A guide to Aragon in nothern Spain |
| Situated in the north-eastern part of the country, Aragon is a sparsely populated region neighbouring its old mate Castile and Leon to the west, Catalonia to the east, Valencia to the south, and the Pyrenees Mountains and France to the north. Most school children learn something of the old Spanish kingdom of Aragon, even if they do not attach much significance to it. One half of the royal couple that sponsored Christopher Columbus, King Ferdinand, was the monarch of Aragon. His youngest daughter, Catherine of Aragon, became the first wife of Henry VIII. As one half of the fusion of kingdoms that created our modern idea of Spain, Aragon is very much a part of the Spanish heartland.
Something of 15th Century Aragon continues to survive to this day, as old Aragonese continues to be spoken in the rugged north of the country. This area is dominated by the province and city of Huesca. It gives a good idea of how thinly populated the north of Aragon is that Huesca city is the smallest of all Spain's provincial centres, with a population barely scraping the 50,000 mark. However, for hikers and trekkers the area is a marvel, with good access to the pan-European trails going into, over, and across the Pyrennes. It is the gateway to Ordesa National Park, one of Spain's best. With opportunities to go canyoning, trekking, mountaineering and to explore the vineyards of the Somontano wine district, Huesca province in Aragon's rugged northlands is a choice destination for those seeking outdoor adventure. The old capital of Aragon is Zaragoza. It is by far the largest urban area in the region, with half of all modern Aragonese living in this one city. It was founded by the Roman Emperor Augustus, and has on display ruins and buildings covering all the years of the intervening two millennia: a Roman amphitheatre, forum and baths; the Moorish Aljafería Palace; the Gothic Catedral de la Seo; and the city's many pleasant modern parks and fountains. The countryside surrounding the city have yet more examples of historical buildings, with a pair of Cistercian monasteries from the Romanic period, and a third monastery dating to the 12th Century. There are also plentiful examples of the Mudejar style of architecture, the product of a fusion of Christian and Moorish styles, derived from the name for Muslims who remained in Spain after the Reconquista. Lovers of history and ancient architecture will find plenty to occupy their imagination in Zaragoza. It also enjoys a central location, serving as something of a crossroads between Barcelona, Bilbao, Madrid, and Valencia, making it a logical stop while taking in greater Spain. Tourists seeking to see Aragon specifically will find this their main entry point, as it is home to the region's major airport and is serviced by Ryan Air. Food in Aragon reflects the region's colonization by Castile to a certain extent. Tapas is available just about everywhere, and the people love their lamb and ham (the ham from Teruel is reputed to be the best in the region). But there are regional peculiarities that visitors should try to sample, such as the Aragonese taste for borages and their frequent use of sweet onions. Various pastes of deviled crab are also common fixtures on Aragonese menus, as local superstition believes crab meat is good for warding off illnesses. One could say in Aragon that "a crab a day keeps the doctor away." When it comes to fish, the Aragonese style is to steam it in seawater, producing an intensely briny flavour. If you are one of those who thinks of eating raw oysters as "tasting the sea," then this style of fish-cooking will suit you very well indeed. Once at the centre of Spain, modern Aragon is a sometimes sleepy region that enjoys some of the best historical monuments and nature sites to be found in that country. Laying off the beaten tourist path and under-populated, it makes for the ideal destination for travellers seeking to beat the crowds or take in a little quiet solitude on their holiday. |
| For a list of hotels in the area of Aragon please click HERE |
