Cultural wealth
With a past marked by the passage of Celtiberian, Roman and Mozarabic peoples, among others, Villarreal de Huerva preserves a latent historical and artistic pulse represented by the remains of its castle and church.
The remains of one of the towers of the old medieval fortress remain. Dating from the 14th century, it is made of ashlar stone and formed part of the fortified complex on which stands the Baroque church of San Miguel which, although dated 1686, retains an earlier element: its spectacular 15th century Mudejar tower.
It is the only preserved element of the old church. It has a square floor plan and a solid body with two superimposed rooms. Its exterior is sober with some bands of angled brick and a frieze of lozenges interrupted by the bells.
The tower is accessed from the choir loft inside the church and its layout resembles that of a Christian tower rather than an Islamic tower.
With a past marked by the passage of Celtiberian, Roman and Mozarabic peoples, among others, Villarreal de Huerva preserves a latent historical and artistic pulse represented by the remains of its castle and church.
The remains of one of the towers of the old medieval fortress can still be seen. Dating from the 14th century, it is made of ashlar stone and formed part of the fortified complex on which stands the Baroque church of San Miguel which, although dated 1686, retains an earlier element: its spectacular 15th century Mudejar tower.
It is the only preserved element of the old church. It has a square floor plan and a solid body with two superimposed rooms. Its exterior is sober with some bands of angled brick and a frieze of lozenges interrupted by the bells.
The tower is accessed from the choir loft inside the church and its layout resembles that of a Christian tower rather than an Islamic tower.
Enduring tradition
The interior of the church contrasts with the austere exterior and it is surprising to see how its walls and vaults are completely covered with a striking white sgraffito from the modern period on a black background which, together with the carefully studied natural lighting, makes the baroque altarpiece and medallions stand out even more.
A few kilometres from the town is the hermitage of Nuestra Señora del Rosario, a neoclassical temple that replaced an earlier one. Its Mudejar brick tower is the only legacy of the original church. Slightly rectangular in plan, it is in the belfry where the brick decoration is concentrated.
Another of the most outstanding buildings in Villarreal de Huerva is the Venta del Peirón, a typical roadside inn of the kind that used to line the roads of Spain and which offered everything from medical services to stables. The town also preserves traces of the importance of water in its history as the power of mills and a source of irrigation, a legacy that can be seen in the bridge of La Venta and the Roman bridge.
The interior of the church contrasts with the austere exterior, and it is surprising to see that the walls and vaults are completely covered with a striking white modernist sgraffito on a black background, which, together with the carefully studied natural lighting, enhances the Baroque altarpiece and medallions.
A few kilometres from the town is the hermitage of Nuestra Señora del Rosario, a neoclassical temple that replaced an earlier one. Its Mudejar brick tower is the only legacy of the original church. Slightly rectangular in plan, it is in the bell tower that the brick decoration is concentrated.
Another of the most outstanding buildings in Villarreal de Huerva is the Venta del Peirón, a typical roadside inn of the kind that used to line the roads of Spain and which offered everything from medical services to stables. The town also preserves traces of the importance of water in its history as the power of mills and a source of irrigation, a legacy that can be seen in the bridge of La Venta and the Roman bridge.
Information
Town Hall: 976 807 041
aytovillarrealdehuerva.es
Association for Integral Rural Development
The lands of Jiloca and Gallocanta
adri.es
VISIT VILLARREAL DE HUERVA
976 633 296
DO YOU WANT TO KNOW MORE?
Aragon Tourism
turismodearagon.com
Daroca Region Tourism
turismo.comarcadedaroca.com
Centre for Darocese Studies
ifc.dpz.es
Center of Jiloca Studies
www.xiloca.org
Territorio Mudéjar Network
The city council has been a full partner of Territorio Mudéjar since December 2019.
Projects Territorio Mudéjar in Villarreal de Huerva
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
