Holiday apartment in Calcena: Via Ferrata, caves and mining history

The Via Ferrata in Calcena is considered an introduction to climbing; due to its level of difficulty, it is regarded as suitable for children. The first stage of the GR 90.2 begins in Calcena and leads to Aranda de Moncayo.

Nature

Calcena lies on the southern side of the Parque Natural del Moncayo on the left bank of the Río Isuela. Around Calcena, limestone outcrops conceal underground caves with remarkable geological formations. The Calcena Nature Interpretation Centre offers an interactive exhibition on local geomorphology and the formation of karst caves.

Access to Cueva Honda is restricted during the summer breeding season because of its bat colonies. Human burial remains dating from the Neolithic period, along with associated prehistoric materials, were found in a cave near Calcena. In this way, the natural surroundings of the village are connected with geological and prehistoric traces that can be seen in different facilities and landscape areas.

Activities

The SL-Z 71 hiking trail crosses the Barranco de Valdeplata up to seven times via specially installed wooden footbridges. Calcena's mountain-bike trail network includes circular routes starting and ending in Calcena. Calcena has a climbing school with more than 450 routes for all levels of difficulty.

The trails and activities have different focuses: the GR 90.2 is designed as a stage between two places, the SL-Z 71 links the crossings of the Barranco de Valdeplata with the historic surroundings, and the mountain-bike circuits return to Calcena. In addition, the climbing options range from the Via Ferrata to the routes at the local climbing school.

The Calcenada has been held since 2002 and comprises three sporting events that take place annually: Calcenada 104, Calcenada de Primavera and Calcenada de Otoño. Thus, in addition to individual trails, recurring sporting events, each with its own name, are also part of the village's profile.

Culture

The Iglesia de la Virgen de los Reyes in Calcena is protected as a Bien de Interés Cultural in the Monument category. The present-day Iglesia de la Virgen de los Reyes was built in the 16th century on the remains of an earlier Romanesque church. It preserves the portal of this earlier Romanesque church.

The town centre also bears historical traces: it is almost circular and features narrow alleys, passageways, winding streets and covered passages. This layout is typical of labyrinthine and winding Islamic urban planning.

History

The Valdeplata silver and copper mines were intermittently exploited from Roman times until the 19th century. Near Valdeplata, the SL-Z 71 hiking trail passes the remains of former workers' settlements, furnaces, mine galleries and office buildings. The former Valdeplata mining site can be visited using information panels; however, the adits and shafts are not open to visitors.

In this way, traces of mining over time, preserved structural remains and on-site information stand side by side at the same historic site. The mining history thus complements the natural and cultural aspects without describing the former facilities as accessible galleries or shafts.

Other places

Cuarte De Huerva, Sádaba, Épila, Borja, Santa Eulalia De Gállego, Alagón, Lituénigo, Bordalba

Townscape

The town centre of Calcena is almost circular and features narrow alleys, passageways, winding streets and covered passages that are typical of labyrinthine and winding Islamic urban planning.

To the overarching travel overview: Saragossa.