Calaceite is in the province of Teruel and is the cultural capital of the Matarraña region. It's also one of the most unspoilt towns in this part of the country, providing a unique and very complete tourism experience.
It is an ideal holiday destination where you can do a wide range of activities, enjoying the streets, buildings, squares and monuments or heading out into the landscape to explore the valleys of the rivers Algars and Matarraña.
The region of Matarraña is known as the Tuscany of Spain for its rolling landscapes and hilltop towns. Calaceite itself has 1,000 inhabitants who speak two languages: Catalan, even though it is located in Teruel, and Spanish.
What to see in Calaceite? This fantastic place was a mediaeval village of great importance and you can visit some surviving vestiges of that era to this day. The town is recognised as a Site of Cultural Interest.
Among the highlights is the parish church of La Asunción, built in the Baroque style and dating back to 1695. It is the most important church, but not the only site of religious interest. There are numerous chapels located in what used to be the old city walls. Among the most outstanding are the chapel of San Antonio and the Portal-Chapel of the Virgen del Pilar.
In the centre of the village we find the Town Hall on the site where the Arab fortress used to stand. This is where the name Calaceite comes from, referring to the Castle of the Zayd family.
Other places such as the Plaza de España, the Bassa and the Torre de Calaceite are not to be missed either on a tour of the town.
But this is not the end of the tour, because there are several archaeological sites in the area that date from different periods of history, such as the Iberian settlements of San Antonio, Tossal de Redó and Els Castellans.
What to eat? The gastronomy of this area provides an explosion of flavours in a range of traditional dishes. They include cassolana, made with rice and pork ribs, pig's trotters and cóc en primentró, which resembles a pizza. All these recipes have a common denominator, olive oil with Designation of Origin Bajo Aragón status. If you want to buy something in Calaceite, some olive oil from one of its cooperatives makes a perfect souvenir.
How to get here? The easiest way is by car, but if you prefer, there are also several bus routes to this town.
Moreover, if you come by car you will be able to go on a lot of trips in the Matarraña region, allowing you to enjoy the beautiful landscapes, as well as the surrounding villages.
For the full experience, how about renting a place to stay? In Calaceite you have holiday cottages on offer, although you can also stay in a rural hotel or a flat in the centre of town.
And if you want to get to know the Matarraña in depth, there are several villages in the area where you can stay as well - Valderrobres is a good example.
