The truffle Black of Aragon, known as the “black diamond” of gastronomy, has become one of the most valued products inside and outside our borders. Its intense aroma and unmistakable flavor have placed it as an essential ingredient in Michelin star kitchens, but also as an economic engine in rural areas of Teruel, where much of its production is concentrated.
Neither France nor Italy: the world capital of the black truffle is in Teruel
In that map, Sarrión occupies a privileged place. This small Turolense municipality, located in the region of Gúdar-Javalambre, is known worldwide as the capital of the black truffle, with thousands of hectares dedicated to the cultivation of tuber melanosporum and has an interpretation center dedicated to the truffle.
Sarrión also offers a beautiful urban center where to admire the door of Teruel, of those of the old walls, declared as a good of cultural interest.
Trufa Interpretation Center: Tuber Universum
What to do and what to do in Sarrión
Route of defensive positions of the Civil War
Sarrión Battle Interpretation Center
Fitruf: The Black Trufa International Fair
Trufa Interpretation Center: Tuber Universum
The Trufa Interpretation Center is distributed in several different but interconnected spaces, allowing a fluid and structured experience for the visitor. Both the entrance and the output are made by the same point, so it is essential to have an area of reception or control that properly channels the flow of people and offers guidance during the visit.
The Trufa Interpretation Center offers a fluid and structured experience for the visitor. Photo: Aragon Tourism
The exhibition is traveled anti -Horary, an choice that responds to the architectural design of the building and that allows to make the most of each available corner. The exhibition elements are clear and accessible, which facilitates their reading and understanding without interference, offering a complete experience and adapted to the visitor.
In summer, from June 20 to September 22, the schedule changes: Wednesday to Saturday opens from 9.30 am to 2 pm and from 3 pm to 7 pm, while on Sundays the center remains open from 10 am to 2 pm and from 4 pm to 6 pm. The Trufa Interpretation Center also opens during the winter from Wednesday to Saturday from 9.30 am to 2 pm and from 3 pm to 18.45 hours, and on Sundays from 9.30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. and from 3:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
With general character the price of the individual admission will be 3 euros for over 12 years, the reduced entrance is 2 euros and free admission for children under 5 years.
What to do and what to do in Sarrión
Besides, Sarrión You have much more to offer during all times of the year.
MONTERDE HOUSE
The Monterde house, located next to the emblematic Portal de Teruel (former door of the wall of Sarrión), is a magnificent example of civil architecture of the 16th -XVII century in masonry views.
The visit is part of the full tour of the urban area that also includes the Civil War and Tuberuniversum interpretation center, thematic facilities on the black truffle, offered from Wednesday to Sunday.
On Sundays, at 10.30 hours, visits are made for groups (minimum 5 people), with an approximate duration of 2,5 hours and a price of 3euros per person.
Blood hermitage of Christ
It is the former parish church of Sarrión, considered one of the oldest in the entire province of Teruel. It has its origin in the thirteenth century and represents a valuable example of religious architecture in Romanesque transition to Gothic style. Over the centuries, the building has experienced various reforms, being especially relevant to the end of the fourteenth century, when the temple was reoriented and its original structure was redefined.
The current aspect of the hermitage responds largely to the integral reconstruction made in the 1990s, after being for years in ruin. Today, it is one of the most representative spaces of Sarrión’s historical heritage and a key point on its monumental route.
It can be visited even if it does not have a fixed opening schedule. Access is usually available during religious celebrations, especially in Easter week, and in cultural events organized by the City Council or the brotherhood.
Route of defensive positions of the Civil War
On the outskirts of Sarrión, in the Sierra de Javalambre, a valuable set of fortifications belonging to the Spanish Civil War (1936-1939) is preserved. The known as the route of the defensive positions allows to travel trenches, bunkers, machine gun, squad coats and command stalls built by both sides during the conflict. The layout, between 9 and 11 kilometers, is marked and can be done on foot, by bicycle or by car, combining nature and historical memory. Many of these remains have been restored and have interpretive panels that explain their function, strategic location and war context.
On the outskirts of Sarrión, a set of fortifications belonging to the Spanish Civil War is preserved. Photo: Sarrión City Council
This tour not only offers a direct look at military heritage, but also allows you to enjoy Sarrión’s natural environment, with a view to the valleys that once had a high strategic value. The route crosses areas such as the Barranco de la Hoz or the green -eyed green road, integrating history and hiking into a unique environment. It is a perfect activity for those who seek to know closely the vestiges of the civil war in Aragon and understand the key role that this area played in the defense of the Front of Teruel.
Sarrión Battle Interpretation Center
To complement the route through the trenches, Sarrión has a modern interpretation center of the battle of Sarrión, located in the old water tank in the municipality. This museum space offers an immersive experience in which the visitor can relive the most relevant episodes of the conflict in the area, especially the battles freed in 1938. Through audiovisuals, original objects, recovered armament, explanatory tools and panels, local history is reconstructed in the broadest context of the Spanish civil war.
The center not only seeks to inform, but also excite and generate reflection on the consequences of war. Museography is designed for all types of audiences, with accessible resources and educational content. In addition, its high location offers a panoramic view that helps to understand why Sarrión was a key point in the defense of the Levante front. The combination of this visit with the outdoor route makes Sarrión an essential destination for cultural and memory tourism in Aragon.
More Royo and the port
In the surroundings of Sarrión, the places of more Royo and the port stand out as natural jewels thanks to its old holm oaks and sabinares in perfect condition, distributed along the riverbed of the Mijares River. Both springs, emerging in opposite margins of the river, maintain a similar flow derived from the snow and rains of the Sierra de Javalambre, even regulated by small dams that ensure a constant flow, essential for a local hydroelectric mini.
The place of the port, of thermal origin, is characterized by a mountainous environment dotted with holm oaks, pines, sabinas and oaks, in addition to hosting emblematic avifauna such as wild boars, corzos, wolves, real Águilas and wisned vultures. The most Royo, meanwhile, offers a serene landscape conducive to walks, low impact hiking and nature observation activities. Both sites are connected to hiking trails that pass through the ladder and other points of interest, offering an almost virgin experience and highly valued by those who seek authentic contact with the rural environment in Aragon.
Fitruf: The Black Trufa International Fair
Every year, at the beginning of December, Sarrión (Teruel), considered the world capital of the black truffle Tuber melanosporum, hosts Fitruf, the Trufa International Fair. This monographic event, which is generally held in December, brings together more than 40 exhibitors specialized in fresh truffle and derivative gourmet products.
For three intense days, Sarrión’s fairgrounds deploys a program full of technical and informative activities. They highlight presentations on advances in truffle, talks about pest control and sustainable cultivation, in addition to the traditional truffle and quality truffle contest, whose beneficial auction in favor of the AECC is every year one of its stellar moments.
Sarrión is considered the world capital of the black truffle. Photo: Aragon Tourism
Attendees can live truffle search demonstrations with dogs, children’s competitions and practical exhibitions in the field adjacent to the enclosure. Gastronomy also takes on great prominence: temperatures can rise to 1500euros /kg in the middle of the fair, but in the exhibitors they are offered tapas made with fresh truffle at popular prices (3–4 euros), created by the Sarrión Women’s Association.
In addition, Fitruf reserves spaces for activities with limited capacity: tastings guided by prestigious sommeliers such as Raúl Equal, Technical Days such as ‘Trufforum’, and sensory workshops for fans and professionals. The presence of agricultural machinery companies, viveristas and solution suppliers for cultivation (irrigation, control, mycorrization) also convert the event into a commercial and technical platform.
How to get to Sarrión
From Saragossa
To get to Sarrión from Zaragoza, the most direct route is on the A-23 highway (Mudejar Highway) in southern direction. The journey is about 145 kilometers and is traveling in approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes by car.
From Huesca
From Huesca, the tour of Sarrión requires first to take the A-23 in a south direction to Zaragoza (approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes) and then continue on the same highway to Teruel and Sarrión. In total, the journey adds about 3 hours of car trip.
From Teruel
From the city of Teruel, Sarrión is only 45 kilometers, also by the A-23 in the southern direction, which is a journey of just 35 minutes by car. This proximity makes Sarrión a usual getaway for Turolenses, especially during events such as the Fitruf fair or visits to the natural and patrimonial environment of the municipality.
