Images of the hermitage and its surroundings
Explore the architecture of the hermitage, the remains of the olive-oil mill and the beautiful landscape surrounding this historic site in Fuentespalda.
Hermitage of San Pedro Mártir
A journey into the history and traditions of Fuentespalda, between religious architecture and the vestiges of an ancient necropolis and olive-oil mill.
The hermitage of San Pedro Mártir stands to the right of the Tastavins river, in the municipality of Fuentespalda and near the boundaries with neighbouring towns such as La Portellada, Ráfales and Valderrobres. It is a simple construction with rubble masonry walls and ashlar masonry stones at the corners. It consists of a single nave that extends towards a large entrance atrium. In the atrium, several incised graffiti are preserved on the walls, most of which probably date from the 18th and 19th centuries.
The old olive-oil mill
Beside the hermitage lie the remains of an old olive-oil mill. Three enormous double pillars that supported lever presses for oil extraction stand out particularly. This mill operated using human and animal power and drew water from the Tastavins river for the oil-making process. The location of a mill of this size away from an urban centre made sense at the time, as the area is home to numerous olive groves. With the means of transport available then, it was more practical to mill the olives where they were produced.
What other historic finds and cultural traditions await beside the hermitage?
Near the hermitage, remains of a necropolis dating from the Iron Age were also found, adding an interesting archaeological dimension to the area. Every year, on the Saturday closest to 29 April — the feast day of the saint to whom it is dedicated — the inhabitants of Fuentespalda and nearby villages gather to celebrate a pilgrimage at this hermitage.
Matarraña · Tourism
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