Villarluengo – Castles, Natural Monuments and Trails

Villarluengo reveals its history through a striking remnant of the past: the Arco de Muralla is the only preserved arch of Villarluengo’s former town wall, dating from the 12th to the 14th century. The historic architecture also includes the Iglesia de Ntra. Sra. de la Asunción, a neoclassical church from the 18th and 19th centuries with three naves. Its vaults preserve paintings by Miguel Fabregat and Ramón Segura, which remain in good condition.

Culture

Another historical trace leads to Castillo de Monsanto in Villarluengo. The castle-monastery complex was probably built by the Templars and altered by the Carlists in the 19th century. Castillo de Monsanto is one of Aragón’s castles classified as a Bien de Interés Cultural. The history of Las Fábricas can also be found nearby: the site is located about 7 km from Villarluengo. A paper mill was built there in the 17th century; in 1789, the Temprado de Villarluengo family, together with French industrialists, installed Aragón’s first paper mill and, at the same time, Spain’s first factory producing paper continuously.

Nature

The Órganos de Montoro offer a striking landscape. This Cretaceous limestone formation consists of almost vertical layers whose shape resembles oversized organ pipes. The Órganos de Montoro are part of The Silent Route, where there is a panoramic viewpoint.

The Centro de Interpretación de los Monumentos Naturales del Maestrazgo is located in Villarluengo’s town hall square. It combines the tourist office with a nature and ibex interpretation centre. The building houses an exhibition room dedicated to the four natural monuments of the Maestrazgo; it also provides information about Aragón’s network of protected natural areas and the Maestrazgo Geopark.

Trails and Landscape

The PR-TE 66 Villarluengo–Torre Gorgue hike is easy, approximately 3.2 km long and takes about one hour. On the SL-TE 29 Barranco Cueva Muñoz, a detour leads to a travertine waterfall. The trail has been catalogued and inventoried by the Government of Aragón as a tourist resource. The Excursión Ermitas y Convento is a 7 km circular hike of moderate difficulty with an elevation gain of 300 m.

The GR 8.1 route also reaches Villarluengo via the Puerto de Villarluengo after crossing the Guadalope and following the Cañada River. The Romería de San Marcos route takes approximately four and a half hours; roughly the same amount of time is required for the return journey. Different route lengths, durations and elevation gains can be compared side by side for planning your own day.

Festivals and Crafts

The Hoguera de San Antonio is celebrated in honour of Saint Anthony the Abbot on 17 January or the following weekend. The festival includes a communal meal with roasted pork and lamb, as well as sausages. The Romería de San Marcos takes place on the Saturday after the 25th; from Villarluengo, residents make their way to San Pedro de la Roqueta.

Other Destinations

Other place names for your own planning are Moscardón, Aguaviva, Valbona, Calamocha, El Castellar, San Blas, Fuentes De Rubielos and Gea De Albarracín.

Getting There

Villarluengo can be reached via the A-1702 road. It connects Bajo Aragón with the Maestrazgo Turolense and passes through the town centres of Ejulve, Villarluengo and Cañada de Benatanduz.

For the higher-level travel overview: Teruel.