Matarraña

Matarraña is a comarca in Teruel Province featuring rolling valleys filled with stone villages, olive orchards, and the Gothic fortress of Valderrobres standing above the landscape. Narrow roads link the settlements through ravines and hillsides, revealing the region's rugged topography and dense vegetation.

The comarca received an official settlement charter in 1183, establishing organized population centers after Christian forces reclaimed the territory from Moorish rule. This founding document shaped how villages were structured and how settlers would inhabit the land.

Local traditions blend Aragonese and Catalan influences visible in the language spoken by residents, the stone architecture of the villages, and the food made with olive oil and almonds that visitors find in shops and restaurants throughout the comarca.

The comarca offers an extensive network of hiking trails connecting the villages, with Valderrobres serving as the main hub for lodging and supplies. Visitors should wear sturdy footwear and bring water, as paths and village streets are uneven, particularly during warmer months.

The medieval bridge of Valderrobles spans the river and leads to houses that hang directly over the water before reaching the castle complex. These suspended dwellings are an uncommon architectural feature that few other places in the region still preserve.