Calaceite
Elevation: 511 m
Area: 81,33 km²
Population: 1039
PLAZA ESPAÑA
The Main Square or ‘del Sitjar’ (of silos) is and has been the meeting place for the calaceitanos (locals). Assemblies were held here, prisoners were executed and there was a market under the porches, as evidenced by the ‘Vara’ (stick), a measurement equal to 771 mm.
LA BASSA
This huge pond collected rainwater to supply the population, livestock and cavalry, as well as the nearby weaving industries. Fish were also bred here and sold to raise funds for the Cofradía de la Sangre (a brotherhood).
TOWN HALL
The civil architecture used here dates from 1609 and blends aesthetics with functionality. The ‘Lonja’ (porch) and the ancient prison are situated on the ground floor; the plenary room, which houses a wooden crucifix of Santo Cristo, is on the main floor; and the typical gallery with semicircular arches is located on the second floor.
CALLE MAELLA
This is one of the most significant streets in the historical centre. The architecture of its buildings show how stately it once was and its stone manor houses are decorated with wrought iron balconies, coats of arms and many other features.
PORTAL CAPILLA DEL PILAR
This ancient portal in the wall changed from serving a defensive function to performing a religious role in the 18th century, due to the construction of a Baroque chapel over it. It is especially unique because it stands at the meeting point of eight streets and is situated over uneven terrain.
PORTAL CAPILLA DE SAN ANTONIO
The Baroque chapel of San Antonio was built over an ancient wall portal in the 18th century. Standing vertically next to this is a second portal, called ‘de Orta’, that rises over a grand staircase.
IGLESIA DE ASUNCIÓN
The construction of this Baroque church started in 1695 over much of a smaller and more primitive Gothic church. This sparked a construction boom in Calaceite. The church hall has three naves that are connected to three doors on the façade, which are decorated with iron nails.
CAPILLA DE SAN ROQUE
The Renaissance chapel (1613) was built on a slope next to the ancient hospital and very close to ‘Portal de la Font’ (where ‘la taula de la Carrasca’ or the customs building between Calaceite and Catalonia was located). This meant that the chapel stood outside the walls, so it has few openings and loopholes as windows.
CASA NATAL DE JUAN CABRÉ
Juan Cabré Aguiló (1882-1947) pioneered Spain’s modern archaeology. He excavated Poblado Íbero de San Antonio (an Iberian settlement) and discovered the first cave paintings in ‘Roca dels Moros’ at ‘Calapata’ (Cretas), the first examples of Levantine cave paintings. His did not only do scientific in Matarraña, but in the whole Iberian Peninsula.
CASA MOIX
This stone manor house is known for its large corner balcony, which is supported by ornamented corbels. It was built in the 18th century, the construction boom period in Calaceite. There is a copy of this in the Pueblo Español in Barcelona (a museum of reproductions of Spanish buildings), together with Casa Jassà located in Plaza de España.
PLAZA DE LOS ARTISTAS
Calaceite has been a meeting point for artists, writers and researchers. This square was erected in 1999 in recognition of all the artists and intellectuals who gathered here: from J. Cabré and S. Vidiella to T. Jassà, J. Donoso and A. Crespo.
ERMITA DE SAN CRISTÓBAL
Construcción del siglo XVIII de estilo barroco con paredes de sillería. La devoción al santo es más antigua que la ermita, se remonta como mínimo a la primera mitad del siglo XIV. El día del santo, patrón de los conductores, es el 10 de julio, el viernes más cercano se organiza un baile por la noche y al día siguiente, se bendicen los vehículos.
ERMITA DE SANTA ANA
La construcción y la celebración de santa Ana datan del año 1608 por la aprobación del Concejo pero no fue hasta el 1621 que se adjudicó la obra. En la actualidad se celebra fiesta en la ermita el sábado anterior al lunes de Pascua Florida, dentro de las Fiestas de Primavera.
POBLADO IBERO DE SAN ANTONIO
Este poblado, estratégicamente situado en un cerro, puede datar entre los siglos V y II a.C. Se destaca dos partes donde la más antigua correspondería a la parte más elevada. La segunda fase, del siglo III a.C, corresponde al apogeo del poblado con su extensión, con casas escalonadas que se adaptan al terreno.