Pedrola: Palace, Church Art and Festivals

Pedrola is one of those places whose sights can be discovered through a few distinctive buildings and lively traditions. Villahermosa Palace, the Iglesia Parroquial Nuestra Señora de los Ángeles and the old town are among the town’s attractions.

Culture and History

Villahermosa Palace is a Renaissance building dating from the mid-16th century. It was later remodelled several times in the Baroque and Neoclassical styles. Its interiors are arranged around a central courtyard, which is connected to the upper rooms by a monumental staircase. The library houses Goya’s oil painting “Retrato de Ramón de Pignatelli”.

The present-day Iglesia Parroquial Nuestra Señora de los Ángeles was created through extensions in the 16th and 18th centuries on the site of a 14th-century building. It preserves works by Francisco Bayeu and José Beratón, including the chapel paintings of the Sagrado Corazón and the main altarpiece by Bayeu, as well as Beratón’s painting in the San José Chapel. A passageway running through the houses connects the church with Villahermosa Palace.

In the context of the Villahermosa-Luna family, Cervantes describes Pedrola’s palace-castle as worthy of a royal court. Elsewhere in the townscape, the Puente Viejo crosses the Canal Imperial de Aragón perpendicular to the canal bed; the single-arch bridge is built of brick.

The Casa de Cultura is also part of the town’s cultural offering. Its auditorium has 280 seats, hosting music, dance, theatre, lectures and presentations throughout the year. There is also an exhibition hall.

When you choose a holiday apartment in Pedrola, you can compare travel dates, room categories and cancellation policies on the listings page. Cultural sites, festival dates and walking tours focus on different aspects, allowing you to consider them side by side when planning your own trip.

Festivals and Routes

The Mercado Cervantino takes place in May, around the same time as the San Isidro festival. The market features products, handicrafts, workshops, theatrical performances, music and entertainment.

The San Sebastián festival at the Ermita de San Sebastián is celebrated on 20 January with a procession and a Mass. It is preceded by a nine-day novena. The municipal sightseeing route “Paseo por Pedrola” also begins at this hermitage.

The family-friendly tourist route “Buscando a Melampito” is aimed at families and others who would like to discover Pedrola’s most notable corners in an entertaining way. The two walking tours differ in their design and can therefore be included in planning as different formats.

Pedrola’s main festivals take place around 16 August in honour of its patron saint, San Roque. They begin on 14 August and last from 14 to 18 August, although the end date may change. The programme includes the Chupinazo, a street parade, the crowning of the festival queens, a float parade and bull runs through the historic centre.

Townscape and Landscape

The Fuente de San Roque has eight outlets shaped like lions’ heads. Spring water emerges from them, occurring underground throughout the entire town. Numerous houses in Pedrola preserve coats of arms on their façades. Examples can be found on Calle Barrionuevo, Calle Virgen del Rosario, Calle Fernando el Católico, at Plaza de la Justicia and on Calle Rocasolano.

Part of the local festival culture is Pedrola’s Comparsa de Gigantes y Cabezudos, featuring the giants María de Luna and Martín I “El Humano”, who were baptised in 2007.

The Ermita de la Virgen del Pilar del Monte is located just over one kilometre from the town centre, next to the N-232 national road. From there, the view extends far across Pedrola and the Ebro floodplain.

Sports and Seasonal Facilities

The Complejo Deportivo Municipal offers padel, frontón, tennis, athletics, football and a sports park. The complex also includes a seasonal swimming area with three pools, a children’s pool and a hot tub, which operates from June to September.

Culinary Traditions

On Christmas Eve, people in Pedrola still cook cardoon in flour sauce; this preparation is maintained as a tradition. Culinary customs associated with Santa Águeda include sweet Farinetas dulces, which were sometimes served with arrope.

El Mondongo was a tradition of home slaughtering pigs practised from November to March. Meat products were distributed among the households, and a family celebration included eating pig’s head.

More Places for Your Trip Planning

Casas de Esper, Sabiñán, Sádaba, Novallas, Embid De La Ribera, Fuendetodos, Cariñena, Boquiñeni

To the higher-level travel overview: Saragossa.