Our town: La Fresneda

Find out everything you need about our place. Our history, our environment, images, where to buy local delicacies to make the most of your stay.

El Matarraña [Our place]
The ideal place for lovers of tranquility and bucolic landscapes, with medieval villages and beautiful fields full of centuries-old olive trees, almond trees in bloom, vineyards and ancient stone margins.
The region is bathed by various rivers, some of which are classified as the best preserved in Europe and in which bathing is allowed.
Excellent natural gastronomic products and a typical rural lifestyle make Matarraña the best Slow Tourism destination, where you can enjoy nature, history, heritage, culture and outdoor sports.
Our territory is Pure Mediterranean. www.matarranyaturismo.es

La Fresneda - History 

The town was conquered in 1,170 by Alfonso II and was part of the vast donation that the monarch made to the  Calatrava order. On December 14, 1283, by document signed in Zaragoza, King Pedro III granted La Fresneda the title of town. After the death of Carlos de Viana, in July 1462, the commander of La Fresneda, with the help of the local residents, attacked the town of Calaceite, a fervent supporter of the prince. That same year the encomiendas of Monrroyo and La Fresneda fought together with the forces of Juan II against the troops of Tortosa established in Cretas. In 1643, during the war of  redactado)">los Segadores, the troops opposed to Felipe IV of Castile besieged the town. During the War of Succession, in 1706, the town was in the hands of the Austrian army. During the first Carlist war, General Cabrera seized La Fresneda. At the end of 1839, Cabrera, before leaving La Fresneda, ordered the destruction of the castle and fortified buildings in order to prevent their use by the opposing troops.In 1911 the Republican Center of La Fresneda was established and five years later the Workers' Center was created, first attached to the Socialist Party and later independent. The owners, for their part, founded the Catholic Agricultural Union, in an attempt to weaken the workers' group.In 1918 the construction works of the Fresnedina Youth Home began. In 1923 the Workers' Center was closed by government order and it was not reopened until 1925. In 1929, the artistic group was created within the Centro Obrero. In 1931 the Workers' Center was controlled by the CNT and after the libertarian outbreak of 1933, on December 8, its premises were looted and it was very ruined. In 1936 La Fresneda remained faithful to the Republic and the revolutionary committee was constituted. The collectivization of the land was decreed and the abolition of the state currency, which was replaced by a local currency. At the end of the civil war, many people emigrated and guerrilla movements were registered between 1939-1947 (maquis) in the region.

La Fresneda Cultural Heritage - What to visit?

1. The Plaza Mayor is one of the most harmonious and beautiful architectural ensembles in all of Aragon, highlights the City Hall concluded in 1576 in the Gothic-Renaissance style, with a large fish market and its buildings from the 16th to 18th centuries. She was chosen by the filmmaker Vicente Aranda to shoot some scenes for his film Libertarias and also by Jesús Font (Life here). In 2009, a pilot episode was filmed for a television series, Damn you. From the Lonja you access a magnificent Main Street that leads to a crossroads to see the Palacio de la Encomienda ( s. XVI).
   
   
2. The old Convent of the Friars Minimos (16th century) is also interesting, where you can find peace, strolling through the pine forests of the Valley of Silence.
   
   
3. At the top of the town is located the Church of Santa María la Mayor (17th century), the Calatravo Castle and the ruins of the hermitage of Santa Bárbara, where the luni-solar observatory is also located from where you can witness wonderful exits of the Sun.

Images

Shopping - What to buy? - Where to buy? - The most outstanding products in the area

OILS, from ancient olive trees:
The Palace of the Encomienda
C/ Pilar 5 Tel: 978 854 078
Web: http://palaciodelaencomienda.com/index.htm
e-mail: infopalaciodelaencomienda.com
Handcrafted elaboration. Varieties: arbequina, picual and empeltre
Gift pack
Antiques

Molino de Gil
Cuesta del Pozo, s/n
Tel: 978 854 530
e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Freixneda Goat Cheeses
Ctra de La Portellada, s/n
Tel: 978 854 104
Web: http://www.freixnedacabra.com

CARNICERIAS, with their own homemade sausages of artisan elaboration:
Carnicería Ferrer
C/ Mayor, 25
Tel: 978 854 484
Fax: 978 854 377

Natural cosmetics “made in Matarraña”. The Matarrania firm is committed to olive oil from the area and wild herbs (www.matarrania.com).
Pure essence without water. www.matarrania.com/web/es Also available in our boutique.