Jail of Torre de Arcas

The cells of Torre de Arcas are located on the ground floor of the town hall, situated in the calle del Horno, in the centre of the village.

The jail of Torre de Arcas dates from the 17th century and consists of two small cells of approximately eight square metres each, accessed through the courtyard of the building. The cells are closed by a flat-beam door in which the original bolt can be seen. In one of the cells, some inscriptions made by prisoners can be observed.

The town hall (Casa Consistorial) of Torre de Arcas, erected in the early 17th century, is a magnificent example of the traditional civic architecture of the Matarraña region. This building served not only as the seat of Council meetings and a gathering point for residents, but also housed the local jail and, in its "lonja" (porticoed hall), the bustling village market.

Despite its initial architectural simplicity, which may be linked to the separation of Torre de Arcas from Monroyo in 1791 under the reign of Charles IV, the settlement had existed much earlier, even from the period of Arab rule.

Originally, the building had two floors and a "lonja" (porticoed hall) with a flat-beam ceiling. However, its current appearance is the result of a significant renovation carried out in the mid-20th century. During this intervention, the first floor was rebuilt and the original materials replaced with face bricks, arranged creatively to form decorative patterns that give it a distinctive look today.

On the ground floor lies the old jail, a space that forms part of the renowned Ruta de las Cárceles del Mezquín-Matarraña. This austere room had only a small window fitted with a wrought-iron grille, serving as its sole source of ventilation.

Today, the town hall (Casa Consistorial) of Torre de Arcas continues to be the epicentre of the municipal administration, keeping alive its historical function within the community.