Valderrobres Facts for Kids

Valderrobres (pronounced Val-deh-ROH-bres) or Vall-de-roures (in Catalan) is a beautiful town in Spain. It is the main town of the Matarraña area, located in the province of Teruel in the Aragon region. The town sits by the Matarranya River, which is a smaller river that flows into the larger Ebro River. Valderrobres is nestled among the hills of the Ports de Tortosa-Beseit mountains.

This charming town is famous for its old buildings, including a Gothic church called Santa Maria, a grand Gothic castle, and a Renaissance-style town hall. A famous singer named Elvira de Hidalgo was born here in 1891.

People in Valderrobres speak a special kind of Catalan dialect, which is similar to Valencian. This area is considered part of "La Franja" by Catalan speakers, which means "The Strip" of land where Catalan is spoken in Aragon. The name Valderrobres means "Valley of the Oaks," because there used to be many oak trees here. However, today you will mostly find Aleppo pine and black pine trees in the forests around the town, along with some Evergreen oak trees.

Quick facts for kids

Valderrobres/Vall-de-roures

Coat of arms

Valderrobres

Location in Aragon

Valderrobres

Location in Spain

Municipality

Valderrobres

Area

• Total

124.04 km² (47.89 sq mi)

Elevation

508 m (1,667 ft)

Population

(2018)

• Total

2,388

Time zone

UTC+1 (CET)

• Summer (DST)

UTC+2 (CEST)

History of Valderrobres
Nature and Landscape
- The Matarranya River
- Local Forests and Trees
Culture and Language
- Catalan Dialect
Photo gallery
See also

History of Valderrobres

Valderrobres has a long and interesting history. Its important buildings show how the town grew over many centuries.

The Castle of Valderrobres

The Valderrobres Castle is a magnificent example of Gothic architecture. It was built between the 14th and 15th centuries. The castle was once a palace for the archbishops of Zaragoza, who were powerful religious leaders. It sits high up, looking over the town and the river.

The Church of Santa Maria

Next to the castle is the Church of Santa Maria. This church is also built in the Gothic style and is very impressive. It was constructed around the same time as the castle, showing the importance of the town during the Middle Ages.

The Town Hall

The town hall building is from the Renaissance period, which came after the Gothic era. This building shows a different style of architecture, with more balanced and classical designs. It is where the local government of Valderrobres operates.

Nature and Landscape

Valderrobres is surrounded by beautiful natural scenery, making it a great place for outdoor activities.

The Matarranya River

The Matarranya River is a key feature of the town's landscape. It flows right through Valderrobres, adding to its charm. The river is a tributary of the Ebro River, one of Spain's longest rivers.

Local Forests and Trees

Even though the town's name means "Valley of the Oaks," the most common trees you'll find in the forests around Valderrobres are:

Aleppo pine: These pines are well-suited to the Mediterranean climate.
Black pine: Another type of pine tree found in the area.
Evergreen oak: Also known as holm oak, these trees keep their leaves all year round.

Culture and Language

The culture of Valderrobres is unique, especially because of its language.

Catalan Dialect

In Valderrobres, people speak a special dialect of Catalan. This dialect is part of the "Western Catalan" group and is very similar to the Valencian dialect spoken in the nearby region of Valencia. This makes Valderrobres a part of a cultural area known as "La Franja," where Catalan is spoken in Aragon.