Hermitage of San Cristóbal and Iberian settlement

The hermitage of San Cristóbal is a building of considerable proportions that was constructed in the late 18th century. It has a Latin cross plan and is covered by a barrel vault with lunettes. The building is made of solid ashlar masonry and features a dome and a centred bell gable. On the right side is the sacristy, creating a secondary apse.

Inside the hermitage, the paintings decorating the central dome, especially those on the pendentives, depict the Fathers of the Church. In addition, the hermitage has a round arch doorway and an octagonal lantern above the crossing dome. Next to the hermitage stands the hermit's house, which consists of three storeys and eight openings in the facade, one of which is a balcony.

The Iberian settlement of San Cristóbal is located next to the hermitage of San Cristóbal, which houses the Centro de Visitantes of Mazaleón, on the right bank of the Matarraña River. This settlement, which dates from the Early Iron Age, plays a fundamental role in the understanding of the Iberianisation of the Ebro Valley.

The Iberian settlement of San Cristóbal has yielded interesting archaeological finds. Remains of walls with irregular masonry covered by painted plasterwork have been preserved. Among the finds, an abundant quantity of ceramics was discovered, including pieces decorated with interlaced cords and zig-zag motifs. In addition to wheel-thrown ceramics, some metallic objects were found, such as bronze bracelets.

A particularly notable find in this settlement was the discovery of fragments of a Phoenician ceramic vessel, suggesting cultural interactions between the Iberian inhabitants and the Phoenicians. These finds are fundamental to the knowledge of history and culture in the Ebro Valley during the Early Iron Age.

From Mazaleón, take a path that leads towards the hermitage of San Cristóbal, crossing the Matarraña River.