Valderrobres

The unofficial capital of the Matarraña region, Valderrobres is a stunningly preserved medieval town where a Gothic castle-palace and church crown a hilltop above the Matarraña river. The 14th-century stone bridge at its entrance sets the scene perfectly.

The Matarraña, nicknamed 'the Tuscan region of Spain,' is geographically isolated between Aragón, Catalonia, and Valencia — a borderland that has remained delightfully under-visited.

History

Valderrobres served as the seat of the Archbishop of Zaragoza's temporal power in the Matarraña. The castle-palace, built primarily in the 14th century, represents one of the finest examples of Gothic civil architecture in Aragón. The town's strategic position at the confluence of the Matarraña and Pena rivers made it a natural administrative center for the region.

Highlights

• 14th-century Gothic castle-palace
• Medieval stone bridge over the Matarraña
• Gothic church of Santa María la Mayor
• Traditional Matarraña stone architecture

How to get there

From Zaragoza, take the A-2 east to Alcañiz, then south on the N-232 and A-231 to Valderrobres. The drive takes approximately 2.5 hours. No direct bus service from Zaragoza.

Explore nearby: Aragón guide · Teruel province · Castles of Teruel