The beautiful Spanish city of Teruel. Open left menu teruel City of Teruel

Located in the very south of Aragon, the city of Teruel was long under Arab rule, which is clearly reflected in its magnificent Mudejar architecture. The best examples of medieval urban development are the Cathedral of Santa Maria (La Catedral de Santa Maria de Mediavilla, XII-XIII centuries), the bell tower of Torre de San Martin (XIV century), the La Escalinata staircase , the church of Iglesia de San Pedro and the tower of the homonymous church of Torre de San Salvador (XIII century) with their carved masonry stones inlaid with colorful tiles typical of Arabic ornamentation. It is very typical for Teruel towers to be located separately from the main church, which is most likely due to Arab buildings, where minarets are often built outside the mosque. Teruel's four churches are included in the UNESCO World Heritage List as unique examples of Moorish-Christian art.

The historical part of the city - Centro Historico - is located on a hill above the Rio Turia River and is famous for its intricate medieval layout with numerous dead-end walls, narrow alleys and houses reminiscent of small fortresses. From the north, the elegant, monumental Los Arcos Aqueduct (16th century) stretches towards it, and in the south, an equally ancient viaduct connects the old center with the modern quarters of the city. The Gothic Church of San Francis (1391-1492), the churches of San Martin and San Miguel (XII century) and the Castillo de Alambes Castle (XV century) are noteworthy. Next to the Cathedral of Santa Maria stands the Palacio Episcopal Palace (XVI century), which now houses the Museum of Church Art with a rich collection of religious objects and decorations from the XIII-XVI centuries. The Provincial Museum has a fascinating archaeological collection, the earliest examples of which date back to the origins of man as a species. The Teruel Museum in Plaza Fray Anselmo contains an extensive collection of the history of local folklore and traditions. And next to Iglesia de San Pedro there is another cult place of the city - Mausoleo de los Amantes (Mausoleum of Lovers) - a chapel with the tomb of the “beloved of Teruel” - Isabel de Segura and Juan Diego Martinez de Marsilla (XIII century. ), legends about which are told throughout Spain.

Almost in the city itself there is www.dinopolis.com "Dinopolis" (open daily from 10.00 to 20.00, admission for adults - 18 euros, for children under 12 years old - 14 euros) - a new theme park telling about dinosaurs. 37 km west of Teruel lies Albarracin- one of the most picturesque cities of Aragon, in which dozens of medieval streets and characteristic tall buildings with balconies have been preserved in virtually intact condition (from 1165 to 1333 the city was the capital of a small independent state - the kingdom of Asahras).

To the east and northeast of Teruel begin the rocky slopes of the Sierra de Gudar and El Maestrasco mountains, famous for their wild beauty, deep gorges and green meadows. It is interesting that even a hundred years ago, many local residents, tired of fighting with wildlife in their attempts to somehow earn a living, left these places and moved to big cities. But their numerous colorful houses and terraced steep hills remain, turning into the calling card of these places, attracting many tourists. It is characteristic that the area around Teruel is considered the coldest and most sparsely populated place in the country, and the terrain here is often so difficult to navigate that many medieval monuments have remained largely unaffected by later eras.

| Teruel - medieval city-museum

Teruel - medieval city-museum

Teruel is one of the most beautiful cities in Spain, the capital of the province of the same name in the autonomous community of Aragon, located on the border with the Valencian Community. This is a city with a long history, in which the Mudejar architectural style, recognized by UNESCO in 1986 as a World Heritage Site, is presented in all its glory.

In the eastern part of the city there are picturesque mountains - the Sierra de Gudar and El Maestrasco, and the landscape is simply mesmerizing - green meadows, majestic mountains, pristine untouched nature, a magnificent view that enchants the eye with its beauty. You can see entire buildings and houses abandoned by the local population - the indigenous population was forced to leave more than a century ago due to historical events of that time. This is what attracts tourists from many countries.

Since Teruel is located in the northern part of the country, the city has a rather harsh climate and is one of the coldest cities in Spain. The climate is influenced by the winds of the Mediterranean Sea, and the weather is often changeable compared to other cities in Spain.

Teruel has a very rich historical past. The city was founded in the ancient Roman period and was subject to the conditions of other invaders. For example, for a long time the empire was under the rule of the Romans, but even after its fall, it belonged to the Muslims, who were able to establish power over the state for a short period of time, and only at the end of the 15th century did Spain finally unite and liberate its lands from the invaders. Therefore, various traditions and customs intersect in the city, which are still found today, and this is especially expressed in the religious views of the population and architecture, but this is where the special zest of this city can be seen.

Even today, Teruel resembles an ancient city with cozy small streets, where every stone keeps its own history. In some ways, the city resembles a labyrinth, as the streets are intricately intertwined with each other and everyone who comes to this city will be able to feel the atmosphere of the Middle Ages.

The architecture of Teruel is created in a rather original Mudejar style, which gives the city a certain charm. Mudejar "mudejar" is a unique architectural style that arose on the Iberian Peninsula as a result of the fusion of cultural traditions of Christian and Islamic arts, which flourished in the Middle Ages. This style is present especially in cathedrals and churches. For example, in the heart of the city there is the famous Cathedral of St. Mary of Mediaville. The appearance of the cathedral has retained all the elements inherent in this architectural style, despite the fact that construction began in the Romanesque style and was completed at the end of the 13th century. In 1986, St. Mary's Cathedral was declared a UNESCO cultural heritage site. Not far from the Cathedral of St. Mary is the Palacio Episcopal, a palace that now houses the Museum of Ecclesiastical Art, which houses a huge collection of unique religious objects and decorations.

Other buildings in Teruel are also made in the Mudejar style: the Church of San Pedro (Iglesia de San Pedro), the Tower of the Church of San Pedro (Torre de San Pedro), the Tower of the Church of San Martin (Torre de San Martin), all of them are included in the UNESCO World Heritage List Heritage. The Church of San Pedro is also famous for the burials of Diego de Marcilla and Isabel de Segura, whose love story is a kind of Spanish version of Shakespeare's tragedy Romeo and Juliet.

According to legend, Diego sets out to win wealth at the request of the father of his beloved, Isabel, the daughter of one of the richest families in the city. Upon his return 5 years later, Diego learns that his bride has been married off. He asks Isabel for a last kiss, but she, like a married lady, refuses him, after which he falls dead, heartbroken. The next day, during the funeral, Isabel leans over the body of her lover to kiss him goodbye and life leaves her. The lovers were buried together in one of the chapels of the Church of San Pedro.

Every year on February 14, Valentine's Day, a theatrical performance of the story of Diego and Isabel is held on the streets of Teruel. All city residents dress up in costumes from the 13th century, and the city plunges into the atmosphere of the Middle Ages. It is worth noting that the city of Teruel is not only a monument of architectural art. The area around the city is famous for its numerous archaeological sites, as well as magnificent examples of rock art, recognized as World Heritage Sites and protected by UNESCO.

But the historical old part of the city is designed in a medieval style. The Gothic Saint-Francis Cathedral deserves special attention. It will also be interesting for tourists to visit the Provincial Museum and get acquainted with interesting archaeological exhibits that have been preserved from ancient times. In Plaza Fray Anselmo there is a museum that displays the folklore and traditions of Teruel. On Toriko Square there is a pedestal for the symbol of the city - the bull; it was in honor of this brave animal that the city got its name.

You can see the panorama of the city by climbing the San Martin Tower. A simply unforgettable panorama of the city opens before tourists. Be sure to visit the bell tower of Torre de San Martin, the Iglesia de San Pedro church and the tower of the homonymous church of Torre de San Salvador. From Toriko Square you can take a small tourist steam locomotive on an interesting excursion to all the most interesting places in the Old and New Towns. The locomotive consists of five carriages and travels along a specially laid path, and during the trip the guide will introduce you to the history of many of the city’s attractions. During this excursion you will visit many architectural monuments and historical sites.

Indeed, Teruel's architecture is very diverse, a rarity for a city of about 100,000 people.

You can get to this city on an excursion from any corner of Spain, and it doesn’t matter whether it’s a city that borders Teruel or Madrid, which is 300 kilometers away. To do this, you just need to contact any travel agency or bureau.

Hiking in the mountains will bring no less pleasure. Nature that amazes with its beauty, fresh air, magnificent views, the opportunity to explore corners of wild untouched nature and look at the abandoned houses of the former inhabitants of Teruel. During the excursions, you will be invited to visit restaurants and cafes, where you can taste delicious traditional cuisine.

The city's infrastructure is well developed. There is a large selection of hotels to suit every taste, but mostly the hotels are three-star, quite cozy and comfortable. The city has many restaurants and cafes where you can enjoy national cuisine. There is also a developed network of stores where you can purchase various quality goods, and the prices will pleasantly surprise you. Be sure to buy a souvenir as a keepsake.

The city also has many entertainment centers, beautiful squares and parks. Every year the city hosts various thematic festivals and celebrations. Be sure to visit the Dinopolis park, which is located in the very center of the city. The park presents a journey through Jurassic Park. Get a lot of positive emotions and impressions, children will be especially delighted. The park also has rides, figures of dinosaurs and other animals. On the territory of the city there is a museum with a collection of real dinosaur bones.

Located on the border with the Valencian Community. This is a city with a long history, in which the Mudejar architectural style, recognized by UNESCO in 1986 as a World Heritage Site, is presented in all its glory.

Mudejar is a unique architectural style that emerged on the Iberian Peninsula as a result of the fusion of cultural traditions of Christian and Islamic arts, which flourished in the Middle Ages. After the overthrow of the Moorish yoke by Christians, some Muslims remained in Spain; they were allowed to preserve their faith, language and cultural traditions, but in return they had to reveal the secrets of their crafts. Such Muslims began to be called Mudejars, and subsequently this became the name for a whole movement in architectural art.

To build Christian churches, monasteries, houses, fortresses and castles, the Mudejars used materials and architectural techniques traditional for Moorish architecture: brick, wood, knock, decorative elements, horseshoe-shaped and multi-bladed arches, vaulted ceilings, inlaid wooden carved painted ceilings and colored tiles. Quadrangular and octagonal bell towers often resemble minarets, and former minarets were often used as foundations for Christian church towers. The buildings of this style are distinguished by a simple, but at the same time elegant appearance. One of the tricks is to specially polish the ceramic tiles used to decorate the walls, thanks to which the tiles begin to shine and sparkle at the slightest sunlight.

The city of Truel has excellent examples of Mudejar art, such as the Catedral of Santa Maria, the Church of San Pedro, the Tower of the Church of San Pedro, the Tower of the Church of San Martin. Martín), all of them are included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. The Church of San Pedro is also famous for the burials of Diego de Marcilla and Isabel de Segura, whose love story is a kind of Spanish version of Shakespeare's tragedy Romeo and Juliet.

Teruel is a small, pretty town of 30 thousand inhabitants and famous for the coldest climate in Spain. The city can be called an open-air museum - there are monuments of Mudejar architecture everywhere.

The town is located 4 hours away from the capital, and you can get to it by bus, or take an inexpensive train to Valencia. The history of Teruel goes back to hoary antiquity, when the Iberians founded a village on this site. Then the territory was captured by the Romans, and then by the Arabs, who gave the village its modern name. Afterwards, the Aragonese kings recaptured it and granted city status.

During the time of Napoleon, the city resisted the invaders so fiercely that it took about 50 years to restore the architecture. During the civil war, the city became famous for the famous Battle of Teruel.

It is located in the very center, next to the city hall, at the crossroads of Calle Nueva and Calle de San Francisco. At first, on the site of the cathedral there was a church in the Romanesque style, rebuilt by Arab craftsmen in 1257. All this is reflected in its slightly oriental appearance in the Mudejar style: the appearance of the building has Spanish-Muslim and Andoan elements of art.

The dome is painted with everyday and religious scenes from the life of the 14th century. The length of the roof is more than 30 meters. An interesting detail: there is a sundial on the wall of the cathedral. The cultural and historical significance of the cathedral is so great that it is not only included in the UNESCO list, but is also depicted on the five-euro coin.

Location: Plaza de la Catedral - 3.

The tower is part of the Nueva Church and rises on the street of the same name southwest of the cathedral. Among all the towers in the city, it is the youngest - construction dates back to the 14th century. On the inner walls there are medieval household paintings, and the outer part is decorated with white and green ceramic patterns.

You can enter the tower (and church) through an inconspicuous door. And at the top there is a platform with the most magnificent views of the city.

Location: Calle el Salvador - 7.

Opposite the Cathedral is the most beautiful historical monument of Renaissance architecture in the city - the Bishop's Palace. It houses a museum of religion with a huge, varied collection of interesting medieval items.

The construction of the church dates back to the 16th century, and you can find it opposite the Tower of the Savior. The style of architecture is Mudejar. At the site of the church, things of the monks were found, which suggests that there used to be a monastery on this site.

The building consists of a nave with bays and side chapels. In the high choir of the church there is a solemn organ. The majestic altar is in Plateresque style. The bell tower was completed at the beginning of the 18th century.

Location: Calle Alforja - 34.

The main square of the city is famous for its original church, whose bell tower is a curious example of the Moorish style. But the most notable attraction is the monument to the local Romeo and Juliet - the mausoleum of lovers. The townspeople have been supporting this romantic story for more than 5 centuries, and it began back in 1217. Juan was very much in love with young Isabel, but, alas, he was an impoverished nobleman.

Isabel's father gave the young man five years to improve his financial situation, but only on the day when the rich Juan joyfully entered the city did the wedding bells ring. Not because the beloved did not wait, but because the waiting time allowed by the priest had expired. According to legend, without ever begging a kiss from his beloved, the young man died right on the spot. And when he was buried, the girl also died of a heart attack. As it happens, the story of their love went for a walk throughout Spain, and in 1555 a tomb with the bodies of two young people was discovered in a church. It is believed that these are the “Lovers of Teruel”.

Location: Calle Hartzembusch - 7.

Not far from the Tomb of the Lovers stands the Church of St. Martin. Its square tower dates back to the 11th century, but the brick fortifications date back to the 16th century. The tower is more than 40 meters high. What sets it apart from other city towers is the rich, interesting ceramic design consisting of diamonds and circles that adorns each arch of the tower.

Location: Calle San Martin - 1.

Teruel's "bull square" (as the name Torico is translated) appeared in the 12th century. According to urban legend, it was at this place that Christians saw a bull with the star of Actuel.

Deciding that this was a sign from God, they made the bull and the star symbols of the city, which the townspeople now depict everywhere. And on the square itself there is a six-pointed marble column with a small copper bull crowning it and copper stars in a circle. Before this, the Francoists tried to replace the symbol of the city with a cross, but after the death of Franco, the bull was screwed into place.

The best example of Art Nouveau in Teruel is located in Plaza Carlos Castell. Casa El Torico is a modern building from 1912 that previously belonged to the wealthy Lopez family. And the house received its modern name because of the Toriko store. The three-story building is completely harmonious: light lilac facades are decorated with white ceramic and metal decor.

Location: Plaza Carlos Castel.

The history of the construction of the almost 4,500-meter Teruel Aqueduct goes back to 1537, when the city quickly began to need clean, cool water. Due to the enormous costs, construction lasted fifteen years and ended only in 1552. Special two-level arches, in a classical style, helped the water cross the ravine, and in total there were 7 above-ground, 40 underground and one shaft. There were 14 springs branching off from the main water supply.

Location: Carretera de Alcaniz.

The main staircase connecting Ovalo Boulevard with the railway station appeared in 1920. The now modernized design of the staircase includes an elevator that returns visitors to the city street.

Location: Calle San Francisco - 8.

Teruel has the most modern paleontological park. Here you will find hundreds of interesting exhibits telling about the evolution of our planet. The excursion takes place on a small train, making an exciting journey back in time to 65 million years ago.

There are dinosaur models and real fossils here. In addition to the amusement park, Dinopolis also has a research center known for its scientific discoveries. There is also a Paleontological Museum with three large halls and four interesting exhibitions. And for hungry tourists there are bars and restaurants with delicious national cuisine.

Location: Polígono los Planos.

Additionally, it can be noted that the best time to visit the city is mid-February. On Valentine's Day, Teruelians dress up in medieval costumes and hold a medieval fair. It ends with a staging of the legend of the Lovers of Teruel. You can also visit the city on July 7-12 - during the long Angel Fair. And on July 10, a colorful city festival takes place.

The stunning Spanish city of Teruel attracts travelers from all over the world not only with its centuries-old history, thanks to which it has become the most beautiful city in the country, but also with the special atmosphere of antiquity that reigns here. The uniqueness of Teruel lies in the fact that it is a real open-air museum of architecture, in the magnificent Spanish-Moorish Mudejar style. There are a great many priceless monuments of medieval architecture included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.

City of Teruel stands in the northeastern part of Spain, and belongs to the autonomous community of Aragon. To the east of Teruel are the beautiful Sierra de Gudar and El Maestrasco mountain ranges, which attract eco-tourists with their magnificent, breathtaking deep gorges and bright green meadows - together creating beautiful landscapes. Teruel is a small Spanish town with a population of only thirty-five thousand people. In ancient times, back in the pre-Roman period, when it actually arose, the settlement was called Turbolet. Then it passed into the hands of the Romans, and when this powerful empire fell, the city was captured by Arab conquerors, who established power over the city for several centuries. These centuries could not but affect the architecture of the city, and many Muslim traditions and customs were eventually adopted by local Christians. As for the amazing architecture, the mixture of Eastern and Western cultures in Teruel gave rise to an absolutely amazing style that can only be found in some Spanish cities - “Mudejar”. It can be seen especially clearly in religious buildings: churches, cathedrals that grew up on the site of former Muslim mosques. Walking through the ancient quiet streets of Teruel, you realize that almost nothing has changed here since the Middle Ages: you can feel some unique atmosphere of antiquity here. The narrow streets are so intertwined that Teruel very much resembles a labyrinth.

Cathedral of Saint Mary in Teruel– “Catedral de Santa María de Teruel” was built in the twelfth century in the Romanesque style, and at the end of the thirteenth century, under the leadership of the Arab architect Husaffa, it was rebuilt in the Mudejar style. Then, over the next centuries, the architecture of the building underwent the following changes, the “Plateresque” and “Neo-Mudéjar” styles were introduced here. Since 1986, the Cathedral of Santa Maria has been included in the UNESCO cultural heritage list.

Museum of Religious Art– “Museo de Arte Sacro de Teruel” - is located in a beautiful historical architectural monument - the Bishop's Palace. It houses a rich collection of sacred exhibits: cult objects, religious items and unique jewelry from the period from the thirteenth to the sixteenth centuries.

Church of San Pedro– “Iglesia de San Pedro”, located behind the main square of Teruel – “Plaza Carlos Castel”. This church, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, was built in the fourteenth century on the site of a Franciscan monastery built in 1220. The church bell tower is the oldest example of the beautiful Moorish style. This is both an incredibly romantic and sad place in the city, within the walls of which there is a monument to tragic love - the “Mausoleum of Lovers”. According to medieval legend, lovers are buried here who could not get married, despite the strength of their feelings: the young man went to war to get rich, since he was too poor to marry such a wealthy bride, and the girl was married off while he was away . When he returned and found out that his beloved belonged to another, he died of grief. At the funeral, the girl wanted to kiss the guy for the last time, but her heart broke from shattered hopes. They were buried in the Church of San Pedro nearby, installing two majestic tombs with beautiful sculptural images of “Teruel lovers” holding hands.

Teruel Aqueduct– “Traída de las Aguas de Teruel”, a very interesting structure of the Spanish Renaissance, erected due to the need to supply the rapidly growing city with water, until then coming to Teruel from large reservoirs, built in the fourteenth century, located in the Plaza Carlos Castel and small wells in city center. Construction of the aqueduct began in 1537. It was supposed to cross two ravines, thanks to the erected arches in the classical style, which, in addition to their direct purpose, would also play an aesthetic role. The aqueduct has a two-level design: the upper span has six arches, the lower - two. In 1558, this water supply was already brought to the Plaza Mayor. Fourteen water sources were installed throughout the city, to which six and a half thousand pipes were connected. Forty underground arches, an underground shaft, and the length of the underground galleries were almost a kilometer were used during construction.

"Tower of the Savior"– “Torre del Salvador” - located a hundred meters from the building. It is located on Nueva Street, being part of the church. The Tower of the Savior dates back to the fourteenth century, its outer walls are decorated with beautiful ceramic and stone ornaments, white and green. The entrance to the Tower of the Savior can be made through a small door, from Paseo del Ovalo, on the right side of the building. The entrance to the church itself is also located here.

Tower of St. Martin's Church– “Torre de la iglesia de San Martin” - rises on Perez Prado Square. The base of the tower is square, and its corners are reinforced with sixteenth-century stonework. The height of the tower is forty meters, it is decorated with magnificent ornaments and exquisite geometric patterns - circles, rhombuses, chess patterns.

Toriko's House– “Casa El Torico” is the best example of the Art Nouveau style that has survived to this day in the province of Aragon. It stands in Plaza Carlos Castel. The building was erected in 1912 for a wealthy local Lopez family. And the house acquired the name “Toriko” thanks to the name of the fabric store on its first floor. The building is incredibly beautiful: its lilac facades are harmoniously decorated with white decorative elements made of brick, ceramics, and forged metal. The main facade of the house, consisting of three floors and terraces, faces the square, the other two facades are more modest.

Architecture lovers have something to admire here: after all, in the Spanish city of Teruel, no matter the cathedral or church, there is always a fascinating story. But for tourists with children, there are places to go in Teruel.

Theme park "Dinopolis"- “Dinópolis” is a place entirely dedicated to dinosaurs, located almost in the center of Teruel. Here you and your child will find a skillfully recreated world of dinosaurs thanks to the use of modern technology. The journey through it begins with “Travel in Time” - “Viaje en el tiempo”, during which Doctor Dinopolis will tell where and how the planet Earth and life on it came into being. And outside the window of the trailer in which you will be, geological epochs and important events on a cosmic scale will flash by. On another attraction - “The Last Minute” - “El último minuto”, they will illustrate the events that took place sixty-five million years ago, and there you will also find out the answer to the question: “Why did the dinosaurs disappear?” Millions of years will flash before your eyes: you will see how dinosaurs disappeared, and mammals took their place, and a little later “Homo sapiens” - “Homo sapiens” - appeared. Thanks to bright models and installations, you will see scenes of the life of ancient people and learn how dangerous their life was. This theme park houses the largest Paleontology Center in Europe. In the Spanish city of Teruel there are thirteen places where archaeologists are searching for the remains of ancient fossil creatures, they have already discovered fossils of the world's largest dinosaur - Turiasaurus riodevensis, which lived one hundred and forty-five million years ago. It was a giant, weighing fifty tons and forty meters long. His huge skeleton was reconstructed and took center stage in the museum's exhibition. There are many more interesting exhibits here: fossils with traces of extinct dinosaurs and other fossil creatures, individual bones of animals and their entire skeletons. In the “Hall of Dinosaurs” - “Sala de los Dinosaurios” you will see a tyrannosaurus and a brachiosaurus. By the way, the Dinopolis park is the only one in the world where these monsters are together. In the “Hall of Extinction” - “Sala de la Extinción” you will see the Nantan meteorite, which fell in 1516 in China. In the “Hall of Mammals” - “Sala de los Mamíferos” you will meet a family of mammoths and a cave bear. The cost of a regular adult ticket is twenty-four euros, for pensioners over sixty years old - nineteen euros, for children from four to eleven years old - nineteen euros, for children under four years old - free. You can safely devote a full day to this entertainment. The park has interesting carousels, rides, and swings.

You can get to the city of Teruel from the Spanish capital or from by bus; the travel time will be from four to six hours. It will not be so convenient to do this by train: the city is remote from high-speed rail connections.

Getting to know the city of Teruel will open a new page in your life, you will learn a completely new face of Spanish architecture. In addition, this city is famous for its numerous squares and parks and its amazing national cuisine.