Berrueco: Castles, Church Art and Trails by the Laguna de Gallocanta

Castillo de Berrueco is a former fortification of Islamic origin and is protected as a Bien de Interés Cultural in the Monument category. Perched on a rocky promontory, the Castillo overlooks the valley of the Laguna de Gallocanta.

Culture

El Castellar is 1.5 kilometres from Berrueco on the road to Tornos; an unpaved track branches off to the right and leads there. The 600-square-metre Celtiberian settlement has a central street and the remains of around twenty houses.

The fortification at El Castellar consists of large stone blocks joined without mortar in up to four layers.

The Iglesia de la Asunción de Nuestra Señora has three naves, masonry, brick cornices and a two-storey portal made of dressed stone. Its main altar is dedicated to the Assumption of Mary; it features gilded, polychrome-painted wood and folk sculptures from the first half of the 17th century.

Nature and Trails

The Sendero de Berrueco is a 0.79-kilometre, 35-minute family trail with an elevation gain of 48 metres. It leads uphill from the village of Berrueco to its castle; the castle offers panoramic views of the Laguna de Gallocanta.

Another route, 30.6 kilometres long, can be travelled by bicycle or on foot; a detour leads to Castillo de Berrueco. The short climb and the longer route differ in length, duration and mode of transport. The information on distance, duration and mode of transport provides a clear basis for planning the day.

The distances and time estimates distinguish the options in different ways: elevation gain and duration define the short climb, while the longer route additionally specifies the mode of transport and the detour to the Castillo. This keeps the short and extended trail options clearly distinguishable.

Discoveries

In Berrueco, the permanent Sala de Exposición del Hombre y la Naturaleza presents the archaeological findings from El Castellar. Exhibits include information panels, models and an interactive multimedia presentation in a partially reconstructed Celtiberian house.

Berrueco is one of six stops on the Ruta Tierra de Castillos, which uses virtual reconstructions of the castles.

A fountain dating from 1602 stands along the road from Berrueco to Tornos; there is also a Peirón dedicated to Saint Anthony of Padua on the road to Tornos.

When booking a holiday apartment in Berrueco, the travel dates, room category and cancellation conditions can be viewed together on the accommodation page. The travel period, selected category and conditions of the specific offer remain clearly distinct from one another.

For a broader overview of the area, the pages for Sádaba, Tarazona, Osera De Ebro, Santa Eulalia De Gállego, Biel, Purujosa, Carenas and Zuera are also available.

For the broader travel overview: Saragossa.