Teruel Things to Do

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Plaza del Torico is in the middle of Teruel city center. In the centre or the square is a monument to the bull (toro), but since the bull is quite small, the diminutive torico gives name to the square.

The Torico is on top of a fountain. We visited Teruel in Christmas, the fountain was covered by green branches as though it were a Christmas tree, hiding the fountain.

There are some nice Modernist (Art Nouveau) houses around the square.

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This tower is earlier than Torre del Salvador. Like Tower of El Salvador, it consists of two towers, one covering the other and the stars to the bell between them. The outer tower has all the decoration elements.
This tower is in the same square as the Public Library and the Seminary.
Through the tower you will see the Portal de Daroca, one of the gates of the wall.

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This tower is a nice example of the Mudéjar art in Teruel.

The tower has the structure of an Almohad minaret: tow towers (one inside the other) and a stair in the middle. The internal tower is divided into rooms covered by cross vaults.

The support of the bells was added, as we can see in the pointed arch windows that top the structure of a minaret. Such overlap caused structural problems, which were solved in 1650 with an enhancement of stone at the base and the removal of the vault cover. This was remade in 1953 with lightweight concrete.

This tower is contemporary to the tower of San Martín. It features a carefully crafted ornamentation.

There are 120 steps to the top. From the bells there are magnificent views of Teruel.
The entrance fee is 2.50 €.

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The Episcopal Palace houses the Museo de Arte Sacro.

The construction of the palace started in the late XVI century.

The museum contains pieces of religious art from different periods: Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque.

There are some images of Saint Joachim with Mary, which is not very usual.

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The Catedral de Santa María de Mediavilla began to be built in the XII century in Romanesque style. The tower of the cathedral was the earliest Mudéjar Bell Tower built in the city, in 1257. During the XIII century, the Romanesque nave was reformed and three Mudéjar naves were built. There were several reforms along the centuries. The Romanesque apses disappeared, the dome was built in 1538 and the square-shaped ambulatory was built around 1700.

Other Features:
The altarpiece, made in Wood by Gabriel Joly in the XVI century.
At capilla de la Coronación, a beautiful Hispanic-Flemish retable from the XV century.
The Monstrance, made in silver, is the third biggest in Spain, after the ones of Toledo and Sevilla.
The Chapel of the Santos Reyes: the Baroque retable contains a copy of Rubens’ Adoration of the Magi.
Crypt of the Martyrs is dedicated to a Bishop and a Vicar-general, who were killed during the Spanish Civil War and were blessed by Pope John Paul II.
The choir grillwork, Flamboyant Gothic style by Master Cañamache (XV century), restored by Matías Abad.
The Neo-Mudéjar front was made by Pablo Monguió in 1909.

The roof of the cathedral, built in the XIII century, is a masterpiece of the Mudéjar art.

From inside it seems a coffering, nevertheless this is not decorative but structural and it constitutes the roof of the nave.

The wooden framework is decorated with Islamic elements but also with Gothic human images. All the characters of medieval Teruel are represented in the decoration. There are also scenes of the Bible, the months, some mythological characters, etc.

I recommend a guided visit. Our guide gave a complete explanation of the roof and other elements of the cathedral.

The entrance fee is 3 € and it includes a visit to the Sacred Art museum, which is in the Episcopal Palace.

Everybody knows San Fermines - but there are other big parties in Spain. I had the pleasure of attending the annual Vaquillas in small town Teruel in July'04 (weekend around July 9th), and it was one of the best parties I have ever been to. The whole small town turned into one big party place for the whole weekend with people jumping on the streets, dj's and cheap 1 liter drinks served around every corner, strangers pouring wine in your mouth - or water on you from the balconies above. No tourists - I think me and my friend were the only non-Spaniards around. :) Spain, Summer, Sun and Sangria!

This is a beautiul little square at the heart of teruel. If you're sick to death of mudejar flee here to see what else Teruel has to offer. It has a lot more than Mudejar too. Look at this ornate house in the photo for example. The square is full of interesting buildings such as this one.

I loved walking around this square most at night. I went in December so all the christmas lights were on and the fountain in the middle of the square had been covered over by a large Christmas tree and nativity scene! It seemed very clean and warm at night.