Getaways and things to do in La Tranquera Reservoir

The La Tranquera Reservoir impounds the Piedra River at the westernmost edge of the Calatayud region, between Nuévalos, Carenas, and Ibdes, in the province of Zaragoza. The dam, a concrete gravity structure, was completed in 1960 to regulate irrigation in the Jalón valley, and today it holds a water volume of approximately 84 cubic hectometers and 536 hectares, managed by the Ebro Hydrographic Confederation.

What makes La Tranquera special is the landscape. The water occupies a limestone canyon of the Sistema Ibérico and takes on a blue-green color that, on still days, reflects the rock cliffs and the riparian vegetation—poplars, aspens, and ash trees—with mirror-like clarity. The reservoir stretches in narrow arms between the walls, and navigating it or walking along its shores feels somewhat like an inland fjord, a type of landscape uncommon deep inland.

Less than three kilometers away lies the Monasterio de Piedra, one of Aragon's great attractions: an ancient Cistercian monastery surrounded by a park of waterfalls where the Piedra River plunges through grottos and leaps, with the 50-meter Cola de Caballo being its most iconic feature. This proximity has turned the reservoir's surroundings into a destination for nature and heritage getaways.

In the water, one can swim during the summer and practice non-motorized navigation—kayaking, canoeing, sailing, and windsurfing—freely, using one's own equipment. It is also a highly valued reservoir for fishermen: its waters yield carp, barbel, black bass, and pikeperch, and fishing is permitted with a license from the Autonomous Community of Aragon.

The setting is completed by small stone villages. Nuévalos, situated on the Piedra River, preserves remains of its medieval castle, linked to the Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Calatayud since 1156 and famous for having withstood the siege of Pedro I of Castile during the War of the Two Peters. Around it, the region gathers Mudéjar heritage, wineries from the Calatayud Denominación de Origen, and a simple mountain cuisine, with charcoal-grilled meat as the signature dish.