A 34-metre-high Roman dam, steep streets and paths through a landscape of irrigated orchards give Almonacid de la Cuba a distinctive character. When planning your visit, it is worth distinguishing between the town’s buildings and the different hiking and sightseeing options: some paths pass by the dam, while the guided Pasarelas route requires a reservation and an admission ticket.

The dam: construction history and visits

Construction of the first Presa Romana de Almonacid de la Cuba dates to the 1st century, during the reigns of Augustus and Tiberius. Today, the dam is designated a Bien de Interés Cultural and is considered to be well preserved. At 34 metres high, it is a striking feature of the town’s history. Visitors can explore it via walkways open to the public and a restored section with 103 steps leading to the foot of the structure.

Anyone wishing to take the guided “Visita guiada Presa Romana – Pasarelas” route must book in advance and buy an admission ticket. The tour starts at the tourist information point by the dam. This distinguishes it from the self-guided route to Pozo de los Chorros. For that route, there is a 3-kilometre option from Almonacid de la Cuba that goes only to the destination. This distance applies to that option; it does not refer to any other sections of the route.

Streets, churches and traces of the town’s history

Almonacid de la Cuba lies on the steep slope of a gorge carved by the Aguasvivas as it flows through the Sierra de Belchite. The gradient is also evident in the town itself: its narrow, winding, steeply sloping streets evoke its Muslim past. At the top is the Ermita de Ntra. Sra. de las Nieves. It was built on the site of the former Arab castle, which was destroyed during the Spanish Civil War.

The remains of the Torre de Almonacid de la Cuba stand on a hill immediately next to the town, beside the Ermita de Ntra. Sra. de las Nieves. The square tower is built of irregular stones and is heavily ruined. The Iglesia de Santa María la Mayor offers a different glimpse into the town’s architectural history: it was built in the second half of the 16th century, around 1570, and combines Gothic and Baroque elements. The Baroque elements date from renovations in the 17th century. The Ermita de Nuestra Señora de los Dolores adds to the townscape as a Baroque building with a pronounced verticality.

The restored Molino Bajo is also part of the town’s history. The mill has preserved its millstones; the building currently houses the Almonacid de la Cuba tourist information office. Those interested in historic town layouts can visit the Barrio Verde, or Jewish quarter, on the Ruta Patrimonio.

Comparing hiking routes and landscapes

Several routes pass by the dam or through the surrounding area in different ways. The Lécera–Belchite section of the Camino de Santiago from Castellón to Bajo Aragón passes the viewpoint at the Roman dam and the Área recreativa La Cuba recreation area before entering Almonacid de la Cuba. The Ruta Belchite - Almonacid de la Cuba - Mojón del Lobo - Belchite also passes through the dam. If you are looking for a self-guided route to Pozo de los Chorros instead, the 3-kilometre option mentioned above is available.

The circular “Ruta Almonacid de la Cuba - Letux - Almonacid de la Cuba” offers a different landscape, with a route through cultivated land planted with olive, almond and fruit trees. The larger “Rutas del Aguasvivas y sus afluentes” network comprises 16 hiking and cycling routes through several municipalities, including Almonacid de la Cuba. The limestone hills along the Aguasvivas also offer opportunities to observe nature: groups of ibex are often spotted there. Orchards and fruit trees close to the river are watered by irrigation channels, creating a green contrast with the otherwise dry landscape.

Climbing is another activity described here: Almonacid de la Cuba has 18 routes of varying difficulty, spread across two areas—the Peña del Águila and the street area within the town centre. Alongside historic buildings and hiking routes, there are therefore other specific options to choose from.

Discover more destinations: Vera De Moncayo, Jaraba, Cabañas De Ebro, Caspe, La Muela, Codo, Biel, Munébrega.

Return to the main travel overview: Zaragoza.