The saltworks of Peralta de la Sal combine a long history of salt production with a distinctive landscape. The saltworks are designated a Bien de Interés Cultural. Salt was produced there continuously for around 2,000 years, until the end of the 20th century. The landscape includes evaporation ponds; hollowed-out, interlocking wooden channels distributed the salt water. The site’s long use and distribution system offer two different ways to explore the same subject: the history of salt production and the infrastructure used for it.
Church, Sanctuary and Castle Remains
The Iglesia de Santa María was built in the 17th century. Its Mudéjar-style plasterwork can be found on vaults, choir galleries, tribunes, arch reveals and the dome. These different areas show that the plasterwork is part of the church’s architecture and is not confined to a single motif. The church is classified as a Bien Catalogado of the cultural heritage of Aragón. The religious heritage also includes the Santuario de San José de Calasanz: a chapel built above the birthplace of San José de Calasanz forms the centre of the sanctuary.
The Castillo de la Mora de Peralta de Sal stands on a hill 772 metres high. The remains of two fortifications survive, including a 12-by-11-metre keep, an arched entrance, a vaulted cistern and sections of wall. These measurements give a precise indication of the keep’s size among the surviving structures. The castle is included in Aragón’s list of castles classified as Bienes de Interés Cultural. Together, the castle and church illustrate different aspects of architectural history: here, the remains of fortifications; there, a church interior with plasterwork across several architectural features.
Further Traces of the Town’s History
At the exit from Peralta de la Sal, on the road to Azanuy, is Lo Pilaret, a landscaped site. It features a tribune-shaped monument with side staircases and an olive tree on top. The monument commemorates an episode from the childhood of San José de Calasanz. The site thus connects a specific place with a memory of the saint, although the monument itself is neither a church nor a sanctuary.
The Pozo de Hielo de Peralta de la Sal is well preserved. It was used to produce ice, which was used to transport and preserve food, as well as to make ice cream and soft drinks. Unlike the saltworks, its focus was not the production of salt or the distribution of salt water, but the use of ice for various purposes. The two sites offer different insights into historical uses.
Hiking and Other Interests
The GR 23 Senderos por La Litera long-distance trail passes through Peralta de la Sal, adding a hiking option to the area’s cultural and historical attractions. There are also climbing routes at Roca de Migdia in the municipality of Peralta de Calasanz. The seasonal Belén de Javier is also located there, with more than 300 figures, most of which are movable. These attractions appeal to different interests: the GR 23 is a long-distance trail that passes through the town, while the climbing routes and Belén de Javier are in the municipality of Peralta de Calasanz. When planning your trip, you can therefore first decide whether to focus mainly on salt history, architectural and religious history, or also on hiking and other activities.
Discover more destinations: Sieste, Charo, Bentué de Rasal, Panticosa, Lanaja, Bisaurri, San Juan De Plan, Borau.
See the full travel overview: Huesca.
