Tauste: Mudéjar Tower, History and Traditions

If you’re looking for a hotel in Tauste, you can shape your stay around Mudéjar architecture, archaeological traces and religious traditions. The historical evidence varies considerably in period and type: it includes a medieval church, a pre-Roman settlement, a former Jewish quarter and customs that have been part of the town for centuries.

Iglesia de Santa María and its tower

The Iglesia de Santa María de Tauste is protected as a BIC monument and dates from the late 13th to early 14th century. Its most striking feature is the Torre de Santa María: the octagonal tower stands 46 metres tall and is an important example of Mudéjar towers with an Almohad architectural tradition in Aragón.

The church and tower have different dates. While the church is dated to the late 13th to early 14th century, the tower is most likely from the 11th century. The Torre de Santa María is also interpreted as a former minaret. A mosque that may have stood on this site is part of this historical interpretation; its existence is not presented as an established fact.

The parish museum of the Iglesia de Santa María is housed in three 16th-century chapels. Sculptures and paintings dating from the 13th to 18th centuries are on display there. The chapels and collection offer an additional perspective on the church through works of art spanning several centuries.

Archaeological and urban traces

The ruins of the pre-Roman city of Valdetaus lie along the A-127 Aragón–Tudela road in the municipality of Tauste. They are dated approximately to between 500 and 50 BC. This approximate period places the remains in a much earlier era than the town’s medieval and early modern buildings.

A later chapter in the town’s history can be seen in Barrio Nuevo. It was established after the expulsion of 1492 on the site of Tauste’s former Jewish quarter. Much of the medieval town wall has disappeared, but a few surviving remains still indicate its former course. Together, the named historic quarter and visible traces of the former fortifications offer complementary glimpses of the past.

The Casa de la Cámara belongs to another period of construction: it was built in the second third of the 16th century or at the beginning of the 17th century. The building largely displays the characteristics of Aragonese Renaissance palaces. Along with the chapels of the parish museum, it makes early modern architecture a distinct subject alongside the medieval church.

Festivals and religious traditions

The Rosario de Cristal de Tauste is an annual procession held on 22 April. Participants carry polychrome glass lanterns in various shapes and sizes; the procession takes place weather permitting. If you’re planning your trip around a festival, check the date for the specific year and bear in mind that the Rosario de Cristal is weather-dependent.

The lanterns can be viewed year-round at the Museo del Rosario de Cristal. Check the current access arrangements before your visit. Semana Santa de Tauste is recognised as a Fiesta de Interés Turístico de Aragón and dates back to the arrival of the Franciscans in the 16th century.

The Voto de San Miguel also has deep roots: the vow dates from 1421 and has been observed continuously in Tauste ever since. The traditional Dance de Tauste has been performed in the same form for more than 150 years. These customs offer different points of interest if religious history or traditional performance forms are important to your travel plans.

Canal de Tauste and Route 4

Considering its origins in the 13th century, the Canal de Tauste is considered the oldest canal in Europe still in operation. Route 4 is called “El Ebro y el canal de Tauste” and follows the canal’s right bank. It also visits the mill on the road from Pradilla and the Aqueduct of Las Trabas. Check road conditions before setting out.

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