Between Zaragoza and Teruel is the green Jiloca Valley, where the sound of water from a spring resonates with karst walls covered in moss, small caves and a stream of water that falls like tears from the mountain. However, the Aguallueve is not the only gem that hides a valley that narrows on the road that leads to a perfectly restored farmhouse full of history.
We are talking about Anento, a small town just an hour from the Aragonese capital and whose medieval heritage stands out for having survived perfectly preserved to this day. It is not surprising that in 2025 a decade has passed since it entered the network of the Most Beautiful Towns in Spain, a recognition of what it really is.
Aragon tourism
The most sculptural corner of Aragon
The entrance to Anento already prepares the traveler for what is to come. Before even seeing the first roof, one of the most unique corners of Aragon appears: the Aguallueve. The route that leads to it is so easy and accessible that it allows the whole family to discover it. The spring is a natural spectacle that changes with the season.
The water falls down the rock and moss walls forming thin curtains that, with the right light, look like threads of glass. In winter, the drops freeze, creating an almost sculptural landscape. At the foot of the waterfall, a pond stores the water that irrigates the surrounding orchards because here nature is not a decoration, it sustains the daily life of the area's inhabitants.
Around the trail there are also small caves formed by the erosion of the relief and, for those who want to extend the walk, secondary paths that lead to both the castle and the Celtiberian tower of San Cristóbal.
Anento Town Hall
The medieval town that recovered its voice
All this, however, is just the prologue. When you arrive at the urban center, the first thing that surprises you is its careful aesthetic coherence. Nothing clashes, nothing seems improvised. The houses, restored following traditional architecture, are arranged in steep and narrow streets, full of small squares, pointed arches and corners from another time.
The church of San Blas, Romanesque from the 13th century, is a mandatory stop. Don't be fooled by its sober exterior because it hides an interior that leaves you speechless. Its monumental Gothic altarpiece is one of the most important in Aragonese heritage and remains in the same place where it was installed almost five hundred years ago.
The walk continues uphill to the 14th century castle. Dominating the valley, it offers a panoramic view that brings together the best of the town and its surroundings in a postcard. Although only part of the wall and two twin towers remain, the structure maintains its imposing air. It is not difficult to imagine what the siege of 1357 must have been like, when the Castilian troops set fire to the village but without making the fortress surrender. An episode that is relived every July at the Medieval Days, one of the most careful and special cultural events in the entire region.
Tourism Aragon
A decade shining on the list of the most beautiful towns
Being one of the Most Beautiful Towns in Spain may sound like a tourist label, but in Anento it is the recognition of a slow, communal and well thought-out recovery process. At the end of the 20th century, this municipality was on the verge of emptying, like so many others in the interior. Today, however, it has more than a hundred inhabitants, has businesses, rural accommodation, a hostel, a restaurant, a tourist office with a souvenir shop and a constant flow of visitors looking for what abounds here: calm and authenticity.
So, the fact that it has resurfaced without falling into overexploitation also has merit. The town has known how to preserve its heritage without turning it into a decoration. Traditional urban planning remains alive, the rehabilitation has been respectful and nature continues to occupy its central place. All of this has allowed the popularity of the town to grow without losing its essence.
Anento is a small but intense destination. It does not require big plans, but it offers a combination that is difficult to find. From being able to hike through the valley to discovering world-class medieval heritage, including its fortress with stunning views. From Zaragoza it barely takes an hour to get there, and three from Madrid. The parking available at the entrance, clear signage of the routes and the possibility of staying in rural houses facilitate both a day and weekend visit.
Tourism Aragon
It's a small place, yes. But also one of those destinations that justify a trip just to remember what we are really looking for when we travel: a beautiful, well-kept place with a story that deserves to be heard.
Cover photo | Miguel Rubira Garcia
