Discover Belchite: History, Architecture and Steppe

Discover Belchite through its many facets: the history of the Pueblo Viejo, Mudéjar architecture, paths through olive groves and the steppe landscape. To help plan your trip, this guide offers a choice of focus: you can visit historic sites, explore the landscape or learn about the region’s olive oil culture.

The Pueblo Viejo and the history of Belchite

A day visit to the Pueblo Viejo de Belchite traces the area’s history from its medieval origins through the modern era to the Spanish Civil War. This historical sequence includes the battles in the summer of 1937 and in March 1938. A night visit turns to darker history, with stories of witch trials, bloodthirsty bandits and legends of the Battle of Belchite.

The Museo Etnológico offers insights into the way of life, customs and traditions of Belchite’s residents. The Huellas de la Guerra Civil route offers a different historical perspective. It leads to trenches, shelters and other military attack and defence structures. You can follow it independently using a brochure from the Belchite tourist information office; each relic has an explanatory sign.

Architecture and archaeological heritage

Belchite Viejo is protected as a Site of Cultural Interest (Bien de Interés Cultural) in the “Historic Site” category. The Tower of San Martín is a brick tower in the Mudéjar style, whose construction dates to the beginning of the 15th century. Its three sections, decorated with Mudéjar motifs, shape its architecture. San Martín de Tours in Belchite is considered an example of Aragon’s significant Mudéjar architecture.

The Santuario de la Virgen del Pueyo was originally built in the 13th century as a small hermitage and was later expanded into a complex with Renaissance and Baroque buildings. The sanctuary’s tower is listed as a protected asset of Aragon’s cultural heritage. Its form comprises three lower sections with square ground plans and an upper octagonal section.

The Roman settlement of Nuestra Señora del Pueyo is also part of the archaeological heritage of the municipality of Belchite. It was inhabited from the 1st century BC to the 2nd or 3rd century AD. Another recurring tradition is the pilgrimage to the Santuario de la Virgen del Pueyo, held on the Tuesday after Easter Sunday, so its date shifts with the date of Easter.

Olive trails and steppe nature

The Ruta del Olivar offers a different way to experience the landscape. This circular route is more than eleven kilometres long and passes through an area dominated by centuries-old olive trees. It is suitable for walking, cycling or horse riding. As a circular route, it differs in format from the Huellas de la Guerra Civil, whose stops focus on military remains and their interpretation.

The “(Des)conexión Esteparia” experience is a nature walk through the Planaerón steppe in Belchite, led by a biologist. Its route includes four to eight interpretive stops covering the history, management and biodiversity of the protected area. The focus is on threatened steppe birds such as Dupont’s lark, the Black-bellied sandgrouse and the Little bustard. Check availability of the guided nature walk before your trip.

The Centro de Interpretación de las Estepas del Valle del Ebro is located in Belchite. It presents the history and management of the surrounding nature reserves. While the nature walk focuses on the steppe and its birdlife, the centre offers insights into the protected areas and their management.

Olive oil from the Campo de Belchite comarca

Oleotourism in the Campo de Belchite comarca includes visits to centuries-old olive trees and explanations of harvesting methods. An introduction to olive oil tasting shows how the flavour notes, aromas, defects and characteristics of different olive varieties can be distinguished. The full production process for extra virgin olive oil is also explained, from the arrival of the olives through to their processing into olive oil. The region therefore offers a focus on both its landscape and harvest, as well as tasting and production.

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