Discover Borja: History, Trails and Garnacha

The historic ensemble of Borja is protected as a Bien de Interés Cultural (BIC). The medieval town centre lies on the slopes of a raised hill; the remains of the castle are located at its summit.

Culture and History

The historic ensemble includes military, religious and civic buildings. These include the castle ruins and surviving city gates, the former collegiate church of Santa María, numerous convents, the town hall and numerous Renaissance mansions.

A distinctive individual monument is the Casa de las Conchas. It was built from the late 15th to the early 16th century, with construction completed in 1524. It owes its name to the shell-shaped wrought-iron nails decorating its main door. The building also has a currently bricked-up loggia with eight round arches, decorated with plaster ornaments and interlaced patterns of the Mudéjar tradition.

The Museo de Santa Clara displays more than one hundred significant works of art from the convent in seven rooms and conveys the Franciscan–Poor Clare spirituality practised there over more than four centuries. The Museo Arqueológico de Borja is located in the former parish church of San Miguel, whose structure incorporates Romanesque, Mudéjar and Baroque elements. There, the museum presents the Celtiberian culture of the Second Iron Age through the city of Bursau and finds from Bursau and other archaeological sites.

The Museo de la Colegiata de Santa María displays the artistic heritage of the former collegiate church of Santa María. Almost all the works come from there; they also include pieces deposited there after four religious monasteries in Borja were dissolved. The museum also serves as a tourist information centre. The Antigua Colegiata de Santa María was completely rebuilt in the Baroque period in the French classicist style with Pilarist influences after the fire of 1775.

Trails and Landscape

The Camino de Santiago Castellano-Aragonés passes through Borja. It forms part of the 237-kilometre route from Gallur to Santo Domingo de Silos. Another signposted trail is PR-Z 168, which leads from Borja to the Balcón de El Buste nature viewpoint.

The signposted trail network of the Campo de Borja comarca comprises ten routes totalling almost 300 kilometres. The trails are open to hikers, cyclists and horse riders, offering different focuses when planning active days.

Near Borja lies La Estanca de Borja, an artificial pond covering around 14 hectares. It was created in 1328 for agricultural irrigation and serves as a stopover and nesting site for numerous birds. From Borja, La Estanca can be reached on foot via the PR trail or by car along the road from Borja to Mallén.

Wine and Surroundings

Bodegas Borsao in Borja is a winery focused on Garnacha and offers tours by prior reservation. The visitor programme also includes a wine-tasting course, likewise available by prior reservation.

In the surroundings of Borja, a visit to the Santuario de Misericordia includes the chapel, the interpretation centre, the Ecce Homo painting, the Caserón and a traditional Aragonese kitchen as part of the Caserón.

Visitor Information

The Borja Tourist Office offers guided tours that explain and highlight the city's cultural heritage.

Plan a Holiday Apartment in Borja

When comparing holiday apartments in Borja, you can compare travel dates, room category and cancellation policies on the respective listing page. This information provides a clear framework for planning, while the town's cultural, landscape and wine-related themes leave room for different travel ideas.

More Places

More places for your travel planning: Utebo, Puebla De Alfindén, Mequinenza, Gallocanta, Nuez de Ebro, Embid De La Ribera, Calatorao and Osera De Ebro.

For the broader travel overview: Saragossa.