Castellote, Teruel: Templar history and hidden treasures of the Maestrazgo

In the heart of Teruel’s Maestrazgo, perched on a rocky hillside and watched over by the remains of a Templar castle, lies Castellote, one of the villages with the most character and heritage in the province of Teruel. Its impressive location, its medieval legacy, its natural wealth and its link with palaeontology make it an essential stop for those in search of history, landscape and authenticity.

Come with us to discover what to see in Castellote: its castle and historic quarter, declared an Asset of Cultural Interest, its churches and hermitages, its nature trails and its key role in the wars that marked the history of Aragon. A journey through walls, fossils, steep streets and rural silence.

A village in the mountains: location and natural surroundings

Castellote is located in the Maestrazgo region, in the southeast of the province of Teruel, at an altitude of 774 metres. It sits on a rocky hillside in the Sistema Ibérico mountain range, in the Bajo Aragón range, in the valley of the river Guadalope. The main access to the village is through a spectacular tunnel excavated in the rock, which leads to a medieval hamlet with a timeless air.

Its climate is continental, with an average annual temperature of 12.2 °C, ideal for enjoying its surroundings in spring and autumn. Just a few kilometres from the village is the Santolea reservoir, and in its municipal area are hidden natural wonders such as the Puente de Fonseca natural monument, the Guadalope gorges and several unique palaeontological sites in Europe.

Millennia of history: from prehistoric times to the Middle Ages

Human presence in Castellote dates back to the Palaeolithic period, as can be seen in the cave paintings and engravings found in the shelters around Ladruñán and Santolea. The Abrigo de la Vacada, with its bovids, archers and schematic figures, is one of the most outstanding examples of Levantine rock art in Aragon. In the Bronze and Iron Ages, Castellote was an important Iberian settlement. Remains of settlements, rock-hewn tombs and tools found at sites such as Vallipón or Fuente del Ballester show the continuity of human occupation in the area.

In medieval times, after the Muslim occupation, the territory was reconquered in the 12th century by Alfonso I the Battler. From 1169, under Alfonso II, Castellote was handed over to military orders. First to the Order of the Holy Redeemer, and later to the Order of the Temple, which transformed the place into a powerful Templar commandery. The castle, built on the site of an ancient Islamic fortress, became a key defensive bastion of the Kingdom of Aragon.

Templar Castellote: legend, resistance and fall

The Templar legacy is fundamental to understanding the history of Castellote. In 1282, the Order granted the town a town charter and organised the social and economic life of the territory. In 1308, after the dissolution of the Knights Templar, King James II ordered a siege of Castellote. For eleven months, the Knights Templar resisted the siege from the castle, aided by the civilian population. They finally surrendered in November of the same year. After the fall of the Knights Templar, Castellote passed into the hands of the Order of St. John of Jerusalem (Sanjuanistas), who maintained their influence until the 18th century.

Wars, destruction and revival

During the War of Independence (1809), General Musnier took Castellote and burnt a large part of its archives. But it was during the Carlist Wars that the town experienced its most dramatic moments. In 1835 it was the scene of fighting, and in 1840, General Espartero besieged and took the castle, which was dynamited and partially razed to the ground.

During the Civil War it also suffered damage to its religious heritage, and in the post-war period it was an active zone of the anti-Francoist maquis. Despite all these episodes, Castellote has managed to preserve an exceptional historic quarter, full of traditional architecture and silent witnesses of its wartime past.

What to see in Castellote: a stroll through its historic quarter

The old quarter of Castellote has been declared an Asset of Cultural Interest and is one of the most beautiful in Aragon. Its steep streets, medieval arches and noble houses create a unique atmosphere. These are its must-sees:

1. Templar castle

Located on top of a rocky escarpment, it was ordered to be built by Alfonso II on top of an old Muslim fortress. Today the remains of the keep, part of the walls and a chapel remain. The views from the top over the Guadalope valley and the Santolea reservoir are spectacular.

2. Templar Tower and the Church of the Virgin of the Water

The tower was a prison in modern times and today houses the interpretation centre of the Order of the Temple. It is one of the symbols of the village and preserves its defensive character. As for the church, dating from the 17th century, it is the most loved church by the villagers. It houses the Romanesque image of the Virgen del Agua, patron saint of Castellote. Its façade with Solomonic columns is one of the most unique elements.

3. Church of San Miguel

Gothic church built in the 15th century, with an imposing façade decorated with lions, dragons and mermaids, and a large rose window. In 2017 its tower, which had been ruined during the Civil War, was rebuilt.

4. Llovedor Chapel

Located at the exit of the access tunnel to the village, embedded in the rock, it is one of the most picturesque corners. With its simple architecture and great beauty, it is a place of pilgrimage in spring.

5. Noble houses and civil buildings

The Casa Gordiano, from the 16th century, is an example of Aragonese Renaissance architecture. The 19th century Casa de los Plana and Casa de Don José represent the rural civil architecture of the area. The Town Hall building, with its market hall and arches, preserves the original Gothic spirit.

Stone Forest and Palaeontological Heritage

Castellote is one of the sub-sites of Dinópolis, under the name of the Stone Forest. Here you can discover what this territory was like 125 million years ago, when dinosaurs and mammals lived together in a fluvial ecosystem.

The nearby sites are of great value:

Abenfigo Icnites: well-preserved theropod dinosaur footprints.
Vallipón site: the most important site of Lower Cretaceous microvertebrates in Europe.
El Barranquillo: fossil coniferous trunks from an ancient forest.

All this makes Castellote a key point for palaeontology and scientific education.

Nature and routes in Castellote

The natural environment of Castellote is a constant invitation to go for a walk. Some recommended routes are:

Route to the castle and viewpoint: short climb with panoramic views of the valley and the reservoir.
Senda al Llovedor: pleasant walk through pine forests and rocky walls.
Hoces del Guadalope and Puente de Fonseca: river route that crosses canyons, travertines and ZEPA areas of high biodiversity.
Santolea reservoir: ideal for kayaking, swimming or climbing its vertical walls.

Festivals and living traditions

Traditional celebrations are important in Castellote, and maintain the link with the countryside, history and the community.

Festivities of San Macario (23 January): procession, bonfire and traditional songs known as “albadas”.
Pilgrimages to the Llovedor (May): curiously, men and women make pilgrimages on different days to ask for rain.
San Isidro (15 May): blessing of tractors, procession and humorous prizes for farmers.
Patron saint festivities (August): in honour of the Virgen del Agua, with bullfighting shows, music, sport and popular culture.

Practical information for your visit

How many days to stay?

A long weekend is ideal. The town centre can be visited in one day, but it is worth taking another day to enjoy the natural surroundings, visit the Stone Forest or combine with other villages in Maestrazgo such as Molinos, Mirambel or La Iglesuela del Cid.

Best time to go

Spring and autumn are the best times, with mild temperatures and nature at its best. In summer it can be hot during the day, but the nights are cool. Winter, although cold, offers snowy landscapes and absolute silence.

How to get there

From Teruel: 155 km on the N-420 and A-226.
From Zaragoza: 170 km on the N-232.
From Alcañiz or Morella: just 30-35 km.
Castellote has a regional bus stop.

Discover Teruel

Here are some more places we have marked on the map in Teruel, so you can add them to your itinerary:

Cantavieja: discover this beautiful medieval village. It is 1 hour and 26 minutes away via the A-226.
Calaceite: visit this medieval village, listed as one of the ‘Most Beautiful Villages in Spain’. One hour by the A-226 and N-420 motorways.
Mirambel: a medieval walled town declared a Historic-Artistic Site. One hour away on the A-226.
Peñarroya de Tastavins: medieval village among dinosaurs and mountains. 46 minutes via the A-1409.
Puertomingalvo: another medieval village belonging to the network of ‘The Most Beautiful Villages in Spain’. It is 2 hours away on the A-1701.
Monroyo: medieval village with many hiking trails. 40 minutes via the A-1409.
Sarrión: world capital of black truffles. 2 hours and 6 minutes via the N-420.

Accommodation in Castellote

If you are looking for accommodation in the area, Hotel Castellote is the ideal choice. Located in a quiet area and surrounded by nature, this hotel offers all the necessary amenities to enjoy a relaxing stay after touring the historic centre or exploring the natural environment of Maestrazgo.

Hotel Castellote

Conclusion: why visit Castellote

Castellote is Templar history, rural heritage, caves with millenary paintings, ruined castles, dinosaur sites, impossible bridges and ancestral pilgrimages. It is a place where every narrow street narrates centuries of resistance, conquest and reconstruction. To visit Castellote is to immerse yourself in the soul of the Maestrazgo, in that deep Aragon that surprises the traveller with its authenticity, its unexpected beauty and its evocative power. If you are looking for a different destination, where history, geology, hiking and rural calm blend together… Castellote awaits you. Are you ready to discover the most resistant Templar castle in Maestrazgo?

To make the most of your rural getaway, here are some useful products that you can buy before your trip so that you can be prepared for this wonderful getaway:

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Photo Credits

Below are the photo credits in order of appearance. Royalty-free photos will not be listed below:

Image Cover: Emilio Rubio Villanueva, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
CARLOS TEIXIDOR CADENAS, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
19Tarrestnom65, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Juan Emilio Prades Bel, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Juan Emilio Prades Bel, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Juan Emilio Prades Bel, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
CARLOS TEIXIDOR CADENAS, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Juanky Pamies, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
19Tarrestnom65, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Olinuez, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
CARLOS TEIXIDOR CADENAS, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons