Mas de las Matas is shaped by its architectural and religious heritage, as well as by themes related to water and its use. The church, town hall, museum and routes along the Guadalope represent different facets of the town. A common thread for planning a trip is the transition between cultural history and water management: the sites and routes each have their own focus.

Architecture and local traditions

The Iglesia de San Juan Bautista is protected as a Bien de Interés Cultural (BIC) in the Monument category. The Capilla de la Virgen del Pilar dates from the mid-18th century and preserves its original image. A total of twelve chapels have survived. They are dedicated to San Juan Bautista, Virgen del Rosario, San Antonio Abad, San Miguel, San Pascual Bailón, San Roque, San José, Virgen del Carmen, Santa Flora, Piedad, Virgen del Pilar and Virgen de los Dolores.

The Casa de la Villa offers a different architectural accent: a Renaissance town hall with an arcaded loggia that occupies a large part of the ground floor. The Mochiganga is part of the local oral tradition: this humorous verse performance consists of about 120 verses and is performed in the church square after Mass. Patron saint festivities include La Carroza, a traditional procession through Plana Sancho and Mayor streets and across the church square. The patron saint festivities at the end of August also include a procession accompanied by the giant figures of La Pasma.

Museum and water management

The Museo de Mas de las Matas has three exhibition areas: the Museo de historia local, the Molino harinero and the Alfarda. They each focus on different aspects of local history, milling, and water and industrial archaeology. The Alfarda is a restored early-20th-century warehouse that houses the Oficina de Turismo and serves as an interpretation centre for water and industrial archaeology. The museum is accessed via the Oficina de Turismo in the same area of the Alfarda, at C/ La Costera 2. If the Oficina is closed in winter, visits are arranged by appointment.

Routes along the Guadalope and in the surrounding area

The route data currently published by Turismo de Aragón describes the PR-TE 50 Mas de las Matas–Las Parras de Castellote as a 23.1-kilometre circular route. It starts and ends in Mas de las Matas; the stated duration is about 7 hours and 10 minutes. At the Puente de la Palanca, the route crosses the Guadalope and runs alongside an irrigation channel and above the weir on the Guadalope, among other features.

The Ruta del Agua starts at the Oficina de Turismo and leads to the numerous washing places that developed along irrigation channels. QR codes tell their story. The two routes therefore have different focuses: the PR-TE 50 passes by the river, irrigation channel and weir, while the Ruta del Agua highlights the washing places and their history. The landscapes around Mas de las Matas, shaped by the Guadalope and Bergantes rivers, are suitable for hiking, cycling and horse riding.

Another destination nearby is the Bosque pétreo, six kilometres away. This site of fossilised tree trunks, which is open to visitors, complements the water-related routes with a different connection to the landscape.

Discover more destinations: Cubla, Guadalaviar, Bronchales, El Castellar, San Agustín, Abejuela, Cuevas De Cañart, Urrea De Gaén

For the overview of destinations in the wider area: Teruel.