Caspe between church art, Ebro trails and Mar de Aragón

The Castillo del Compromiso was selected in 1412 as the setting for the Compromiso de Caspe, where Fernando de Antequera was proclaimed King of Aragon. The uppermost level of the Castillo contains the Salón del Compromiso, covering an area of 170 m².

Culture and history

During the expansion of the church building from 1388 to 1412, a Gothic-style main portal was created at the Iglesia de Santa María la Mayor. The Santo Cristo Chapel in the same church has a richly decorated stucco ceiling with geometric and plant motifs, regarded as one of the finest examples of Mudéjar art in Bajo Aragón. The Iglesia de Santa María la Mayor also houses the Veracruz de Caspe relic, considered one of the largest surviving fragments of the cross on which Christ was crucified. The Cáliz del Compromiso is also kept there.

The Torre de Salamanca, also known as Fuerte de Salamanca or Torre del Cabezo de Monteagudo, is a tower built in 1875 in the context of the Third Carlist War for optical telegraphy and riflemen. In 2006, the Torre de Salamanca was classified as a Bien de Interés Cultural. The Mausoleo Romano de Miralpeix, also known as the Templo Romano de Caspe, is considered, after the Mausoleo de Fabara, one of the finest examples of Roman architecture in Bajo Aragón. In 1962, it was moved to the gardens of the Colegiata to prevent it from being flooded and destroyed by the Mequinenza Reservoir.

The Arcos del Toril preserve three low pointed arches on the northern side of the Plaza de España, as well as another arch integrated into the façade of a later building that originally belonged to a defensive tower. They are regarded as evidence of a presumed arcaded square where, from the 15th century onward, a large part of Caspe’s economic and social life took place. The Sede del Concejo Medieval preserves a façade with a large pointed arch whose keystone bears the coats of arms of the Order of Malta and Caspe’s secular Concejo. The Casa-Palacio Piazuelo-Barberán is one of the most significant examples of civil architecture in Caspe and was built from ashlar stone in the style of Classicist Baroque.

The Centro de Visitantes de Caspe is located in a new building in the historic old town, near the Plaza de España and behind the town hall. It focuses on Iberian religious and funerary culture and is part of the cross-regional Ruta de los Íberos network. The Teatro Goya houses the Centro de Interpretación de la Historia de la Autonomía de Aragón, which explores Caspe’s role as the venue for the 1936 Autonomist Congress and as the capital of the Consejo de Aragón during the Civil War.

The Caspe Tourist Office offers three approximately two-hour guided tours of the town’s cultural heritage. The Consorcio Patrimonio Ibérico de Aragón also organises tours for schoolchildren, as well as other activities relating to Iberian culture.

Water and trails

Mar de Aragón is a reservoir built on the Ebro, located approximately 1 km from Caspe town centre. Activities available there include windsurfing, water skiing, wakeboarding, rowing, canoeing, kayaking and sailing. Fishing is one of the most important activities at Mar de Aragón; preferred fish species include catfish and black bass. The Museo de la Pesca is located at Mar de Aragón in the El Dique residential development.

A Sendero Turístico begins behind the Colegiata and the Castillo del Compromiso in Caspe and then joins the Camino Natural del Ebro. The Camino Jacobeo del Ebro also passes through Caspe. The Fabara–Caspe stage is 20 km long, while the Caspe–Escatrón stage is 29 km. The different trail lengths each provide a clear scale for planning the routes.

Traditions and festivals

The Ermita de Santa María de Horta is the only surviving example of Romanesque architecture in the municipality of Caspe and dates from the late 12th or early 13th century. After severe flooding caused by the Mequinenza Reservoir, it was dismantled in 1973 and rebuilt at Cabezo de Monteagudo. The Ermita is no longer used for worship and is used for social events and occasionally for civil weddings.

The Ermita de San Indalecio has a richly decorated interior with polychrome reliefs and paintings featuring plant motifs and angels. Every year on 15 May, it continues to host celebrations in honour of Saint Indalecio. Semana Santa in Caspe is classified as a Fiesta de Interés Turístico de Aragón and includes eight processions depicting the life and Passion of Jesus Christ.

The Conmemoración del Compromiso de Caspe is classified as a Fiesta de Interés Turístico de Aragón. It is held every year and recreates life at the beginning of the 15th century with historical clothing, weapons, armour, instruments and material culture. During the Conmemoración del Compromiso de Caspe 2025, a guided tour of the Castillo del Compromiso was offered, explaining its history and role in spring 1412. The event also included theatrical tours, enabling the historical context to be conveyed in greater depth and in a vivid manner.

Since the 1950s, Caspe’s main festival has coincided with the feast day of San Roque on 14 August. In recent years, the Peñas have adopted the practice of placing a Cachirulo on the saint’s statue as a tradition marking the unofficial opening of the festivities.

Food and drink

In Caspe, olive chocolate truffles and olive-oil ice cream are available to buy and taste.

More destinations

Villarroya de la Sierra, Purujosa, Encinacorba, Aniñón, Bardena Del Caudillo, Jaraba, Villanueva De Gállego, Alagón

To the main travel overview: Saragossa.