Teruel is the capital
of Teruel Province in Spain. The city had around 28 000 inhabitants
as indicated by the results of a 1996 census. Teruel is known for
its traditions in pottery making, its delectable cured ham and sadly,
its somewhat unpleasant climate. Teruel is situated at an altitude
of 915 m. Its remote, mountainous location has resulted in isolation
and a gradual population drop. After a campaign for greater recognition
of the city was launched in 1999 transport connections to Teruel improved.
This was largely due to the construction of a motorway between the
cities of Sagunto and Zaragoza. The city still isn’t connected
to Madrid by rail. It is the only Spanish provincial capital in this
situation.
The city’s Islamic heritage is evident within its historical
quarter. The so-called Mudejar Architecture of Aragon, comprised of
four churches (Cathedral of Santa Maria de Mediavilla, Churches of
San Pedro, San Martin and of the Savior), was listed as a UNESCO World
Heritage Site in 1986. Of these buildings the city’s opulent
cathedral is the most notable. San Pedro church houses the mummified
corpses of Diego Mansilla and Isabel Segura, a poor man and wealthy
woman whose love ended tragically. This legend is an important part
of the city’s history. It has inspired many writers and composers,
as well as the annual Las Bodas de Isabel Segura festival in February.
The day of the festival is a public holiday in Teruel. People go out
in the streets, dance, sing and celebrate.
Another attraction in Teruel is the statue of a bull atop a massive
column, located in the main square of the city. It is called El Torico
(small bull) in Aragonese.
Dinopolis Teruel, an amusement park and museum centering around the
theme of dinosaurs, can be found on the outskirts of the city. The
park features a life-size Tyrannosaurus rex model and other attractions.
Dinopolis owns three other museums nearby, which exhibit remains of
dinosaurs found in the region.
Climatic peculiarities aside, Teruel boasts splendid scenery –
lush valleys, imposing mountain ridges and vast plains.
Annual events in Teruel include the Easter Meeting of the city’s
historic seven brotherhoods in April, St. Christopher's Day on July
10th (in honor of the patron saint of the city), an international
festival of folklore in August and a unique gastronomic event, the
Cured Ham fair, in September.
Teruel boasts a diverse real estate market, with a wide range of properties
available in the urban as well as the greater area. There are interesting
rustic properties and antique villas. Teruel is just an hour away
from Valencia airport. There is a new project for a freeway from Cuenca
to Madrid, which will benefit the city. Developments in the field
of infrastructure are carried out with consideration to tourism and
the environment. Property costs in Teruel have not dropped in the last three decades. There
have been some periods of stagnation, but no price reduction. Since
1976 the nominal price of a house has multiplied by 16. Therefore,
an investment in a permanent or holiday residence in Teruel is quite
a safe prospect.
The city of Cuenca is located in the central part of Spain. It is
the capital of Cuenca province, which is part of the autonomous Castile-La
Mancha community. Its population is around 48 000. The city’s
medieval town is a fascinating area to explore. Here you will discover
traces of Cuenca’s rich history. Cuenca is classified as a UNESCO
World Heritage site. It is renowned for its so-called suspended houses
on the edge of the ravine of the Huecar River. The city boasts a fascinating
blend of natural formations and man-made constructions. In autumn
the scenery is at its best with a mix of red, yellow and green colors
in the gorges of the two rivers that flow through the city (Huecar
and Jucar).
The city is home to a number of interesting museums, of which the
Museum of Spanish Abstract Art is a highlight. Another landmark is
Cuenca Cathedral in the neo-Gothic style.
A three-storey, four-bedroom house in the urban area of Cuenca costs
€108.000. A four-bedroom house on one floor, situated on the
outskirts of the city, comes relatively cheap at €84.000.
