Samper de Calanda
Samper de Calanda is built on the right bank of the river Martín, very near the railroad line connecting Saragossa and Barcelona, which has an unstaffed station in the town.
From afar we can make out the huge bulk of the parish church of El Salvador, a monumental building from the 18th century with three naves and five sections, a transept crowned by a large dome on pendentives, which is very noticeable from the outside, and two towers, one on each side of the facade.
Once inside the city centre, with its intertwined streets that create a medieval atmosphere, it is a good idea to take a walk around the district of los Alamines, which has managed to preserve the architectural style of the area. A sign indicates the way to the chapel of el Calvario and Saint Quiteria, which are east of the town.
The hill of el Calvario towers above the land and offers a view of the border line which separates irrigated land from dry land. Its baroque building holds a permanent exhibition devoted to Easter celebrations in Bajo Aragón. Very close, in a lovely spot, we find the chapel of Saint Quiteria, which is regarded as the main sanctuary in the area, as that is the destination for some of the most important rogations in the county.
Besides the main holidays, which take place during August, Easter is celebrated in Samper de Calanda with the rumbling sound of drums and bass drums.
