Teruel, Spain
Teruel is one of the most beautiful cities not only in Aragon, but throughout Spain. Its historical center is called an open-air museum. All thanks to the peculiar architectural style of Mudéjar. It originated in the Iberian Peninsula in the Middle Ages, when Spain freed itself from Islamic rule, but allowed local Muslims to develop their art in an already Christian state. So in Teruel appeared Catholic churches with towers resembling minarets, and residential buildings built based on Moorish palaces. But in the narrow streets, in a southern way, the heart of an absolutely Spanish city beats loudly.
How to get to Teruel
The fastest and most convenient way to get to Teruel is via Valencia. From the airport, you need to take the metro (every 10 minutes, travel time: 22 minutes) or bus (every 26 minutes, travel time: 20 minutes) to the railway station and take a train or bus to Teruel. You can view the schedule and buy tickets at the office. the website (in English) of the Spanish Railways or the page (in English) of the bus operator. A bus (7 daily runs) covers 150 km in 2 hours, a train (4 runs) in 2 hours 40 minutes. Check localcollegeexplorer for other cities and countries as well as education in Europe.
You can get from Barcelona or Madrid, but it will take longer and cost significantly more than from Valencia.
Transportation
Buses run around the city, but tourists are unlikely to need them – transport will not squeeze through the narrow streets, and the historical center itself is quite compact. You can rent a bike, but it will not be very convenient to move around on the cobblestones. The car is also not the best solution, it is better to leave it outside the Old Town, since there are no problems with parking spaces in Teruel – there are many of them and they are inexpensive. By the way, a taxi ride is likely to cost less than the cost of parking.
Teruel Hotels
Hotels in Teruel are for every taste and budget, although, given the tourist specialization of the city, one could expect higher prices. A double room in a four-star hotel costs 78-98 EUR per night (without breakfast). In a 3 * hotel, the same option will cost 51-75 EUR. Two -star hotels will be settled for 46-58 EUR per day for two. A bed in a stylish and clean hostel costs from 37 EUR, and renting an apartment is 52-164 EUR per night (depending on the “stuffing” and the number of residents).
Cafes and restaurants
Teruel is full of cafes and restaurants. Almost all of them specialize in local Aragonese cuisine: some serve authentic dishes, the recipe of which has not changed for centuries, while others bring modern notes to the classics. Most of the latter. But
Both in ordinary city cafes and in restaurants, prices are about the same: hot with meat and a side dish costs 15 EUR. A classic of Aragonese cuisine, “harretes” (stewed lamb knee with wild mushrooms), is also served almost everywhere. Many establishments offer tasting sets – the best option to get acquainted with the culinary heritage of the region.
For a light snack, you can go to a bar and grab a tapas with local jamón de Teruel for 3-5 EUR. Actually, tapas plays the role of fast food, although young people prefer McDonald’s.
Attractions
It is difficult to single out any individual sights in the city, where each building deserves special attention. But you can try to find a few of the most characteristic ones.
With a Teruel chip, a Mudéjar style, a tourist encounters immediately after arriving at the railway station. A monumental brick staircase Esculinata (Paseo del Ovalo) leads from the station to the Old Town. This relatively young building (1921) is distinguished by an abundance of Muslim tile patterns, unusual masonry and mosaic paintings on the walls.
The Cathedral of Santa Maria de Meliavilla (Plaza de la Catedral) is a symbol of the city and an excellent example of a real, medieval Mudéjar, included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. The temple was built by the Moor Khusaff in 1171 on the foundations of an old church. Romanesque apses (their remains can be seen in the main chapel) were then replaced by oriental and Gothic ones. The Mudéjar tower with gates and walls covered with decorative tiles was built a little later, in the 13th century.
The Cathedral of Santa Maria de Meliavilla is the symbol of Teruel.
The main monument of the Renaissance is the Teruel Museum (Plaza Fray Anselmo Polanco, 3). The facade of the 17th century building consists of three floors, the last of which is a gallery with a colonnade. The museum exhibits monuments of paleontology, archeology and fine arts. And on the site of the former stables there is an ethnographic exposition.
Presented in the city and the Art Nouveau style. The house of Casa La Madrilena (Plaza del Torico) by the Catalan architect Pablo Monguyo is responsible for it. The façade of this beautiful building is very reminiscent of Gaudí’s works in Barcelona; smooth lines, an abundance of forged elements and wood also prevail here.
The house stands on the main square of the city of El Torico. The fountain located in its center receives water from the reservoir of 1375, and the top of the column, from which water flows, is decorated with a small bull – the star of local souvenir shops.
A masterpiece of engineering is the Los Arcos aqueduct and viaduct (Camino Bajo Los Arcos), built in the 16th century by the French master Quinto Pierre Wedel. A two-level structure with many arches (hence the Spanish name) today acts as a kind of border between medieval and modern Teruel.
Weather
Teruel is located quite high above sea level (915 m). The Pyrenees mountains close it from humid and warm Mediterranean air masses, so the climate here is continental and rather cold – frosts and snow are not uncommon in winter.
