In Sabiñán, architectural history, landscape and trails come together as distinct aspects of the town. The architecture dates from the 16th to the 18th century; the hikes described here head towards Morés or Valcardera. Another local speciality is the Negral de Saviñán olive variety. Those interested in culture, outdoor activities and regional food can plan their stay around these different highlights.

Churches, a Palace and a Viewpoint

The Iglesia de San Pedro Apóstol was built in the 16th century in the Aragonese Mudéjar style and is listed as a “Bien Catalogado del Patrimonio Cultural Aragonés”. The façade is the main feature of the Palacio de los Condes de Argillo: its main façade is about 34 metres long and consists of brickwork above a base of dressed stone blocks. An arcaded gallery crowns the building, typical of larger works of Aragonese Renaissance architecture from the 16th and 17th centuries. This makes it possible to distinguish the church’s Mudéjar classification from the palace’s materials and gallery.

The present-day Ermita de San Roque was built in the 18th century; construction was completed around 1730. Its floor plan is in the shape of a Latin cross. The sections are covered by barrel vaults, while the central bay has a hemispherical dome on pendentives. Its location is also remarkable: standing on a promontory, the hermitage overlooks the town and a wide stretch of the Jalón River plain.

At the Iglesia de San Miguel Arcángel, you can see another Mudéjar building. Its exterior façade features particularly striking Mudéjar decoration; this church is also listed as a “Bien Catalogado del Patrimonio Cultural Aragonés”. The lower part of its octagonal tower may once have been a Muslim minaret. At San Miguel, both the façade decoration and the tower’s possible former function are therefore of interest.

Hiking Trails towards Morés and Valcardera

The SL-Z 26 hiking trail follows the Acequia Somera and leads to Morés, about six kilometres away. Check local conditions before setting out.

The Andana al Enebro de Valcardera hike starts at the stone bridge in Saviñán. It crosses fruit orchards to the track and ravine of Valcardera, as well as the spring, pool and livestock watering troughs of Valcardera. The trail is signposted.

The Camino de Morés y Purroy also starts at the stone bridge in Saviñán. It passes through the fields of La Casilla and La Arcada and runs parallel to the route of the former 19th-century railway line as far as Morés. The two routes to Morés can be distinguished by their described trail features: the SL-Z 26 follows the Acequia Somera, while the fields and former railway line provide landmarks on the Camino.

The Andana offers a different focus: its destination is the Valcardera area, and the route takes in fruit orchards, a ravine, a spring, a pool and livestock watering troughs. Together with the two routes to Morés, this gives you a clear choice of destinations and landscape features. For all three hikes, check local conditions before setting out.

Olives and Local Food Culture

Olives are also part of Sabiñán’s landscape. Most of the town’s olive trees are of the Negral de Saviñán variety. Their olives are sweet, ripen like raisins and are eaten dried. For travellers interested in regional food culture as well as buildings and trails, this variety and the way it is prepared offer a specific local connection.

Discover more destinations: Valareña, Villalengua, Puebla De Alfindén, Munébrega, Calatorao, Osera De Ebro, Fuencalderas, La Muela

For the main travel guide: Zaragoza.