Sabiñán: Churches, Palacio and Hiking Trails

When planning a trip to Sabiñán, you can focus on several different aspects: the architectural history of its churches and Palacio, the landscape views from the Ermita de San Roque, various hiking routes and the local olive variety. This can help you decide whether architecture, trails or regional food culture best matches your interests.

Churches, Palacio and Ermita

The Iglesia de San Pedro Apóstol was built in the 16th century in the Aragonese Mudéjar style. It is listed as a “Bien Catalogado del Patrimonio Cultural Aragonés” (Catalogued Asset of Aragonese Cultural Heritage). The Palacio de los Condes de Argillo is notable for its façade: the main façade is about 34 metres long and consists of brickwork above a base of stone blocks. At the top, it is finished with an arcaded gallery, typical of larger buildings from the Aragonese Renaissance of the 16th and 17th centuries.

The present-day Ermita de San Roque was built in the 18th century; construction was completed around 1730. Its floor plan is in the shape of a Latin cross. The sections of the building have barrel vaults, while the central bay is covered by a hemispherical dome on pendentives. Standing on a promontory, the Ermita overlooks Saviñán and a broad stretch of the Jalón River plain. The Iglesia de San Miguel Arcángel combines remarkable Mudéjar decoration on its exterior façade with the possible former function of part of its tower: the lower section of the octagonal tower may once have been a Muslim minaret. This church is also listed as a “Bien Catalogado del Patrimonio Cultural Aragonés” (Catalogued Asset of Aragonese Cultural Heritage).

Hiking trails and their routes

The SL-Z 26 hiking trail runs along the Acequia Somera and leads to Morés, about six kilometres away. Two other hikes start at the stone bridge in Saviñán. The Andana al Enebro de Valcardera passes through orchards to the path and ravine of Valcardera, as well as the spring, basin and livestock watering troughs at Valcardera; the route is signposted.

The Camino de Morés y Purroy also starts at the stone bridge. It passes through the fields of La Casilla and La Arcada and runs parallel to the route of the former 19th-century railway line as far as Morés. The two routes starting at the bridge therefore differ in their features: the Andana passes through the ravine and the aforementioned sites in Valcardera, while the Camino takes in fields and the former railway line. For all the routes described, it is advisable to check local conditions before setting out.

Negral de Saviñán and local food culture

The olive-growing tradition offers another way to discover the area. Most olive trees in Saviñán are of the Negral de Saviñán variety. The olives are sweet, ripen like raisins and are eaten dried. This links local agriculture with a specific description of the olives’ flavour and use. For travellers interested in regional food culture as well as buildings and trails, the olive variety is a distinct point of interest.

Discover more destinations: Añón De Moncayo, Bordalba, Épila, Cabañas De Ebro, Illueca, Luesia, Torrijo de la Cañada, Cuarte De Huerva.

For the main travel overview: Zaragoza.