Castillo de Tornos stands on a small hill; from there, you can see the Laguna de Gallocanta. This gives you two clear focal points for planning your trip: the wetland, with birdwatching and trails, and the buildings and festivals in Tornos.
Landscape and birdwatching
The Laguna de Gallocanta is the largest salt wetland on the Iberian Peninsula and the best-preserved salt wetland in Western Europe. It lies at an altitude of 1,000 metres between the Daroca and Jiloca comarcas. It is designated a Special Protection Area for Birds (ZEPA), a wetland of international importance and a nature reserve. Trails with observation platforms and wooden towers make it possible to explore the lagoon and watch birds.
Castle and historic traces
Castillo de Tornos is classified as a Bien de Interés Cultural and has three towers with square floor plans. Historically, it was part of a line of fortifications built between 1120 and 1134, stretching from Monreal del Campo to Monreal de Ariza. The hill overlooking the lagoon thus links a striking landscape setting with the castle’s architectural history.
Churches, hermitage and peirones
Ermita de la Virgen de los Olmos is a Baroque building constructed between 1735 and 1750. The image currently housed there is a copy; the original was stolen in 1987. Iglesia de San Salvador is also a Baroque church, dating from the 18th century. Its masonry comprises three naves covered by barrel vaults with lunettes. The main altarpiece, dedicated to the Saviour, contains a 16th-century sculpture of the saint.
The tower of Iglesia de San Salvador is made of stone and brick, has two storeys and is articulated with projecting brick pilasters in the pseudo-Ionic style. The peirones also vary in location and design: Peirón de la Plaza stands in the centre and is built entirely of stone. Peirón de la Virgen del Tremedal is in the town centre, on the road towards Calamocha. Peirón de San Juan stands on the road to Bello and has four clearly distinct sections.
On the path to the hermitage, monoliths mark the twelve Stations of the Cross. A small fortified settlement is also located on Cerro de la ermita de los Olmos. Its ditch is badly deteriorated; the enclosure wall measures about 67 metres at its longest point and about 35 metres at its narrowest.
Annual festivals
The Cofradía de la Sangre de Cristo was founded in Tornos in 1597. Its activities focus mainly on Holy Week, the Santa Cruz festival on 3 May, and the La Sitiada Mass on 14 September. A traditional procession with the cofradía takes place on 3 May, during which prayers are said for the deceased. The Día de la Asunción, known in Tornos as la Cachurrera, is celebrated on 15 August and is one of the most important annual festivals.
Trails and access
The PR-Z 33 Laguna de Gallocanta–Los Lagunazos circular route is 30.6 kilometres long and has 105 metres of ascent and descent. It begins two kilometres from the Laguna de Gallocanta Nature Reserve information centre, in the direction of Tornos, and ends at the information centre. Given its length, the PR-Z 33 is designed for travel by car or bicycle, but it can also be walked. A local road runs along the southern side of the Laguna de Gallocanta towards Tornos.
Tornos as a place to stay
If you are considering staying in Tornos, the two areas of interest—nature observation at the lagoon and cultural heritage in the town—can help guide your choice. The view from the castle connects the two; for route planning, the 30.6-kilometre PR-Z 33 provides another specific point of reference.
Discover more destinations: Cascante Del Río, Calomarde, Castellote, Abejuela, Jarque De La Val, Báguena, Beceite, Torre Del Compte
For the main travel overview: Teruel.
