At the foot of the Sierra de Gúdar is the municipality of Mora de Rubielos, which forms part of the region of Gúdar-Javalambre in Teruel. Tourists in the area will discover a landscape at an altitude of more than 1,000 metres above sea level, a mediaeval town and distinct taste of truffle.
It's only 40 kilometres from Teruel city to Mora, which makes it an ideal destination for a weekend away, although we suggest you stay a few days longer and discover all the history, legends and secrets of the area.
The 1,500 inhabitants of the area, known as moranos, live in one of three different areas: the countryside, the suburbs and the old town centre. This last one overlooks the beautiful region of Alto Mijares and River Fuen Lozana.
What to see in Mora de Rubielos? The town has a large number of sites where you can enjoy history and culture. In addition, it was declared a Historic Site, so you can imagine how important it is.
Among the main landmarks are the Excolegiata de Santa María la Mayor, one of the best examples of Gothic architecture in the area. Built in the fourteenth century, it was declared a National Monument in 1944 and a Site of Cultural Interest in 2004.
Continuing with the religious architecture we find the five hermitages: of Loreto, San Roque, Soledad, Dolorosa and San Miguel.
The Castle Palace of the Fernández Heredia family is located in the highest part of the town and today houses the Ethnological Museum, which even has a library. In the centre is the Town Hall and some original arched entrance ways to the town.
Do you know what Rubielos means? It comes from Rubus Idoeus, which refers to the large number of blackberry bushes that grow in the area and are visible in architectural motifs around the area.
As for the festivals, the most important is the Feast of St. Michael, which is celebrated in September. Other important festivals are the Festival Puerta al Mediterráneo, which is held in summer in the castle and features artists performing dances and works of theatre.
As if all of that wasn't enough, there's the gastronomy. Here, the truffle is a kind of black gold. If you’re visiting, you have to try the truffle - and take some home with you - because of its high quality and ability to enhance the flavour of meat dishes. The sausages are also famous for their quality.
And as for the excursions that you can do in the area, we highlight the Ruta de las Trincheras where you can see trenches from the civil war and the reservoir of Las Tosquillas. Another trip that will take you deep into the natural landscape is the Castellar Route to the source of the River Mijares.
As you can see, there are many things you can do in this region, so the best thing to do is to find accommodation in Mora de Rubielos for a few days. There are vacation rental apartments, cabins, hotels and holiday cottages in the centre of the town and the surrounding area.
