Almonacid de la Cuba: Roman Era, Gorge and Hiking Trails

Almonacid de la Cuba lies on the steep slope of a gorge formed by the Aguasvivas River as it passes through the Sierra de Belchite. Orchards and fruit trees near the river are supplied with water via irrigation channels and form a green oasis in the otherwise dry landscape. Groups of ibex are frequently spotted in the limestone hills along the Aguasvivas around Almonacid de la Cuba.

History

The construction of the first Presa Romana de Almonacid de la Cuba dates back to the 1st century, during the time of Augustus and Tiberius. The Roman dam is a well-preserved monument, classified by the Government of Aragon as a Bien de Interés Cultural, and is 34 metres high. Walkways open to visitors, as well as a restored section with 103 steps, lead down to its base.

On a hill immediately beside the village, next to the Ermita de Ntra. Sra. de las Nieves, stand the remains of the Torre de Almonacid de la Cuba. The square tower was built from irregular stones and is in a severely deteriorated condition. The Ermita de Ntra. de las Nieves is located in the upper part of Almonacid de la Cuba and was built on the former Arab castle of the village, which was destroyed during the Spanish Civil War.

Culture and Townscape

The Iglesia de Santa María la Mayor was built in the second half of the 16th century, around 1570, and combines Gothic and Baroque elements. The Ermita de Nuestra Señora de los Dolores is a Baroque building with pronounced verticality. The narrow, winding and steeply sloping streets also convey an impression of the village’s Muslim past.

The restored Molino Bajo is a mill with preserved millstones and currently houses the Almonacid de la Cuba tourist information office. Engravings depicting millstones and contemporary games have been preserved on the interior walls. The Barrio Verde, or Jewish quarter, can be visited along the Ruta Patrimonio.

Trails and Activities

The Lécera–Belchite stage of the Way of Saint James from Castellón to Bajo Aragón passes the viewpoint at the Roman dam and the Área recreativa La Cuba recreation area before entering Almonacid de la Cuba. The “Ruta Belchite - Almonacid de la Cuba - Mojón del Lobo - Belchite” hiking trail passes through the Roman dam in Almonacid de la Cuba.

The “Ruta Belchite – Pozo de los Chorros” is a self-guided hiking route from Almonacid de la Cuba to Pozo de los Chorros. The route to Pozo de los Chorros also offers a destination-only variant of 3 kilometres from Almonacid de la Cuba. The guided “Visita guiada Presa Romana – Pasarelas” requires advance booking and the purchase of an admission ticket; it begins at the tourist information point at the dam.

The “Rutas del Aguasvivas y sus afluentes” trail network comprises 16 hiking and cycling routes through several municipalities, including Almonacid de la Cuba. The circular “Ruta Almonacid de la Cuba - Letux - Almonacid de la Cuba” runs through cultivated areas with olive, almond and fruit trees. Almonacid de la Cuba also has 18 climbing routes of varying difficulty in two areas: at Peña del Águila and along the road within the town centre.

The different route lengths, forms of accompaniment and types of activity provide you with a clear basis for comparing the options according to your preferred daily rhythm.

Other Places

Other places you can discover: Munébrega, Farasdués, Cariñena, Sediles, Ibdes, Torrijo de la Cañada, Alfajarín, Mesones De Isuela.

To the main travel overview: Saragossa.