Those considering Ateca for a cultural getaway or a hiking holiday will find a range of options: Mudéjar architecture and festive traditions, as well as a circular hike and the place of Alcocer, associated with the Cantar de Mio Cid. Plan your trip according to whether you want to focus on architecture, a festival date or time on a hiking route.
Buildings from Different Periods
Santa María de Ateca is a Mudéjar church, and together with its tower it is protected as a Bien de Interés Cultural. The oldest part of the church dates from the 14th century; the tower is older. Its ceramic and brick design stands out. Another tower is a feature of the town’s architectural history: the square Torre del Reloj was built in 1560 over a medieval masonry tower.
The Casa Consistorial showcases another architectural facet. Construction began in 1628; the building belongs to the Aragonese Renaissance and features stone arcades and a distinctive arched gallery. In the San Martín neighbourhood, the Iglesia de San Francisco is the most prominent surviving part of a former Capuchin monastery. It houses a 17th-century altarpiece dedicated to the Immaculate Conception. The octagonal bullring is also part of Ateca’s architectural history: it was built in 1864 and is one of the oldest bullrings in Aragon.
Semana Santa and Guided Tours
Ateca’s Semana Santa was designated a Fiesta de Interés Turístico in Aragón in 1996. The Hermandad de la Soledad has organised the processions since 1661. More than 300 people take part in the Santo Entierro, which includes 34 pasos. Alongside religious tradition, the event is notable for its scale and community participation.
The Semana Santa Interpretation Centre is housed in the former sacristan’s house next to Santa María. Exhibits include costumes worn by figures in the processions, historic banners and flags, and the brotherhood’s first record book. A guided tour also includes the exterior and interior of the Mudéjar tower, the chapel of the patron saint Virgen de la Peana and the centre. It starts at the tourist office in Plaza de España. Check availability and the current tour date there before your trip.
Another interpretation centre is the Centro de Interpretación Puerta del Manubles, located in the Arco de San Miguel. When it opened in 2010, one of its three floors was dedicated to the Manubles and Jalón rivers.
Festivals on Set Dates
San Blas and La Máscara are celebrated in Ateca on 2 and 3 February. The red-and-yellow-striped figure chases boys who try to take its bells. During the festival, La Máscara jumps over a fire in Plaza de España, followed by the traditional song Puente de Alcolea. The festivities in honour of the Virgen de la Peana take place from 6 to 10 September. They include processions, a solemn Mass, flower offerings, bull events, public dances in Plaza España and artistic performances.
Carnival and the Dance de Ateca also add their own distinctive touches to the festival calendar. Carnival is celebrated 40 days before Semana Santa, with elaborate costumes and prizes. The Dance has been documented for 400 years and is performed regularly every few years. This theatrical performance features Moors, devils, Christians and members of the royal household. If you want a festival to determine when you travel, check the specific dates for your travel year.
Hiking Around Ateca
The SL-Z2 Ruta de Alcocer is a 12.5-kilometre circular hike estimated to take just over three hours. It starts at the Arco de San Miguel, crosses the Manubles and joins the Camino del Cid. The distance and duration help you gauge how much time to set aside for the hike.
The route is also linked to places and stories associated with the name Alcocer. The Mora Encantada is a clay outcrop in the Las Cárcamas area, associated with the settlement of Alcocer and the Cantar de Mio Cid. The remains of the Castillo de Alcocer are located there. The Castillo de la Morica Encantada, also known as the Castillo de Alcocer, is protected as a Bien de Interés Cultural. Another signposted route is the R4 Valmayor-La-Sierra-La-Atalaya; its arrows indicate the direction to follow.
Getting There and Accommodation
You can travel from Ateca to Calatayud by both train and bus. Check the timetable before setting off. For accommodation in Ateca, the restored Castillo de Ateca houses the Hotel Castillo Fortaleza de Ateca. Check availability for your travel dates if you are considering staying at this hotel.
Discover more destinations: Leciñena, Los Fayos, Cariñena, Villanueva De Gállego, Almonacid de la Sierra, Villarroya de la Sierra, La Muela, Sediles.
For the wider travel overview: Zaragoza.
