Discover Ateca: Mudéjar culture, festivals and trails along the Manubles

A striking starting point in Ateca is Santa María de Ateca, a Mudéjar church whose tower stands out for its remarkable ceramic and brick design. Santa María de Ateca and its tower are protected as Assets of Cultural Interest. The oldest part of the church dates from the 14th century; the tower is older.

When comparing holiday apartments in Ateca, you can compare travel dates, accommodation categories and cancellation policies on the respective listing pages, and tailor your choice to your personal timeframe.

Culture

Ateca’s Casa Consistorial is an Aragonese Renaissance building whose construction began in 1628 and which features stone arcades and a distinctive arched gallery. The Torre del Reloj is a square Mudéjar tower built in 1560 over a medieval masonry tower. In the San Martín district, the Iglesia de San Francisco is the most visible surviving part of a former Capuchin monastery; it preserves a 17th-century altarpiece dedicated to the Immaculate Conception. Ateca’s octagonal bullring was built in 1864 and is one of the oldest in Aragón. The restored Castillo de Ateca houses the Hotel Castillo Fortaleza de Ateca.

The Centro de Interpretación Puerta del Manubles is located in the Arco de San Miguel in Ateca. When it opened, one of its three floors was dedicated to the Manubles and Jalón rivers. A guided tour includes the exterior and interior of the Mudéjar tower, the chapel of the patron saint Virgen de la Peana, and the Semana Santa interpretation centre; it begins at the tourist office on Plaza de España. The Semana Santa interpretation centre is located in the former sacristan’s house next to Santa María and gives visitors the opportunity to learn about the structure and staging of this tradition. Costumes worn by procession participants, historic standards and flags, and the brotherhood’s first record book are displayed there.

Festivals and traditions

Ateca’s Semana Santa was recognised in Aragón in 1996 as a Festival of Tourist Interest. The Hermandad de la Soledad has organised Ateca’s Semana Santa processions since 1661. More than 300 people take part in the Santo Entierro procession, which includes 34 pasos. During the pilgrimages to Ascensión and San Lorenzo, young members of the brotherhood build three-storey human towers that move through the streets. In the Ascensión human-tower performance, the procession passes beneath the arch of the Arco de San Miguel and then continues along Calle Arial Bajo to Plaza de España.

On 2 and 3 February, Ateca celebrates San Blas with La Máscara, a red-and-yellow-striped figure who chases boys as they try to take away her bells. During the San Blas festival, La Máscara jumps over a fire in Plaza de España; afterwards, the traditional song Puente de Alcolea is sung. The festivities in honour of the Virgen de la Peana take place from 6 to 10 September and include processions, a solemn mass, flower offerings, bull-related events, public dances in Plaza España and artistic performances.

There is evidence of the Dance de Ateca dating back 400 years. The Dance de Ateca is considered a theatrical performance featuring Moors, devils, Christians and members of the royal household; the performances take place several years apart. Ateca’s Carnival is celebrated 40 days before Semana Santa with elaborate costumes and prizes.

Trails and landscape

The Ruta de Alcocer begins at the Arco de San Miguel in Ateca, crosses the Manubles and connects with the Camino del Cid. The SL-Z2 Ruta de Alcocer is a 12.5-kilometre circular hike estimated to take slightly more than three hours. The R4 Valmayor-La-Sierra-La-Atalaya route is signposted; the arrows indicate the direction to follow.

The Mora Encantada is a clayey rocky outcrop in the Las Cárcamas area, associated with the settlement of Alcocer and the Cantar de Mio Cid. The remains of Castillo de Alcocer are located in the La Mora Encantada area of Ateca. The Castillo de la Morica Encantada, also known as Castillo de Alcocer, is protected as an Asset of Cultural Interest.

Getting there

From Ateca, Calatayud can be reached by both train and bus.

Other places

Other places in this selection are Mesones De Isuela, Villafeliche, Quinto, Pozuelo de Aragón, Calatorao, San Juan De Mozarrifar, Boquiñeni and Ejea De Los Caballeros.

For the overview of the wider trip: Saragossa.