In Tauste, buildings, archaeological traces and religious traditions represent different layers of time: from the ruins of the pre-Roman city of Valdetaus to processions and customs passed down through the generations. Travelers who choose the town as a destination can discover different aspects of its history, rather than limiting their stay to a single theme.

Church of Santa María and the Mudéjar Tower

The Iglesia de Santa María de Tauste is protected as a BIC monument. It dates from the late 13th to early 14th century; the 46-meter-high, octagonal Torre de Santa María, by contrast, is thought most likely to date from the 11th century. The tower is considered an important Mudéjar building and an example of towers with an Almohad architectural tradition in Aragón. One historical interpretation regards it as a former minaret of a mosque that may have stood on this site. Thus, the church’s established date and the tower’s probable, yet interpretive, classification stand alongside one another.

Museum and Town History

The parish museum of the Iglesia de Santa María is housed in three chapels built in the 16th century. It displays sculptures and paintings from the 13th to 18th centuries. The collection therefore spans a period beyond the construction of the chapels. Casa de la Cámara also offers insight into architectural history: it was built in the second third of the 16th century or at the beginning of the 17th century and largely reflects the characteristics of Aragonese Renaissance palaces.

The ruins of the pre-Roman city of Valdetaus reveal a much older layer of history. They lie beside the A-127 Aragón–Tudela road in the municipality of Tauste and are dated approximately to the period between 500 and 50 BC. Much of the medieval town wall has disappeared; a few surviving remains reveal its former course. The development of the town area is also part of Tauste’s history: Barrio Nuevo was established after the expulsion of 1492 on the site of the former Jewish quarter.

Religious Traditions and Their Dates

Semana Santa de Tauste is recognized as a Fiesta de Interés Turístico de Aragón. Its origins date back to the arrival of the Franciscans in the 16th century. Another religious tradition is the Rosario de Cristal de Tauste, a procession held annually on April 22, weather permitting. It features polychrome glass lanterns in various shapes and sizes. Visitors who would like to see the lanterns outside the procession can view them at the Museo del Rosario de Cristal throughout the year; check current access arrangements before your visit.

The Voto de San Miguel has been observed without interruption since the vow made in 1421. Tauste’s cultural heritage also includes the traditional Dance de Tauste, whose performance style has remained unchanged for more than 150 years. These details highlight different aspects: the vow points to a specific historical date, while the Dance emphasizes the continuity of a form passed down through the generations.

The Canal de Tauste and Route 4

The history of water engineering offers another way to explore the town. The Canal de Tauste is considered Europe’s oldest canal still in operation, taking into account its origins in the 13th century. Route 4, “El Ebro y el canal de Tauste,” runs along the canal’s right bank. Its stops also include the mill on the road from Pradilla and the Aqueduct of Las Trabas. If you plan to take this route, check road conditions before setting out.

The themes of a visit can thus be considered separately: the church, tower and Casa de la Cámara represent architectural history; Valdetaus opens up a much earlier archaeological horizon; and the canal connects the history of water engineering with a specifically described route.

Discover more destinations: San Mateo De Gállego, Mesones De Isuela, Santa Eulalia De Gállego, Las Cuerlas, Sobradiel, Villalba de Perejil, Calatorao, Villarroya de la Sierra

For the main travel overview: Zaragoza.