The "villa roya"
Villarroya de la Sierra, the villa roya or reddish due to the dominant colour of its surroundings, it is situated at the foot of the Sierra de la Virgen, with the whole of its hamlet on a gentle slope towards the River Ribota. There is evidence of settlements dating back to ancient times.
During the Islamic era, it becomes clear that the land was utilised and cultivated with all the development and improvement of systems of hydraulic engineering, construction systems, as well as the urban landscape.
The town will play a key role during the wars on border wars against Castile, since it possessed an significant fortified compound of which we still have evidence today: los conocidos como Castillo de la Reina y del Rey son dos torreones defensivos que vigilaban un recinto amurallado del que se conservan la puerta Baja y la puerta Vieja, de aspecto mudéjar, además de un gran lienzo de muralla de tapial.
The Queen’s castle, of probably Muslim origin, dates from the 10th and 11th centuries; and the King’s castle was built as the city grew the city during the rule of Aragon in the late 13th century.
Villarroya de la Sierra, the villa roya o reddish due to the dominant colour of its surroundings, it is situated at the foot of the Sierra de la Virgen, with the whole of its hamlet on a gentle slope towards the River Ribota. There is evidence of settlements dating back to ancient times.
During the Islamic era, it becomes clear that the land was utilised and cultivated with all the development and improvement of systems of hydraulic engineering, construction systems, as well as the urban landscape.
The town will play a key role during the wars on border wars against Castile, since it possessed an significant fortified compound of which we still have evidence today: los conocidos como Castillo de la Reina y del Rey son dos torreones defensivos que vigilaban un recinto amurallado del que se conservan la puerta Baja y la puerta Vieja, de aspecto mudéjar, además de un gran lienzo de muralla de tapial.
The Queen’s castle, of probably Muslim origin, dates from the 10th and 11th centuries; and the King’s castle was built as the city grew the city during the rule of Aragon in the late 13th century.
Projects Region Mudéjar in Villaroya de la Sierra
“Circular” Family walks | View project
Project Mudetrad | View project
Mudéjar educational, the guide | View project
More information
Town Hall: 976 899 001
villarroyadelasierra.es
Association for Comprehensive Development of the Region of Calatayud and Region of Aranda.
galcar.es
VISITA VILLARROYA DE LA SIERRA
976 633 296
WOULD YOU LIKE TO FIND OUT MORE?
Tourism Region Community of Calatayud
comunidadcalatayud.com
Centre for Studies Bilbilitanos
cebilbilitanos.co
Territorio Mudéjar Network
The town council has been a member of the Territorio Mudéjar since April 2022.
A historic urban fabric
The town grew in population and went on to develop a new neighbourhood to the east, now known as Calle Virgen de la Sierra. Furthermore, it had as a place of worship a new church which would be situated on the site of the current parish church, but of smaller dimensions. The homes of the middle classes and nobility were transformed to suit the tastes of the era, giving them a greater width along the length of Calle Real.
The church of St Peter the Apostle, designated as a site of cultural interest, was built in the late 15th century although its appearance today is the result of a major renovation in the 17th century.
The fusion of architectural styles is particularly striking, combining the masonry of brick from Islamic tradition preserved during the era of Christianity through the Mudejar and the Western European styles Western European styles present on the façade of Gothic style, belonging to the original building from the early 15th century.
Another of the sites of significance for the town is the ancient dula. A dula is the name, of Arabic origin, which was given to the communal lands used for grazing for flocks or herds belonging to the neighbours. In this sense, it would make sense to use it as a cattle bullfighting in the case of Villarroya de la Sierra.
The town grew in population and went on to develop a new neighbourhood to the east, now known as Calle Virgen de la Sierra. Furthermore, it had as a place of worship a new church which would be situated on the site of the current parish church, but of smaller dimensions. The homes of the middle classes and nobility were transformed to suit the tastes of the era, giving them a greater width along the length of Calle Real.
The church of St Peter the Apostle, designated as a site of cultural interest, was built in the late 15th century although its appearance today is the result of a major renovation in the 17th century.
The fusion of architectural styles is particularly striking, combining the masonry of brick from Islamic tradition preserved during the era of Christianity through the Mudejar and the Western European styles Western European styles present on the façade of Gothic style, belonging to the original building from the early 15th century.
Another of the sites of significance for the town is the ancient dula. A dula is the name, of Arabic origin, which was given to the communal lands used for grazing for flocks or herds belonging to the neighbours. In this sense, it would make sense to use it as a cattle bullfighting in the case of Villarroya de la Sierra.