The project was commissioned to solve the functional isolation of the train station, which was situated significantly lower than the city's main historical plateau.
Architect José Torán de la Rad utilized industrial materials of the era, such as iron and cement, but concealed them behind traditional brick and ceramic masonry to maintain aesthetic harmony.
The central sculptural relief is carved from white stone and provides a visual narrative of the tragic romance between Diego de Marcilla and Isabel de Segura.
The stair complex incorporates an integrated lighting system that was considered highly innovative for public infrastructure in early 20th-century Spain.
The structure acts as a retaining wall for the Paseo del Óvalo, stabilizing the edge of the limestone plateau upon which the old city is built.
The Escalinata del Óvalo is a neo-Mudéjar architectural landmark in Teruel, Spain, designed to connect the upper city center with the railway station located in the lower valley. Constructed between 1920 and 1921 by engineer José Torán de la Rad, the structure serves as a grand urban entrance to the city. It features a central relief sculpture by Aniceto Marinas depicting the famous legend of the Lovers of Teruel. The design incorporates decorative brickwork, glazed ceramic tiles, and iron lamp posts characteristic of the regional Mudéjar-inspired revival style. The stairway consists of two wide flights that converge around a central fountain and decorative garden beds. It functions as a pedestrian thoroughfare, effectively bypassing the steep topography between the train tracks and the Paseo del Óvalo.
The lower landing looking upwards, capturing both the central relief of the Lovers of Teruel and the geometric symmetry of the stairs.
Walk the full length from the bottom to the top to appreciate the changing perspective of the city gates and the surrounding valley.
Use the staircase as a vantage point for early evening views when the structure's built-in lights emphasize the textured brickwork.
Check the base of the stairs for local signage, which provides historical context on the urban planning challenges of Teruel in the 1920s.
Attempting to climb the stairs with heavy luggage; use the nearby elevator connection if carrying heavy bags from the train station.
