Villalba de Perejil can be explored from two perspectives: the architectural history of its churches and towers, and the landscape in which the settlement is grouped on the mountainside between the Sierras de Atea and Vicor. Characteristic gypsum stone shapes the houses and the landscape’s colours. Historic buildings in the village and routes with a broader focus on the landscape offer different points of reference when planning your stay.
Churches, a Tower and Medieval Traces
The Iglesia de San Cristóbal was built between the 17th and 18th centuries over the remains of an earlier mosque. Its single-nave interior is divided by round arches into five sections. If you like to understand architecture through its layout, you can look out for this clear sequence: one nave, five sections and the arches separating them. The building’s history thus connects the present-day church with an earlier use of the site.
The Baroque tower of the Iglesia de San Cristóbal also has a clearly articulated form. Its lower section is solid and plastered; above it rises a brick structure with a round-arched opening on each side. Another historical trace is the Torre de Villalba de Perejil, a small Islamic defensive tower. It also served as the minaret of the mosque that stood on the present-day church site. Three defensive towers in Villalba de Perejil formed part of the valley’s medieval defence system.
The Capilla de San Bartolomé offers another perspective on the village’s history. Its linear Gothic wall and vault paintings date from the second half of the 14th century and depict the life and legend of the Apostle Bartholomew. This specific pictorial narrative sits alongside the architecture of the church and tower. There is also an important structural limitation to bear in mind when planning a visit: access to the chapel from the presbytery is now bricked up.
Routes Between the Village and the Landscape
Several options with different focuses can be distinguished when planning routes. The GR 90.2 variant passes through Villalba de Perejil. The village is also on the “Caminos de la Celtiberia” mountain-biking route. The first reference is therefore to a GR variant that passes through the village, while the second is to a route designated as a mountain-biking route. Their names help distinguish the routes without combining them into a single tour.
Route 4, “DEL PEREJILES A SIERRA VICOR”, provides a broader regional perspective. It includes Villalba de Perejil, as well as Sediles, Belmonte de Gracián, Mara, Orera, Ruesca, Miedes de Aragón, Codos and Tobed, and is about 45.5 kilometres long. Along its corridor, the Sierra lies to the north and the steppe to the south. This means the route can be understood not only by its approximate length but also by the landscape contrast described. Its scale differs from that of the GR variant that passes through Villalba de Perejil.
A specific tradition is also associated with the village: a report from the diocesan news service dated 19 January 2026 describes a celebration of San AntĂłn at the Iglesia de San CristĂłbal. The Eucharistic celebration was followed by the traditional blessing of the animals. If you would like to experience a celebration like this, check the specific date locally in advance.
When looking for a holiday rental, these distinctions can help you decide whether Villalba de Perejil is the right destination for you: the churches, defensive tower and paintings give a visit to the village a historical focus, while the routes add a broader landscape perspective. First consider whether the architectural history or exploring one of the routes described should play a bigger part in your stay.
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Puebla De Alfindén, Zuera, Grisel, Fuendetodos, Los Fayos, Nuez de Ebro, Fuencalderas, Villanueva De Gállego
For the broader travel overview: Saragossa.
