an amazing elevation
Teruel exists. And in addition to existing, it hides authentic jewels of our nature, of our past, our present and our future. It almost emerges from the ashes of oblivion but not by chance, but because among many of its niceties, it keeps in its ranks one of the most beautiful villages in Spain : Albarracin. It is, without a doubt, one of the essential tourist destinations that must be visited at least once in a lifetime.
1. HIS PECULIAR RAISED
Albarracín rises from the same rock, dotting that giant crag of bricks that look like red and gray meanders on which a castle and a wall stand proudly. It almost seems that the city rose to seem impenetrable.
The peculiarity of its elevation means that from any point outside the wall it is possible to the best photography of the Memorie. There is no place where you can't see beautiful Albarracín from the outside.
The silence of its streets
two. THE SILENCE OF ITS CENTENARY STREETS
Inside Albarracín, the sobriety of centennial medieval houses they draw alleys with impossible layouts, cobblestones that once thundered at the pace of a horse and an enveloping silence that becomes mysterious when the day dies and the sun disappears.
Strolling through the streets of Albarracín is feel the breath of centuries of history that have been sculpted by the different dynasties, from the House of Lara to the very crown of Aragon. There are guided tours from the Town Hall, perfect for those less educated in History.
3. IT IS ONE OF THE GREATEST OF OUR HERITAGE
Albarracín is, possibly, one of the most honored towns for culture. It was the first city in Aragon declared Monumental Ensemble , back in 1961. The same is declared Well of Cultural Interest; has received the Gold medal for merit in Fine Arts and has been proposed by the UNESCO as a World Heritage Site.
In addition, these matters are taken very seriously: in Albarracín they have the tireless work of the foundation Santa Maria de Albarracin , a non-profit organization that is responsible for the work of heritage recovery and restoration of its treasures . Thanks to them, Albarracín has once again shone as an icon of the culture of our country.
the imposing cathedral
Four. CATHEDRAL, CASTLE AND WALL
There is no visit to a medieval town if there is no cathedral, a wall or a castle. In the case of Albarracín, we can enjoy the three things , something that gives us the clue of the greatness that the city had in the Middle Ages. The cathedral stands on an old Romanesque temple of the twelfth century, under the watchful eye of a renaissance tower that reused some Roman ashlars.
the castle, the only visitable of the region, it was an old fortress modified with the conquest of the city by the Christians in the thirteenth century and destroyed in the War of Succession. The walls, as old as the city itself, conserve with some visibility one of the three doors who initially guarded the fortress.
5. THE SPECTACULAR GUADALAVIAR ROUTE
There is no person from Albarracín who does not recommend doing the route of the Guadalaviar River around the city of Albarracín. The walk begins practically next to the tourist office, and it is quite well signposted. Through a path where every ten steps it becomes necessary take a photo , suddenly we can meet Hanging bridges that cross the orchards and old ferris wheels that harnessed the power of water when electricity was unthinkable. barely an hour it takes time to go through it and, together with the walk along the walls, it is the ideal plan to get the panorama of the trip.
6. RABID AND PROTECTED NATURE
Everything that surrounds Albarracín is a natural environment where lovers of the environment and outdoor sports they can well feel in paradise. Just three kilometers from the city are the pine forests of the Ródeno, a protected landscape from where many routes are organized for ** hiking ** and where you can find caves with rock art paintings Levantine.
Another spectacularly beautiful enclave is located in the San Pedro Mill Waterfall , a waterfall of the Cabriel River that is a bit hidden but worth finding. And between the eyes of Cabriel and the lagoons of the mountains, a spectacle of oaks, pines, maples and lots of fresh air.
There are multiple trails in Albarracín
7. THE SPECTACULAR MOUNTAIN RANGE THAT SEES THE TAJO BE BORN
Only 38 kilometers separate the town of Albarracín from the source of the longest river in our country. The Tagus rises in a mountain range that is more than 1,800 meters high, in what is called " Universal Mounts ”, and is guarded by the sculpture group " Father Tagus ”.
Next to the personification of the river, three emblems are erected: a bull that symbolizes Teruel, a chalice with a star that symbolizes Cuenca, and a knight that represents Guadalajara. They are the three provinces that shelter the childhood of the river of rivers
8. MRS. WHITE
One of the towers that forms part of the magnificent fortification of Albarracín is the one called Tower of Dona Blanca. Around the tower, flutters one of the legends that has moved the people of Albarricans the most since the Middle Ages. Princess Doña Blanca, belonging to the Crown of Aragon and who was exiled due to disputes with her sister-in-law, came to stay there.
People say that she died of grief in the tower and there she was buried, but she never knew how to lift her secret. It is said that on full moon nights, the ghost of Dona Blanca she appears in the vicinity of the tower, going down to the river where her image fades.
Albarrracin is nestled in the Montes Universales
9. A CHEESE AMONG THE BEST IN THE WORLD
Since 2010, the famous Albarracín cheese has not stopped receiving awards from the World Cheese Awards . The Sierra de Albarracín cheese factory In 2018, it became the second most awarded cheese factory in Spain, with nothing more and nothing less than 12 medals. Its cheeses, such as raw sheep's milk, are characterized by a forceful intensity, perfect for lovers of strong feelings.
10. STEW, MIGAS AND PASTOR'S GAZPACHO
It is the Santísima gastronomic Trinity for those who seek to warm up after having walked the cold streets of Albarracín. It is, without a doubt, three of the most representative from the region and very common on the menu of any local restaurant.
The lamb, the lamb and the bull are special guests in the stews, while game, bacon and vegetables they star in the farce of the shepherd's gazpacho. And if we already accompany with a Teruel ham and pair with Somontane, we can end the trip much more than satisfied.
The streets of Albarracín keep true delicacies