El Bocal: Water Engineering, History and Nature

El Bocal lies in Navarre, southeast of Fontellas, between the Ebro and the Canal Imperial de Aragón. The 108-kilometre-long canal begins at Bocal de Fontellas and ends in Fuentes de Ebro. Bocal de Fontellas has been declared a monument of cultural interest. For planning your trip, the focus here is on historic waterworks, architecture and nature. If you choose a hotel destination based on specific cultural and nature themes, El Bocal offers several distinct areas of interest.

Water engineering at the start of the Canal Imperial

The Canal Imperial de Aragón begins in El Bocal and runs a total of 108 kilometres to Fuentes de Ebro. A key part of the hydraulic complex is the Casa de Compuertas: it channels water from the Ebro through eleven openings, each with its own gate. The building was originally built as the residence of the canal’s governor. The number of openings and their individual gates give the waterworks a distinct form.

The complex is divided into two areas. One contains the 1790 dam and the 1780 Casa de Compuertas; the other contains the Palacio de Carlos V. A paved road connects the two areas. This layout helps visitors find their way between the buildings while keeping their different functions and dates distinct.

Palacio de Carlos V and historic buildings

The Palacio de Carlos V dates from the 16th century and was originally built as the Casa de Compuertas of the 1528 Acequia Imperial. The building was extensively remodelled in the 19th century, particularly its main façade. The ground floor is made of stone, with two brick floors above it. The main façade features two towers and lower and upper arcaded galleries. The surrounding gardens contain ponds and statues.

Behind the Palacio is an older church from the 16th century, built of ashlar by Gil de Morlanes. Upstream stands an 18th-century church, built on the initiative of the Aragonese canon Ramón de Pignatelli. The area’s history as a settlement is also part of its story: there was an inn for travellers beside the landing place, as the canal was navigable.

Garden, oak and Laberinto Carlos

The Palacio garden is home to the Roble de El Bocal, designated a Natural Monument of Navarre. It is located in the El Vivero area of El Bocal, beside the source of the Canal Imperial de Aragón. The oak is more than 30 metres tall and is estimated to be over 500 years old. This directly connects the area’s natural history with the origin of its canal.

Another named feature is the Laberinto Carlos, a hedge maze covering more than 1,700 square metres. Together with the ponds and statues in the gardens, it offers a view of El Bocal that extends beyond the waterworks and the Palacio.

Walking paths and routes along the Ebro

A nature trail starts at the Palacio de Carlos V and leads to the end of El Bocal. The Camino Natural del Ebro GR-99 runs from the main entrance over the Formigales bridge and through Soto de Fontellas. The GR-99 reaches the historic hydraulic complex via a path lined with reeds. Check local conditions before setting out.

The Camino de Santiago del Ebro also leads to Bocal de Fontellas: along the route beside the Canal Imperial, the site lies about five kilometres beyond Ribaforada. This is separate from the information about the Cortes–Tudela section: this is a linear route of 25.17 kilometres with a low difficulty level. Before setting out, also check the signage and local conditions. This will help you distinguish the paths in the area from the longer route along the canal.

Discover more destinations: Arguedas, Zizur Mayor, Torres Del Río, Roncesvalles, Murillo El Fruto, Tudela, Fontellas, Saragüeta.

For an overview of the wider region: Navarre.