Hermitage of Santa Bárbara

Built in the 18th century and rebuilt at the end of the 19th century.

The hermitage of Santa Bárbara was built in the 17th century on a hill parallel to the old castle. In 1685, a brotherhood (cofradía) was founded under its patronage, whose members were obliged among other things to assist one another in case of illness and to attend the funerals of deceased brothers.

In 1760, the hermitage was rebuilt under the auspices of the town hall and transformed into a chapel with a transept, dome and choir. Despite its eminently religious function, owing to its strategic location it was used as a defensive bulwark during the Carlist Wars and was virtually destroyed.

However, the hermitage had not yet seen its last days and was rebuilt in 1891 thanks to charitable donations. Unfortunately, on this occasion it again could not escape the ravages of wars and the passage of time, and was once more destroyed. In recent years, various restoration works have been carried out to adapt it for cultural purposes.

Along the access path, lined with cypresses, the remains of chapels housed in caves dedicated to San Juan Bautista and San Mateo are preserved.

From the promontory, you can take in the valley of Silence, crossed by the Matarraña River.

The remains of the hermitage are located on a hill in La Fresneda. You reach it by following the signs to the hermitage of Santa Bárbara, passing through the town centre and continuing along a steep asphalted road to the water tank. The site is accessed by following a winding path lined with cypresses, integrated into the Calvary or Stations of the Cross complex, and climbing a staircase carved into the rock itself.

To the north and west, agrarian landscapes with curved dry-stone walls among almond trees, olive trees and cereal crops can be seen. To the south and west, dense pine forest landscapes with the somewhat hazy backdrop of the Puertos de Beceite massif.

La Fresneda, castle remains on the neighbouring hill, Val de Zafán Greenway viaduct, Torre del Compte, Valjunquera and the Matarraña River.

February and March when the almond trees are in blossom.