Open Muslim quarter
Situated at a crossroads between Aragon, La Rioja, Navarre and the province of Soria, Torrellas immediately immerses the visitor in a Muslim past that is present in many corners and presided over by the beauty of the church of San Martín de Tours, which conserves the lower part of the old mosque.
The church underwent a major renovation in the 17th century to make it suitable for Christian worship. The exterior is notable for its slightly leaning octagonal Mudejar tower.
It was built in two phases: between 1540 and 1550, the belfry was built up to the belfry, and around 1580 the upper body was erected. The interior of this tower has a Caliphate minaret structure, with a cylindrical central tower block around which a spiral staircase rises, covered with a vaulted brick vault in a projecting arch.
Situated at a crossroads between Aragon, La Rioja, Navarre and the province of Soria, Torrellas immediately immerses the visitor in a Muslim past that is present in many corners and presided over by the beauty of the church of San Martín de Tours, which conserves the lower part of the old mosque.
The church underwent a major renovation in the 17th century to make it suitable for Christian worship. The exterior is notable for its slightly leaning octagonal Mudejar tower.
It was built in two phases: between 1540 and 1550, the belfry was built up to the belfry, and around 1580 the upper body was erected. The interior of this tower has a Caliphate minaret structure, with a cylindrical central tower block around which a spiral staircase rises, covered with a vaulted brick vault in a projecting arch.
Interesting site in the Queiles River plains
The Muslims who remained after the Christian reconquest formed in Torrellas an important nucleus of population for the local economy at the foot of Moncayo. Craftsmen, builders, carpenters… lived there, and the La Huella del Islam Interpretation Centre, which is located inside the church of San Martín de Tours and explains what life was like for the Muslims who lived in the town until their expulsion in 1610, is a good example of this.
Torrellas also had a castle of which only vestiges of the keep remain, incorporated into an old hermitage which, in turn, has been transformed into a warehouse. It also features a former hospital, dating from the mid-18th century.
And in the town as a whole, the Plaza Mayor, where the market used to be held in the past, stands out. It is a rectangular porticoed space, with plastered stone houses and lintelled porches. The façade of the former residence of the Duke and Duchess of Villahermosa, a brick building with arches that has now been converted into a country house, is striking.
The Muslims who remained after the Christian reconquest formed in Torrellas an important nucleus of population for the local economy at the foot of Moncayo. Craftsmen, builders, carpenters… lived there, and the La Huella del Islam Interpretation Centre, which is located inside the church of San Martín de Tours and explains what life was like for the Muslims who lived in the town until their expulsion in 1610, is a good example of this.
Torrellas also had a castle of which only vestiges of the keep remain, incorporated into an old hermitage which, in turn, has been transformed into a warehouse. It also features a former hospital, dating from the mid-18th century.
And in the town as a whole, the Plaza Mayor, where the market used to be held in the past, stands out. It is a rectangular porticoed space, with plastered stone houses and lintelled porches. The façade of the former residence of the Duke and Duchess of Villahermosa, a brick building with arches that has now been converted into a country house, is striking.
Information
Town Hall: 976 199 210
www.torrellas.es
Association for the Development of the Lands of Moncayo
asomo.com
VISIT TORRELLAS 976 633 296
DO YOU WANT TO KNOW MORE?
Aragon Tourism
turismodearagon.com
Centre for Turiasonese Studies
ceturiasonenses.org
Territorio Mudéjar Network
The town has been a member of Territorio Mudéjar since January 2019.
Projects Territorio Mudéjar in Torrellas
Monuments | View the project
Pedagogy | View the project
Mudetrad Project | View the project
Didactic Mudejar, the guide | View the project
‘Circular’ Family walks | View the project
