aragon, Teruel is probably the great unknown. However, it is a fascinating city not only in terms of its history but also in terms of its rich cultural heritage and delicious cuisine. Since more than a decade ago its inhabitants demanded more investments and infrastructures to grow with the famous motto "Teruel exists", this province has shown that it has a lot to offer also in terms of tourism.
If you still do not know Teruel, here are several reasons why it should become the destination of your next getaway.
Teruel, capital of Mudejar art
In Teruel we find one of the best examples of Mudejar art in the world, which has earned it to be recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. Mudejar is a symbiosis of the Romanesque and Gothic typical of the West and of the most characteristic decorative elements of Muslim architecture. This style only occurred in the Iberian Peninsula, which was the place where both cultures coexisted for several centuries. Any visitor who likes medieval art will undoubtedly enjoy contemplating the rich historical-artistic heritage of Teruel.
The Cathedral of Santa María was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1986 next to the tower and the dome of the temple. Its tower dates from 1257 and belongs to the tower-door model of great importance in Teruel art. It is one of the first Aragonese Mudejar monuments. It is considered the Sistine Chapel of Mudejar art thanks to its polychrome wooden ceiling decorated with medieval motifs. They offer a complete overview of the society of the Middle Ages.
The oldest Mudejar towers are that of San Pedro and that of the Cathedral. They belong to the mid-thirteenth century. Its decoration is sober compared to those that were built later and has a clear Romanesque influence. Already in the XNUMXth century, the towers of El Salvador and San Martín were raised. Its construction is attributed a tragic legend of love that any person from Teruel knows how to tell. Both are larger than the previous ones, have Gothic features and have an exuberant decorative richness.
The church of San Pedro de Teruel is another of the best examples of Aragonese Mudejar art. It is located near the Plaza del Torico (the nerve center of the city) and dates from the XNUMXth century despite the fact that its tower is older.
Its style is Gothic-Mudejar but over time it underwent several transformations, but the most important took place at the end of the 1555th century and the beginning of the XNUMXth century, when the Teruel Salvador Gisbert painted its walls with a certain modernist historicist air so fashionable Early century. This church is famous because in XNUMX the mummies of the Lovers of Teruel were discovered in the basement of one of the side chapels, which now rest in a beautiful mausoleum adjacent to the church of San Pedro.
Leisure for everyone in Teruel
The leisure offer in the province is very diverse. On the one hand we have Dinópolis, a unique theme park in Europe dedicated to paleontology and dinosaurs, of which important remains have been found in Teruel. On the other hand, Sports fans will be able to enjoy themselves in style on the ski slopes of Javalambre-Valdelinares and in the Ciudad del Motor de Aragón, Motorland, which every year hosts the Aragón Moto GP Grand Prix in Alcañiz, one of the most charming towns in this land.
Likewise, Teruel is the starting point of the Europa Enamorada route thanks to the famous legend of the Lovers of Teruel. The idea was born from the desire of the City Council of this city to twin with Verona, the scene of the even more well-known work Romeo and Juliet by Shakespeare. Since 1997 the city recreates in February the tragic love story of Diego de Marcilla and Isabel de Segura on the occasion of Valentine's Day. During these days, Teruel goes back to the XNUMXth century and its inhabitants dress in medieval clothes and adorn the historic center of the city to represent the legend. This festival, known as the Weddings of Isabel de Segura, attracts more visitors every year.
What's more, Teruel has its own Sanfermines. They also take place in July and are called the Fiestas del Ángel. On the Sunday closest to the San Cristóbal Festivity, La Vaquilla is celebrated, a party that is lived in the street, which makes people of Teruel vibrate and most importantly: that it has as its true protagonist the bull, one of the main symbols of the town. This festival is so beloved that it has its own museum, the Museo de La Vaquilla, which aims to keep the festival and its memory alive.
Charming towns of Teruel
In addition to its capital, Teruel has many other towns that are worth visiting. One of them is considered the most beautiful town in Spain, Albarracín, a town of medieval origin that conserves an impressive fortified enclosure. Mirambel also has a wall in very good condition, cobbled streets and important Renaissance buildings. Mora de Rubielos has a spectacular medieval castle and Valderrobres has no less than six hermitages of different artistic styles.
Ecotourism in Teruel
Teruel has managed to keep most of its natural spaces intact, which represents a gold mine for ecotourism and rural tourism. Some of its most spectacular corners are the Laguna de Gallocanta Nature Reserve, the Parrizal de Beceite, the Sierra de Albarracín or the protected landscape of the Pinares de Rodeno.
Gastronomy
Many of the gourmet products that we currently eat have their origin in Teruel. This is the case of the Ham from Teruel, the peaches from Calanda, the olive oil from Bajo Aragón, the lamb from Aragón, the saffron from Jiloca or some of the best specimens of black truffle that are used every season in restaurants throughout Spain. Could there be any more reason to test this land?
In short, Teruel is an art museum, a show of colors and flavors, a city committed to sport and full of surprises that awaits you with open arms.