The Mausoleum of the Lovers of Teruel holds the most emblematic love story of Marcilla and Segura in Spain. The Mausoleum of the Teruel Lovers is located in Lovers Square, next to the Church of San Pedro.
In the story of Marcilla and Segura, which took place in 1217, Diego and Isabel were both descendants of noble and influential families. The relationship between the two youngsters did not convince Isabel’s family because Juan Diego was not the firstborn and therefore had no valuable properties.
Diego requested five years to get richer and finally have the means to ask the hand of his beloved Isabel. His request was granted, and Diego went to war, searching for the promised fortune.
When Diego returned to Teruel, the five-year deadline had expired. Isabel, oppressed by her father, was married to a nobleman in the city. On the wedding day between Isabel and her fiancé, Diego managed to meet with his ladylove Isabel at her house and requested a kiss, which she promptly denied. Devastated because she rejected the kiss, Deigo falls dead at her feet.
The next day, a funeral is held for Diego in the Church of San Pedro de Teruel. During the funeral, a mourning Isabel comes near Diego’s body. She reaches down his face to give him the kiss she denied while he was alive. She does so but suddenly takes a deep breath and passes away on her lover’s body. Since then, both lovers’ bodies have been buried in the Church of San Pedro.
Since many people came across Spain to see the mummies of Lovers of Teruel, these mummies were exhumed and put into two new tombs sculpted by Juan de Ávalos. The tombs by Juan de Ávalos are carved out of marble and bear the family shields of Marcilla and Segura, but the most attractive part of these tombs are their lids. The lids are exquisitely carved: one features the strong and handsome Diego, his arm outstretched, reaching for his love Isabel – his hand comes close to touching her, but because of religious righteousness, they do not feel (since Isabel was married).
