Cella
NOT TO BE MISSED
The Cella fountain, the Roman Aqueduct and the Town Hall.
Complement your visit with:
At your way:
The noise of the silence – go to page
Going with the flow – go to page
Entrench:
Torrelacárcel / Singra. Búnker Cabezo Alto – go to page
Torrelacárcel, Forts – go to page
Celadas, Santa Bárbara Front – go to page
Andatela:
Path through Sierra Palomera (Torremocha) – go to page
Others:
Camino del Cid – www.caminodelcid.org
Greenway Sagunto – Ojos Negros – www.viasverdes.com
Services:
Inhabitants: 2578
Altitude: 1.023 m.
Demonym: Cellense.
Web page: www.cella.es
How to get there?
21 kilometres from Teruel on the A23 and the N234, turn off at 17 km on the local road. See Map
NATURAL HERITAGE
Sorrounding area of the river.
Carrascal mountain
Plain.
Laguna del Cañizar, located between Cella and Villarquemado. It is one of the largest freshwater wetlands in inland Spain. It was drained at the beginning of the 18th century, between 1729 and 1732, by means of drainage works directed by the Italian engineer Domingo Ferrari, who also reformed the main irrigation ditches and the stone parapet that currently surrounds the Cella fountain.
This enormous lake, covering an area of more than 11 km2, was located in the southwest of the province of Teruel, between the towns of Villarquemado, Cella and Santa Eulalia, although only the section between Villarquemado and Cella is currently being restored.
Until recently, the existence of the Laguna del Cañizar was barely known. Today a project is underway for its partial recovery with actions designed to improve the environment and create a natural attraction that generates economic income linked to rural and nature tourism.
“Ojo Podrido” spring. Spring that flows among corn crops.
Merenderos del Pozo Mosén Diego and El Raudal.
Routes:
Roman Aqueduct Trail: This is a trail that links Cella with the neighbouring town of Gea de Albarracín, following part of the route of the 1st century Roman Aqueduct that brought water from Albarracín to Cella. The path is 9.5 km long and the estimated walking time is 2.5 hours.
The Roman aqueduct starts from the vicinity of Albarracín to Cella. It is undoubtedly one of the most important public hydraulic works in the Iberian Peninsula, built in the 1st century AD.
This trail, which follows the route of the Roman aqueduct from Gea de Albarracín to Cella, shows us some very interesting sections of this construction. It starts from Gea along the track that leaves next to the cemetery and takes us to the spot known as the Cañada de Monterde, where the aqueduct begins its route at a considerable depth. Here we find some very well preserved galleries, which have been fitted out for a visit.
From this point the path ascends between the pits or vertical holes that gave air to the deep galleries until it reaches the last of these. Here it starts to descend, passing through fields of crops, until it reaches a secondary track and shortly afterwards a main track that we take to the right. After walking for 50 metres, turn left into a cereal-growing area.
We follow the path, guided by the signs, and pass in front of the Espliegar grazing land until we reach the remains of two pits of the Roman aqueduct, where a small panel explains how it works. In a few minutes, following the track, we reach the Tejería fountain, which provides us with fresh water in an area where we can rest or eat.
From here, we leave the track and continue along the Muñeca watercourse, which in less than 2 km brings us to several stretches of open-air aqueduct. Finally, we arrive at a rest area with a small covered area. From here, there are only a few meters left to reach Cella, entering through the same place as the aqueduct did, that is to say, through the threshing floors and their haystacks. This is a very interesting space as an example of different types of construction using the rammed earth technique.
Way of the Cid. Interprovincial route, which follows in the footsteps of the Cid, from the time he left exile in Vivar to Valencia. The route is based on the book “El Cantar del Mío Cid”, and consists of 10 sections, 4 branches and 5 rings. One section passes through the municipality of Cella, from Albarracín to Rubielos de Mora, both municipalities in the province of Teruel. In total, this section is 95 km long, passing through the following municipalities: Albarracín – Cella – Teruel – Mora de Rubielos – Rubielos de Mora.
Más información en www.caminodelcid.org
El camino del Santo Grial. This route is based on the itinerary that the Holy Chalice followed from the province of Huesca to the province of Valencia, where it is currently located. The route, which links the Pyrenees with the Mediterranean, starts in San Juan de la Peña and reaches Valencia, with a total distance of 518 km and a total of 23 stages. In the Region of Teruel, this route passes through the following municipalities and districts: Santa Eulalia del Campo – Villarquemado – Cella – Caudé – Concud – Teruel. The route in the Region of Teruel covers 30 kilometres.
Más información en www.elcaminodelsantogrial.com
Vía verde de Sagunto a Ojos Negros.This is a greenway that has been created following the route of the old mining road, which was used by the Sierra Menera Mining Company to transport ore from Ojos Negros to the Port of Sagunto. The route reaches the municipality of Ojos Negros, although there is only a track as far as Santa Eulalia. From there it is necessary to follow the railway line. From Sagunto to Cella there are 148 kilometres that can be covered on foot, by bicycle or on horseback (the Cella section is shared with other motor vehicles). This route connects the municipality of Santa Eulalia del Campo with that of the Holy Grail.
Más información sobre Vías Verdes en www.viasverdes.com
HISTORICAL AND CULTURAL HERITAGE
Fountain of Cella. Declared a Historic-Artistic Monument and an Asset of Cultural Interest. The Fuente de Cella is an artesian well between the permeable Jurassic and impermeable Triassic layers. It is considered the largest in Europe.
It was known around the 11th century, although it was not until 1729 when the Italian engineer Domingo Ferrari built the stonework parapet that surrounds it with a perimeter of 130 m, elliptical in shape, with a major axis of 35 m and a minor axis of 25 m, commissioned by the Audiencia de Aragón. It is 9 metres deep on the banks and 11.5 metres in the centre and has a flow of 6,700 cubic feet per minute (3,500 litres per second).
The cost of the work amounted to 13,000 Valencian pounds; the Caudo, Granja and Madre irrigation ditches meet at the fountain; next to it is a neoclassical chapel dedicated to San Clemente, its patron saint, dating from the same year as Ferrari’s engineering work.
In the surrounding area there is a recreational area and gardens.
Parish Church of La Inmaculada, 16th century. It has a beautiful Gothic façade and a Baroque interior, the result of a later remodelling. It conserves valuable altarpieces, a Mannerist one dedicated to San Sebastián, a silver monstrance, an excellent organ, a recently restored choir and the Gothic Virgin of “El Castillo”.
Town hall from 16th centory. A Historic-Artistic Monument. It was built in masonry and masonry, with a notable feature being the commodities exchange on the ground floor. Declared an Asset of Cultural Interest.
Hermitage of the Virgen del Loreto, 16th-17th century, with a beautiful Mannerist altarpiece. It was built in masonry and ashlar masonry, with a single nave covered with a star-shaped ribbed vault and an atrium with Tuscan columns and footings decorated with “eses” and a flower.
Hermitage of San Antonio.
Hermitage of San Clemente. Located next to the fountain.
Ermita of San Pedro Arbués,18th century. Built in masonry and stonework. It has one nave. After its restoration it was used as an exhibition hall.
Hermitage of San Sebastián, 16th century, patron saint of the municipality. It was restored and is used as a multi-purpose hall for concerts, talks, performances, etc.
The Hermitage of Las Granjas, 18th century. It was built with masonry and consists of a single nave covered with a half-barrel vault with lunettes. The floor plan is separated by two sections with a semicircular triumphal arch. Its exterior is very sober. Inside, it houses a canvas of the Holy Family from the 18th century.
Washhouse, from the beginning of the 20th century. Still in use today.
Refrigerator, 18th century.
Roman Aqueduct (Albarracín – Gea – Cella). It is one of the most important public hydraulic works in the Iberian Peninsula, built in the 1st century AD.
Cella was an important Roman and Arab enclave, of which numerous remains have been found, including cisterns. This aqueduct, which is almost 25 km long, initially runs alongside the Guadalaviar river, from which it takes its water, with a conduction that connects the galleries excavated in the rock with open-air canals. Web Page: www.centroacueductoromanogea.com
In the town center you can see ancestral homes.
FESTIVALS AND TRADITIONS
20 January, San Sebastián, patron saint of the town.
Holy Week. It is very active thanks to the Asociación Cultural de Tambores, Cornetas y Bombos “Hermandad de la Piedad” (Cultural Association of Drums, Bugles and Drummers “Hermandad de la Piedad”).
23 April, San Jorge, typical pilgrimage to Mount El Calvario. At the entrance to the hill, the Town Hall distributes bread, wine, juice and sardines to all those who attend.
15th May, Santa Rosina, patron saint of Cella.
In June, the pilgrimage of the Casa de Andalucía de Teruel to Cella is held. Fiesta rociera.
Third week of August, Fiestas Mayores in honour of San Clemente, patron saint of La Fuente. Release of bulls and heifers, open-air dances, etc.
LEGENDS
The Legend of Zaida: based on the story of the book “El Ángel de los Xilaos” by Ángel Aguirre. It tells the love story between the daughter of the lord of Cella and a young soldier. The lord of Albarracín wants to marry Zaida to his son and the young lovers decide to marry secretly. In the resolution of the plot, the character of the “Cid” intervenes.
The legend of the Fountain of Cella: It tells of the mysterious origin of its waters