Discover Alcorisa: Culture, Landscape and Holiday Apartment

Alcorisa is part of the Maestrazgo UNESCO Global Geopark and combines limestone mountain ranges with clay basins.

When choosing a holiday apartment in Alcorisa, you can consider the destination’s different highlights separately: Iberian history, religious traditions, landscape and trails. On the respective accommodation page, travel dates, room category and cancellation conditions are the obvious fields to compare.

Culture and History

The Centro de Visitantes of the Ruta Íberos en el Bajo Aragón in Alcorisa explains the clay architecture of the Iberian period, the pottery-making process and the development of Iberian pottery. The subject area also includes Iberian potteries and kilns.

The Cabezo de la Guardia settlement preserves Iberian remains dating from the 5th–4th century BC to the 1st century AD, as well as Roman remains from the 3rd century AD. Cabezo de la Guardia is part of the Ruta Íberos en el Bajo Aragón. It can be visited free of charge all year round, without restrictions on visiting hours. A signposted turn-off leads there from the N-211 in the direction of Alcañiz; vehicles can reach a car park at the entrance.

Construction of the Iglesia de Santa María la Mayor began in the final years of the 14th century, while the tower and main façade were probably not built until the 17th century. The upper sections of the tower, built of brick, show influences or after-effects of the Mudéjar style. On 5 February 2002, the church was declared a Bien de Interés Cultural.

The Espacio Museos Alcorisa is located in the Church of San Sebastián and comprises three centres that can be visited together or individually. The Centro de Interpretación de la Semana Santa de Alcorisa explains Alcorisa’s Semana Santa, which is recognised as a festival of international tourist interest. The Museo de la Escuela Rural de Teruel presents several decades of the history of schools in the province of Teruel through objects, images and sounds.

The Exposición de maquetas displays detailed models of the Fuente de los 3 chorros, Calvario and the Iglesia de Santa María. The Museo de la Escuela offers interactive exhibits such as restored two-seat school desks and original schoolbooks. The Monumento al Tambor is also located near the N-211 at the exit from Alcorisa towards Alcañiz. It includes a bronze figure of a very young drummer, a child belonging to a brotherhood, wearing traditional attire and the crimped hooded headpiece known regionally as a “Tercerol”.

Festivals and Traditions

The Drama de la Cruz is performed at three locations and divided into three parts. More than 300 people portray the final days in the life of Christ; the middle part includes a two-kilometre ascent to Monte Calvario.

The Fiestas Patronales in honour of the Exaltación de la Santa Cruz and the Sepulcro Glorioso include an annual parade with floats and gastronomic competitions. The Romería “Subida al Calvario” takes place on 15 September as a procession featuring street banners, local authorities, giants and Cabezudos, as well as a group of Dulzaineros.

The Rompida de la Hora takes place every Maundy Thursday at midnight and is recognised as UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage. The Fiesta de la Villa includes a historical market with contemporary music, theatre, interludes, taverns and performances by re-enactment groups.

Landscape and Trails

Ancient olive groves, stone terraces and farmhouses characterise the landscape of Alcorisa. El Calvario is a Way of the Cross with fourteen stations marked by peirones and chapels. Juniper, thyme, rosemary and other native plants grow along the route.

The Sendero del Monte Calvario remains within Alcorisa and follows a paved path to a hilltop hermitage and then to a viewpoint. The PR-TE 59 Sendero Berge–Torre Piquer–Alcorisa leads to the Puntal de la Atalaya viewpoint and then onwards into the urban area of Alcorisa.

The BTT TE/01 Ruta 6, Ruta del Guadalopillo, is catalogued and inventoried as a Sendero Turístico de Aragón. The Embalse de Gallipuén is located approximately 2 kilometres from Alcorisa.

The geological history of Alcorisa is presented at the Jardín de Rocas in Parque Valero Lecha using 14 labelled samples arranged in stratigraphic order. The Jardín de Rocas can be visited free of charge and without a guide.

Local Specialities

Fulladre is a typical local bread roll with tomato and pepper. Traditional sweets from Alcorisa include Misterios, Tortas de Alma, Cazuela de Reyes and Piedrecicas del Calvario.

Other Places

Other places: Abejuela, Fuentes Calientes, La Mata De Los Olmos, San Agustín, Aldehuela, Valderrobres, Arens De Lledó, Monterde de Albarracín

To the main travel overview: Teruel.