Page 247 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Spain

AR A GÓN  245

medieval form. Just outside the
town are the caves of Navazo
and Callejón, with their
prehistoric rock paintings.
Reproductions can be seen
in Teruel’s Museo Provincial.
Environs
In the surrounding Montes
Universales, which rise to
1,935 m (6,348 ft), is the source
of the Tagus, one of Spain’s
longest rivers. From fertile cereal
plains to crumbling rocks, this
area is a colourful mixture of
Balconied café above Albarracín’s main square poplars, junipers and thick pine
woods, with poppies in spring.
the city’s emblem. Within walking Standing on a ridge behind the At Cella, northeast of Albarracín,
distance lie the five remaining town are defensive walls and the Río Jiloca has its source.
Mudéjar towers. Most striking are towers dating from Muslim times.
those of San Salvador and San There is a good view of the k Rincón de
Martín, both dating back to the town from below the Palacio
12th century. The latter has multi- Episcopal (Bishop’s Palace). Ademuz
patterned brickwork studded Inside the neighbouring Valencia. * 2,400. @ Ademuz. n
with blue and green ceramics. 16th-century cathedral, which Fuente Vieja 10, Ademuz, 978 78 22
Beside the Iglesia de San Pedro is topped by a belfry, there is a 67. ( Wed. _ Fiestas de Agosto (15
are the tombs of the famous Renaissance carved wooden Aug), Fiestas de la Virgen del Rosario
Lovers of Teruel. The cathedral altarpiece depicting scenes (early Oct). ∑ rincondeademuz.es
has more colourful Mudéjar from the life of St Peter. The
work, including a lantern dome treasury museum contains This remote enclave south of
of glazed tiles, and a tower 16th-century Brussels tapestries Teruel belongs to the Comun idad
completed in the 17th century. and enamelled chalices. Valenciana (see p247), but is
The dazzling coffered ceiling is Some of Albarracín’s sturdy effectively an island of territory,
painted with lively scenes of beamed and galleried houses stranded between the borders
medieval life. have an unusual two-tier of Aragón and Castilla-La
The Museo Provincial, one structure. The ground floor is Mancha. The area has not
of Aragón’s best museums, is limestone, and the overhanging prospered in modern times, but
housed in an elegant mansion. upper storey is covered in rough still has an austere charm and
It has a large collection of coral-pink plasterwork. Many some peaceful tracts of country
ce ramics, testifying to an have been restored to their scattered with red rocks.
industry for which Teruel has
long been known. North of the The Lovers of Teruel
centre is the Acueducto de los
Arcos, a 16th-century aqueduct. According to legend, in 13th-century Teruel two young people,
Diego de Marcilla and Isabel de Segura, fell in love and wished to
E Museo Provincial marry. However, her wealthy family forbade the match because he
Placa Fray Anselmo Polanco 3. was poor. Diego was given five years in which to make his fortune.
Tel 978 60 01 50. Open Tue–Sun. 7 When he returned to Teruel, laden with wealth, he found Isabel
already married. Diego died of a broken heart and Isabel, full of
despair, died the following day. The Bodas de Isabel de Segura, a
j Albarracín festival held in mid-February, includes a re-enactment of the events.
Teruel. * 1,100. @ n Calle San
Antonio 2, 978 71 02 62. ( Wed.
_ Los Mayos (30 Apr–1 May),
Fiestas Patronales (8–17 Sep).
∑ albarracin.es
It is easy to see why this
picturesque town earned an
international award for historical
preservation. A dramatic cliff
above the Río Guadalaviar is the
perfect setting for this attractive Isabel de Segura Diego de Marcilla
cluster of mellow pink buildings.

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