Page 233 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Spain

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ARAGÓN

Zaragoza • Huesca • Teruel

Stretching almost half the length of Spain, and
bisected by the Ebro, one of the country’s longest
rivers, Aragón takes in a wide variety of scenery, from
the snowcapped summits of Ordesa National Park in
the Pyrenees to the dry plains of the Spanish interior.
This largely unsung and undervisited region contains
magnificent Mudéjar architecture and many
unspoiled medieval towns.

From the 12th to 15th cen turies Aragón outstanding examples in the cities of
was a powerful kingdom, or (more Teruel and the capital, Zaragoza, Spain’s
accurately) a federation of states, including fifth­largest city, which stands on the
Catalonia. In its heyday, in the 13th banks of the Ebro.
century, its dominions stretched across The highest peaks of the Pyrenees lie
the Mediter ranean as far as Sicily. By his in Huesca province. Some of the region’s
marriage to Isabel of Castile and León in finest sights are in the Pyrenean foothills,
1469, Fernando II of Aragón paved the which are crossed by the Aragonese
way for the unification of Spain. variation of the pilgrims’ route to Santiago
After the Reconquest, Muslim archi tects de Compostela. Probably the most spec­
and craftsmen were treated more toler­ tacular of them is the monastery of San
antly here than elsewhere, and they Juan de la Peña – half­concealed beneath
continued their work in the distinctive a rock overhang – which was founded in
Mudéjar style, building with elaborate the 9th century.
brickwork and patterned ceramic The climate of the region varies as
decoration. Their work can be seen in much as the landscape: winters can be
churches all over Aragón and there are long and harsh and summers hot.

A view of the rooftops and medieval walls of Daroca
Moorish arches inside the Aljafería Palace, Zaragoza

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