Discover Almonacid de la Sierra: Castles, Wine and Routes

The remains of the Castillo de Al-Monastir dominate the townscape of Almonacid de la Sierra. The building visible today dates from the 13th century and was built by the Luna family. The Castillo de los Luna is protected as a Bien de Interés Cultural in the Monument category; four walls and six square towers remain.

Culture and History

The Morería quarter preserves evidence of the town’s Muslim past. Three of the four entrance gates to the walled complex of Almonacid de la Sierra have survived. The Arcos del Trinquete consist of two pointed arches from the late Middle Ages, while the surviving entrance structure of the modernist market dates from 1904.

Smaller structures also tell the story of the town: the Nevera of Almonacid de la Sierra is a circular icehouse whose entire structure has been preserved and recently restored. The Iglesia de la Anunciación de Nuestra Señora has three naves, with the central nave higher than the side aisles. The Baroque building also has a dome over the crossing and a tower with a metal, helmet-like structure. An Iberian-Baroque organ by Bartholomé Sánchez was built in Zaragoza in 1733.

The CSIC manuscript collection associated with Almonacid de la Sierra includes 42 Aljamiado manuscripts and 23 Arabic codices. The original corpus of this collection was hidden in the false ceiling of a house in Almonacid de la Sierra and discovered in 1884.

Routes and Landscapes

Through the projects of Territorio Mudéjar, traditional architecture is honored and presented through a series of routes. The described walks focusing on traditional architecture are informal tours that residents and other interested people can join. Route 07, “Pinares de Almonacid de la Sierra y Cosuenda,” is included in the BBT program of the Valdejalón district.

The Ruta Botánica leads through the Sierra de Algairén, takes a little over an hour, and highlights up to thirty typical plants of this landscape. In the vicinity of Almonacid de la Sierra, the Sierra de Algairén offers opportunities for hiking and excursions. The route connecting Almonacid de la Sierra with Alpartir can be traveled on foot or by vehicle.

Wine and Local Tradition

In Almonacid de la Sierra, Bodega Morales combines a ground-level winery with an underground wine cellar. Bodega Morales still has an iron press from the early 20th century. The underground wine cellar may date back to the 16th century, although its construction date is unknown. On the road to Cosuenda, there is also a historic quarter with wine cellars and lumbreras.

Bodega Cerdán is a building with a square floor plan, a gabled roof and a central pillar. Its above-ground agricultural building still contains, among other things, winemaking equipment and an iron press from the early 20th century. The municipal wine museum of Almonacid de la Sierra explains the winemaking process to visitors. The town is one of the fifteen places along the Ruta del Vino Campo de Cariñena.

On the weekend around 1 May, a fair dedicated to traditional old crafts is held, featuring exhibitions and live demonstrations. At a traditional snack, a handspan-long piece of longaniza or chorizo is served.

Other destinations:Bardena Del Caudillo, Undués-Pintano, Cariñena, Nuévalos, La Muela, Alera, Villanueva De Gállego, Jaraba

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