I recently visited Teruel with my wife Vickie to celebrate our wedding anniversary, and Teruel has been for long on our (my) list of places to visit.....plus I recalled the story of a real life Romeo and Juliet story which means it enjoys the tag of being the most romantic city in Spain.
Teruel is located on elevated terrain in the southern region of Aragon, about 75 minutes north west of Valencia so easily reachable from the Alicante region. Teruel safeguards a significant medieval heritage within its historic center. The cathedral tower, alongside those of San Salvador, San Martín, and San Pedro, stand out as the crowning jewels among a collection of Mudejar monuments designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Draped in legends, especially the tale of the lovers of Teruel, the city retains enchanting corners like the central Plaza del Torico, the arches of the aqueduct, and the beloved Paseo del Oval.
From ancient times, diverse prehistoric and Iberian civilizations settled in the immediate vicinity of present-day Teruel. The city's rise and zenith occurred during the Middle Ages when it fortified its perimeter with walls upon transitioning to Christian territory along the border with the Muslim kingdom of Valencia.
This Islamic influence bequeathed Teruel and Aragon with the most significant Mudejar architectural site in Spain, seamlessly blending Gothic and Muslim elements. The city's central streets lead to the Plaza del Torico, featuring a column crowned with a small bull sculpture, emblematic of the city. Surrounding the square, various Modernist facades from the early 20th century, including those of Casa Ferrán and La Madrilene, add to the visual allure. Nearby, the Casa de la Comunidad (16th century), a splendid Renaissance structure, formerly the Council's seat and now housing the Provincial Museum, showcases archaeological artifacts and a collection of Teruel ceramics.
The Diocesan Museum, situated in the Bishop's Palace (16th-17th century), presents another intriguing collection of artwork. To delve into Teruel's Mudejar legacy, a visit to the Cathedral is essential. Constructed in the 12th century on the grounds of an earlier church, the cathedral's standout feature is its square tower adorned with ceramic embellishments. Inside the cathedral precinct, the Mudejar coffered ceiling, lavishly decorated, commands attention and remains one of the country's most important preserved examples.
Prominently gracing the city's skyline are other captivating Mudejar towers. In Calle Nueva, the San Salvador tower boasts a brick façade, a double series of arches, and intricate ceramic details. The towers of the 14th-century church of San Martín and San Pedro mirror the same design. A chapel in the church of San Pedro commemorates the poignant tale of the lovers of Teruel, wherein young Diego and Isabel, a real life Romeo and Juliet story, entwined in an impossible love, met a tragic end. Juan de Ávalos carved their figures on two sarcophagi that house their mummified remains.
As one traverses the streets where the city walls once stood, additional surprises unfold for visitors, such as the 16th-century aqueduct of the arches spanning the ravine that divides the city, and the picturesque neo-mudejar Paseo del Óvalo.
Teruel is also famous for it's exquisite ham, accredited by the "Jamón de Teruel Denomination of Origin", and from my experience, enjoyed with a beer in the Plaza del Torico, there will not be a better moment!
Venturing beyond Teruel, we have Dinopolis, a dinosaur-themed amusement park. And an absolute must visit is Albarracín, regarded as THE MOST BEAUTIFUL VILLAGE IN SPAIN.
