Alcañiz: Gothic Art, Old Town and Landscapes

Alcañiz combines a rich architectural heritage with landscapes and outdoor activities. If you’re looking for a hotel in Alcañiz, you can plan your trip around the themes that interest you most: Gothic and Baroque architecture, the history of the old town, or trails and activities in the surrounding area.

Gothic art and architectural history

Castillo de los Calatravos stands on the Pui Pinos hill. It preserves a significant collection of Gothic murals dating from the first half of the 14th century. Many of the scenes depict secular rather than religious subjects; stylistically, they represent a regional or local variant of the Franco-Gothic or Linear Gothic style. A steep circular path leads up to the castle. The building also has a massive entrance arch set at right angles to the wall, following the pattern of Islamic fortifications. Check visiting arrangements before your trip.

The Torre gótica is the only surviving remnant of Alcañiz’s former Gothic church. Construction began in the 14th century, was interrupted by the plague of 1348, and was not completed until the 15th century. From the rooftop terrace, you can enjoy views of Alcañiz and the surrounding area. The Oficina de Turismo organizes guided tours. Visiting hours vary by season; appointments are made by telephone.

The former collegiate church of Santa María la Mayor has a different architectural form: its three naves are of equal height and are flanked by side chapels, with an aligned transept and a central dome. The sacristy contains Gothic and Renaissance panels from the 15th and 16th centuries. Access to the sacristy may vary.

Underground heritage and an old-town route

The underground passageways are accessible from the Oficina de Turismo. On the tour, you can visit a 15th-century wine cellar and an ice cellar dating from the late 17th century. The air-raid shelter is also part of the historic old-town route: on the route organized by the Oficina de Turismo, it is visited and explained. Reservation arrangements may change.

Landscapes and outdoor activities

Las Saladas consists of about 30 enclosed salt ponds. Evaporation concentrates salts in them; between the ponds are dry-farmed fields and hills with scrub vegetation. The landscape thus shifts between ponds, cultivated land and scrub-covered hills.

A riverside park with trails and pleasant walking routes is being developed along the banks of the Guadalope, where the river flows through Alcañiz. Improvement works may alter some sections. At the La Estanca reservoir, you can enjoy environmentally friendly water sports such as canoeing, sailing and windsurfing; cycling, hiking, horseback riding and fishing are also listed activities there. What’s on offer may vary by season.

The Vuelta a las trincheras route offers a different focus. It runs for about 17 kilometres through the area around Alcañiz and combines nature experiences with several trenches from the Spanish Civil War. The reservoir activities and this longer route with its historical connection offer different ways to experience the landscape. Trail conditions may change.

Rock art and local traditions

The Val del Charco del Agua Amarga rock shelter is one of the caves and rock shelters with paintings that have been recognized as Bienes de Interés Cultural. Trails leading to the paintings start from Alcañiz or Valdealgorfa. Check local access conditions before setting out.

The annual calendar also shapes the city’s cultural life. Holy Week in Alcañiz is marked by blue tunics and percussion played exclusively on drums, without a bass drum. This tradition of Alcañiz dates back to an initiative by Fray Mateo Pestel; the Pregón procession was held for the first time in this context in 1678. A medieval market is also held on the weekend before or after the feast of San Jorge. The annual programme may vary.

The ground floor of the Molino harinero mayor building houses the CIBA, the Centro de lo Íberos del Bajo Aragón. It displays original Iberian and Roman finds from numerous archaeological sites in Alcañiz. The upper floor houses the offices of the regulatory councils for Calanda peaches and extra virgin olive oil from Bajo Aragón. Visiting arrangements may change.

Discover more destinations: El Castellar, Manzanera, Ejulve, Camarena De La Sierra, La Ginebrosa, Fuentes Calientes, Miravete De La Sierra, Albalate Del Arzobispo.

For the broader travel overview: Teruel.