El Bocal is in Navarre, southeast of Fontellas, between the Ebro and the Imperial Canal of Aragon. This is where the Imperial Canal begins: from El Bocal, the waterway runs for a total of 108 kilometres to Fuentes de Ebro. El Bocal de Fontellas has been declared a Site of Cultural Interest. Water engineering, architecture and nature trails define the different sides of the area, and can be explored separately.
Canal, Water Engineering and Architecture
The Casa de Compuertas channels water from the Ebro through eleven openings, each fitted with its own gate. The building was originally built as the residence of the canal governor. In the same complex, the Palacio de Carlos V tells a different story of construction: it originally served as the Casa de Compuertas of the Acequia Imperial in 1528. The palace dates from the 16th century and was extensively remodelled in the 19th century, particularly its main façade.
The building has a clearly defined layout: two brick floors rise above a stone ground floor. The main façade has two towers and arcaded galleries on both the lower and upper levels. The gardens around the palace include ponds and statues. The layout of the complex also helps distinguish its parts: one area contains the dam dating from 1790 and the Casa de Compuertas dating from 1780; the other contains the Palacio de Carlos V. A paved road connects the two areas.
Further historic details reflect the development of the site. Upstream is an 18th-century church, built on the initiative of the Aragonese canon Ramón de Pignatelli. Behind the palace is an older, 16th-century church built of ashlar by Gil de Morlanes. The historic settlement also included an inn beside the landing place for travellers—fitting for a time when the canal was navigable.
Gardens, a Monumental Tree and a Maze
The Roble de El Bocal oak stands in the garden of the Palacio de Carlos V. The tree is in the El Vivero area, next to the origin of the Imperial Canal of Aragon, and is designated a Natural Monument of Navarre. It is estimated to be more than 30 metres tall and over 500 years old. Here, the history of nature and the history of the waterway meet.
Another named attraction is the Laberinto Carlos, a hedge maze covering more than 1,700 square metres. It offers a different focus from the historic buildings: here, the layout of the landscaped garden takes centre stage, while the Casa de Compuertas and the palace illustrate the history of water and architecture. Together, these themes can help you decide whether you would prefer to discover El Bocal through its historic sites or its landscaped surroundings.
Understanding the Trails and Routes
The Camino Natural del Ebro GR-99 runs from the main entrance to El Bocal, over the Formigales Bridge and then through the Soto de Fontellas. The GR-99 reaches the historic hydraulic complex via a path lined with reeds. Nearby, a nature trail begins at the Palacio de Carlos V and continues to the end of El Bocal. These descriptions refer to different sections and starting points; check trail conditions locally before setting out.
The Camino de Santiago del Ebro also reaches Bocal de Fontellas: along the route by the Imperial Canal, it lies about five kilometres beyond Ribaforada. This is distinct from the Cortes–Tudela section of the Camino de Santiago del Ebro. This linear route is 25.17 kilometres long and has a low difficulty level. If you include this section in your plans, check conditions and trail markings before setting out. This helps distinguish a local walk through El Bocal from planning a longer route.
Discover more destinations: Donamaria, Beintza-Labaien, SaragĂĽeta, Arantza, Etxalar, LĂ©rruz, Oskotz, Fontellas.
For the broader travel overview: Navarre.
