Discover Illueca

Illueca combines a prominent historic building with church art, a distinctive old town and a designated hiking route. If you are looking for a destination with cultural and historical appeal, the Castillo-Palacio del Papa Luna and the Church of San Juan Bautista offer different points of interest. For time outdoors, the Ruta Papa Luna takes centre stage, with specific information on distance and elevation gain.

Castillo-Palacio del Papa Luna

The Castillo-Palacio del Papa Luna stands on Illueca’s highest hill. It is protected as a Bien de Interés Cultural in the Monument category; on 3 June 1931, a decree had already declared it a historic-artistic monument. The building features Mudéjar, Renaissance and Baroque elements. These different styles are among the architectural aspects that shape the way the castle-palace is viewed.

The ceremonial halls are also part of its history: since summer 2000, they have housed a permanent exhibition about Benedict XIII, Papa Luna. The same building therefore offers two distinct points of interest: its architecture and an exhibition about the historical figure after whom it is named.

Church of San Juan Bautista and Old Town

The first phase of construction of the Church of San Juan Bautista dates to the early 15th century. It comprised a Mudéjar building with a pentagonal apse and a single-nave floor plan. Inside, you can see carved stucco work with Mudéjar-inspired motifs, designed by Juan de Marca. This links the building’s architectural history with specific details of its interior.

Another work of art in the church is the Santa Orosia altarpiece: a restored Baroque trompe-l’œil altarpiece tentatively attributed to Jerónimo Secano. This tentative attribution should be distinguished from the altarpiece’s features: its Baroque character and trompe-l’œil design stand independently of the attribution.

Illueca’s streetscape is also part of its historic character. The old town has a Jewish-Muslim-influenced layout, with numerous bends in its streets. The focus is therefore not only on individual buildings, but also on the course of the streets. The town’s architectural history also includes an 18th-century Baroque building with three storeys. The upper floor had wooden openings that are now bricked up; the building’s wooden eaves are another distinctive feature.

Shoemaking is another part of Illueca’s history. Its origins date back to the 17th century, when there were three tanneries on the Río Aranda. This is a distinct aspect of the town’s history alongside its buildings and works of art, and adds its craft heritage to the picture of Illueca.

The Ruta Papa Luna as a hiking option

The PR-Z 73 “Ruta Papa Luna” is listed as a Sendero Turístico de Aragón. This circular hiking route is 23.7 kilometres long, with 950 metres of ascent and 950 metres of descent. It starts at the car park by Illueca’s sports centre and swimming pools.

The route first follows the Vía Verde along the Río Aranda and then heads towards the Sierra de la Virgen. The route thus takes in two different landscapes: a stretch alongside the river and the onward path to the Sierra. Its combination of a circular route, specified distance and elevation gain clearly distinguishes this hiking option from a stay focused on Illueca’s historic buildings.

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