The autonomous community of Aragon (Aragon, Arago) is located in the extreme north-east of Spain, where the border with France runs along the Pyrenees. This is the land of majestic mountains, picturesque lakes, fertile valleys and fast-flowing rivers, one of which gave the region its name. The climate of Aragon is of a transitional type from Mediterranean to continental with pronounced mountain zoning. On average, the daily temperature in the highlands is 10°C lower than in the valleys.

During its centuries-old history, Aragon turned from a small county within Navarre in the IX century. to a powerful medieval kingdom controlling the western Mediterranean from the Balearic Islands to Sicily and Naples. At the end of the XV century. the marriage union of the ruling houses of Aragon and Castile and León marked the beginning of the history of modern Spain.

Northern Aragon is the original province of Huesca, where Aragonese is still spoken. In the city of Huesca, the center of the province, you can witness colorful celebrations on the day of the national holiday in honor of St. Lawrence, and in Jaca, the first capital of Aragon, inspect the city fortifications. Here are the most popular ski centers of the country: Formigal and Kandanku-Astun. In the east of the province is the Ordesa National Park and the country's highest mountain peaks: Aneto (3,404 m) and Perdido (3,355 m).

Most of the central province of Zaragoza is occupied by the Aragonese lowland, which is crossed by the majestic Ebro. Near the border with Catalonia in its valley lies the vast Mekinen reservoir, 110 km long, often called the Sea of ​​Aragon.

The capital of the province and Aragon, one of the largest cities in Spain, Zaragoza, over the 2000 years of its history has become a real “piggy bank” of architectural treasures: there are more than 200 palaces here. unforgivable act. Near Zaragoza there are 6 balneological resorts, the healing properties of the waters of the sources of which were known in the early Middle Ages.

The coldest and sparsely populated province of the country, Teruel, is located in the south of Aragon, on the Meseta highlands, surrounded by the Sierra de Gudar and El Maestrasco mountain systems. The appearance of the historical center of Teruel, the main city of the province, is characterized by the Mudéjar style, which is a kind of synthesis of Gothic and Moorish architecture.

The autonomous community of Aragon (Aragon, Arago, the name comes from the name of the Rio Aragon) lies in the northern part of Spain, stretching in a long strip from 40 degrees north latitude to the border with France (on the Spanish side, its neighbors are Castile - La Mancha, Castile and León, Catalonia, La Rioja, Navarre and Valencia). This is one of the most diverse regions of Spain in terms of its natural conditions - in the south it extends into the Meseta highlands, in the center it crosses the wide Ebro valley, and in the north it is supported by the Sierra de Guara and the Pyrenees with their peaks Aneto (3404 m), Monte Perdido (3355m), Perdigero (3221m) and Pose (3375m). It is through the Aragonese part of the Pyrenees that the only direct highway through the mountains passes - the Zaragoza route - the Somport Pass - Pau (France). And it is here that the "greenest" reserves of Spain are located - the national parks of Ordesa and Monte Perdido, recently merged into one large protected area.

The ethnology of the region is quite common for Spain - Aragonese, Catalans, Basques and even the French live here - more than 40 peoples in total. The official language is Castilian (the local version has many characteristic Aragonese word forms), but Aragonese and Catalan are widely used.

The climatic conditions are just as diverse - the mountains noticeably change the rather warm local weather, giving it a number of features of a continental climate (winter in most regions of Aragon is on average 7 degrees colder than in Madrid).

The capital of the autonomous region - the city lies almost in the center of Aragon. This is the fifth largest city in Spain, almost half of the one and a half million people of Aragon live here, and 60% of all goods in the region are produced.

The city (the least known of the Aragonese capitals) is located in the foothills of the Pyrenees, in an area that strikes with its unusual beauty.

Ridges all around Sierra de Guara- low (highest point - Punton de Guara, 2078 m) mountains, since 1990 protected as a natural park. There are no particularly rich natural complexes here - the vegetation is low and often simply scarce. But in the spurs of the mountains, there are many picturesque gorges, prehistoric caves with rock paintings and attractive mountain villages. This is the main center of canyon hiking not only in Spain - many fans of outdoor activities come here from France and other European countries, and many caves are protected as historical monuments. In the most southeastern part of the mountain range lies the town Alquezar(Alquesra in Aragonese) is the gate of the park and the most developed tourist center of the region. The characteristic arched lanes of Alquezar date from at least the 8th century, as does the Moorish citadel over the Rio Vero. The Christians stormed the town in 1064, and at the beginning of the 12th century they built the beautiful church of the Colegiata de Santa Maria la Mayor (restored in 2007) inside the fortress. The path from the citadel leads down to the river and the Puente de Villacantal, one of the most picturesque ancient bridges of the Sierra. The nearby villages of Colugno, Lesina and town are also attractive. Bierge with the most significant religious monument in the Sierra de Guara - the church of Ermita de San Fructuoso (XII century).

Located in the very south of Aragon, the city has long been under the rule of the Arabs, which is clearly reflected in its magnificent Mudéjar architecture.

East and northeast of Teruel, the rocky slopes of the Sierra de Gudar and El Maestrasco begin, famous for their wild beauty, deep gorges and green meadows. Interestingly, a hundred years ago, many local residents, tired of fighting with wildlife in their attempts to somehow earn a living, left these places and moved to big cities. And their numerous colorful houses and terraced steep hills remained, turning into a visiting card of these places, which attracts many tourists. It is characteristic that the vicinity of Teruel is considered the coldest and sparsely populated place in the country, and the terrain here is often so difficult that many medieval monuments were hardly influenced by later eras.

The charming city is located almost in the very north-west of Aragon.

Many routes to protected lands start from Khaki Ordesa National Park, to the picturesque valleys of Anso and Echo, to the two highest Pyrenean peaks - Aneto (3404 m) and Pose (3371 m, it is interesting that this is the opposite end of the province and the path here is not close, but those who wish are), to the low but picturesque Mount Oroel (1769 m), to the labyrinths of the Sierra de Guara gorges, to the picturesque city ainsa and temple castle Monson (XII-XIV centuries). In the southern spurs of the Pyrenees lie the best ski resorts in the country - Formigal, Panticosa, Serler and Kandanku - Astun (Candanchu-Astun, Aragon's largest ski resort).

On the territory of the autonomy there are 11 large balneological centers, most of which are concentrated around Zaragoza (there are six of them), Huesca (four) and Teruel (one). However, there are many outlets of thermal and mineral waters scattered throughout the foothills, around which you can find small private boarding houses and hotels, whose guests can enjoy the benefits of balneotherapy in a natural environment and at minimal prices.

Aragon is an autonomous region of the Kingdom of Spain, which traces its origins to Kingdoms of Aragon. It is located in the north of the peninsula in the central course of the Ebro River and directly borders France. The neighbors of Aragon in the Iberian Peninsula are: Catalonia (east), Comunidad Valenciana (southeast), Castile-La Mancha (south), Castile and Leon (southwest), La Rioja (southwest) and Navarre ( west). The statute of the autonomous region states that Aragon is a "historic nation".
In the past, the Kingdom of Aragon, as well as: the County of Barcelona, ​​the kingdoms of Majorca and Valencia were part of a historical association called "Crown of Aragon"(Corona de Aragon).
WITH 1978 Aragon is an autonomous region of the Kingdom of Spain, which includes three provinces: Huesca, Teruel and Zaragoza. Capital autonomous region - city ​​of Zaragoza.
The national holiday "Day of Aragon" coincides with the day Saint George and celebrated 23 April.

GEOGRAPHY and CLIMATE

The central part of Aragon lies in the valley of the Ebro River, at an altitude 150 – 300 m above sea level). And to the north and south of it rise the mountain ranges of the Pyrenees and the Iberian System.

IN Aragonese Pyrenees, separating Spain from France, are the main peaks of this mountain range,. First among equals Mount Aneto(Aneto) high 3404 m. Following her are: Posets(Posets) - 3.371 m; Lost Mountain(Monte Perdido / Monte Perdido) – 3355 m, Perdigero(Perdiguero) - 3221 m; Cotielha(Cotiella) - 2912 m. The channels of mountain rivers form a series of Pyrenean valleys: Anso (River Veral); Echo (River Aragon Subordan); Canfranc (Aragon River); Tena (River Gallego) and Broto-Ainsa-Benaske (rivers Ara, Sinca Esera). In the mountains surrounding these valleys, there is Ordesa y Monte Perdido National Park(Parque Nacional de Ordesa y Monte Perdido).
The foothills of the Pyrenees are formed by several sierras. highest height 2077 m reaches the Sierra de Guara. The reddish rocks located near the town of Ayerbe are of particular beauty.
Mountains of the Iberian System on the territory of Aragon do not have a clearly defined unified geological structure. Therefore, they usually distinguish two zones. One is called the Iberian Halon System (Mount Moncayo - 2313 m.), and the other - the Iberian Teruel System. The latter includes the sierras Albarracina, Gudara and Havalambre, as well as the serrania Maestrasgo.
Most of the rivers of Aragon are tributaries of its main river - Ebro. Huge reservoir long 110 km, created on this river directly on the border with Catalonia, bears the proud name - Aragon Sea. The official name of this reservoir is Embalse de Mequinenza.
Climate of Aragon, in general it is considered temperate continental, but this is a rather arbitrary definition, since the heterogeneous terrain (the Pyrenean axis with eternal glaciers on the peaks runs in the north) leads to significant climatic variations in different zones of Aragon. Average temperatures are highly dependent on altitude. In summer, temperatures in the valleys can reach 40° C. Winters are longer in the mountains and temperatures are much lower than in the plains.

HISTORICAL FACTS

The capital of the region Zaragoza is located on the site of the large Roman city of Caesaria Augusta, which was once a major commercial and political center of the province of Spain, Citerior. The first mention of Aragon is contained in documents 828 which recorded the birth of a small Frankish county between the rivers Aragon and Aragon Subordan. Before XI century, it was part of Kingdoms of Pamplona. After the death of the king of Navarre Sancho "el Mayor" The county gained independence. The greatest contribution to expanding the borders and strengthening the power of the kingdom of Aragon was made by Ramiro I And Alfonso I(Warrior - battalador). By the way, after the death of Alfonso happened funny story. His brother was elected king Ramiro II(Monk), who really was a monk and, as a result, could not (had no right) to leave behind a legitimate heir. I had to apply to the Pope for special permission, which was given, and an heiress was born, petronilla. After that, Ramiro again went to the monastery, leaving Aragon with the girl, but without the king. The solution was found in the person of the Count of Barcelona - Ramon Berenguer IV. He became the husband of little Petronilla. Since then, for a long time, the history of Aragon has been inextricably linked with the history of Catalonia. It is worth noting that the Aragonese nobility was distinguished by great independence and the king was really chosen here. It confirms text of the oath of allegiance: "We, who are as worthy as you, make you our King and Senior to protect our rights and freedoms, and if not, then no". Sounds significant.

After the wedding Fernando II of Aragon With Isabel I of Castile which took place in 1469 year in Valladolid, there was a gradual unification of Aragon with Castile. During the struggle for the Spanish inheritance between the Bourbons and the Habsburgs, Aragon supported the wrong side. Winner, Philip V of Bourbon carried out public administration reform. As a result, the Aragonese nobility lost their privileges, and local governments were dissolved. During the "War of Independence" (as the war with Napoleon is called in Spain) Zaragoza was almost completely destroyed, which led to a further weakening of the economic and political potential of Aragon. Mass migration played a negative role XIX century, when peasants in search of a better life went to the large cities of Aragon and Catalonia, as well as to Madrid. History of Aragon XX century, with few exceptions, repeats the history of all of Spain. During the civil war, Aragon was divided into two zones - supporters of the republic (east) and Francoists (west). Particularly fierce battles were fought for possession Teruel. After death Franco began the gradual restoration of civil liberties and the transition to democracy. As a result of democratic changes, in 1982 In the same year, the Statute of the Autonomous Region was adopted and the local parliament (Cortes), local government (la Diputación General) and justice were restored. In May 1992 the new Statute was drafted and entered into force. The latest version of the Statute applies to 2007 year. IN 2008 Zaragoza hosted the EXPO International Exhibition.

LANGUAGE

In Aragon, as in the rest of Spain, the official is Spanish(Castilian) language. In addition, in some regions in the north, people speak Aragonese(Aragones). On the border with Catalonia, various dialects of the Catalan language are common. Although these two local languages ​​are not official, the law "On Cultural Heritage" provides for the obligation of the authorities of the autonomy to ensure their preservation.

Administrative-territorial division

Aragon is divided into 3 provinces: Zaragoza, HuescaAndTeruel with capitals in cities of the same name. Another administrative-territorial unit of Aragon are mosquitoes, which, at the moment, there are 32 plus 1 delimitation comarcal.
Decisions on issues within the competence of local authorities of the autonomous region are made within their powers: Cortes of Aragon(parliament), The president(head of autonomy), Diputation General de Aragon(government) and Justicia de Aragon(judicial branch).

Total in the Cortes of Aragon 67 deputies who sit in Aljaferia Palace(Zaragoza).

TRANSPORT NETWORK

Railway transport.
IN 2003 In 2008, the line of high-speed trains "ABE" was put into operation between Madrid And Lleida(Catalonia), with stops at Catalayudé(Aragon) and Zaragoza(Aragon). IN 2008 In 1998, another section of this expressway was put into operation, connecting Zaragoza With Barcelona.
In addition, by train from Zaragoza you can get to Huesca, Teruel and other cities in Spain .
Car roads
The road network in Aragon has 10 700 km of paved roads, of which 2200 km are classified as national (run by the central government of Spain).
The most significant roads of Aragon:
A-2 or "Autovia de Nordeste" - the main road between Madrid and Barcelona (via Zaragoza).
AR 2(Autopista de Nordeste) is a highway between Zaragoza and the Catalan city of El Vendrell. (The road is paid).
A-23 or "Autovia Mudejar" from the Valencian city of Sagunto to the Somport tunnel, connects all the capitals of the autonomous region - Teruel, Zaragoza and Huesca. It is currently in various stages of renovation. Areas where multi-lane traffic has not yet been organized are marked on the maps as N-330.
A-68 or "Autovia del Ebro" between Miranda del Ebro (Navarra) and the Aragonese city of Valdeagorfa (Lower Aragon) is in various stages of completion. If the section on the territory of Navarra is almost completed, then the Aragonese segment is still functioning only in separate sections in the Zaragoza region. Areas that have not been reconstructed are marked N-232.
AR 68 or Autopista Vasco-Aragonesa - between Bilbao and Zaragoza. (The road is paid).
Special care should be taken when driving on certain sections of the highway NII And N-232.(where they have only one lane in each direction).
Zaragoza airport, is located 10 km from the capital of Aragon. It operates flights to a number of Spanish and foreign cities: Seville, Santiago de Compostela, Palma de Mallorca, Lisbon, Rome, Milan, etc.

TRADITIONS

Aragon has its own national musical tradition - jota(jota aragonesa), which intertwined dance and singing. This musical genre, in the form as we know it now, was formed in the late 18th - early 19th centuries.

The accordion is one of the most widely used musical instruments.
The inhabitants of Aragon are passionate admirers drum. On holidays, drumming is heard everywhere.
The biggest folklore festival of Aragon "Folklore Festival of the Pyrenees"(Festival Folklórico de los Pirineos), which has been held since 1963, one year in Jaca and the next in Oloron-Sainte-Marie. The second no less interesting cultural event of Aragon is "Folklore competition in Teruel"(Muestra de Folclore de Teruel).

GASTRONOMY

Aragonese cuisine is quite diverse. It makes extensive use of vegetables grown in the Ebro Valley and meat (beef and lamb). Locals also love fish, since trout inhabits local rivers in large quantities.
The most famous dishes of Aragon: migas de pastor, Ternasco del Aragon, la borraja, el cardo, las chiretas, las tortetas, la longanisa(smoked sausage), la carne a la pastor, los crespillos, el polo(chicken) al chilindron.

Olive oil, honey, and peaches (Teruel) are among the best in Spain.
They enjoy well-deserved fame red wines(tinto) from grapes grown in the so-called. controlled origin (DO) areas: Somontano, Campo de Borja, Cariñena, Catalayud.

The famous Aragonese cheese Queso de Tronchon(Queso de Tronchón) was mentioned in the "encyclopedia of Spanish life" - the novel "Don Quixote". It is made from a mixture of sheep and goat milk. Other equally respected brands of local cheeses (queso): Echo y Anso(Queso Hecho y Anso) Biescas(Queso de Biescas), el burgo(el burgo), Manuel Monclus(Manuel Monclus).

HOLIDAYS

Day of Aragon noted 23 April.

The inhabitants of Aragon love holidays just like their neighbors from other regions of Spain. So Holy Week(Semana Santa), Christmas And Day of the Magi(Reyes Magos), Carnival and other national holidays are celebrated here cheerfully and on a grand scale. The patron saints of cities and villages are not forgotten either. Every year local holidays are held in their honor.
Holidays of national tourist importance in Aragon are declared:
- processions of drummers in various cities of the province of Teruel, during the celebration of Catholic Easter (Alcaniz, Albalate de Arzobispo, Alcorisa, Andorra, Calanda, Hijar, La Puebla de Hijar, Samper de Calanda, Urrea de Gaen).
holy week(Semana Santa en Teruel) is the feast of Catholic Easter in Teruel.
Feast of the first Friday of May(Fiesta de primer viernes de Mayo) - in the city of Jaca, province of Huesca.
Romeria of St. Peter(Romeria San Pablo) in the town of Camarena de la Sierra (Camarena de la Sierra) in the province of Teruel (Teruel) - on the last Saturday and Sunday of June.
Holidays San Lorenzo(Fiestas de San Lorenzo) in Huesca (August 9-15).
Culture Holiday(Fiestas Culturales) in the town of Camarena de la Sierra (Camarena de la Sierra), province of Teruel (Teruel) - August 13 - 15.
Feast of San Bartolome(Fiestas en honor a San Bartolome) in the town of Lechago (Lechago) province of Teruel (Teruel) - August 21 - 25.
Feast of San Augustin and San Atilano(Fiestas en honor a San Augustin y San Atilano) - in Cipotegato (Cipotegato), Tarazona (Tarazona), province of Zaragoza (Zaragoza) - 27.08 - 01.09.
Celebration in honor of San Vicente Ferrer(Fiestas Patronales de Graus en Honor del Santo Cristo y San Vicente Ferrer) in the town of Graus (Graus), province of Huesca (Huesca) - 12 - 15.09.
St. Matthew(San Mateo) in Camarena de la Sierra (Camarena de la Sierra), province of Teruel (Teruel) - 18-20.09.
– 12.10.

RESERVES

Ordesa Valley (Valle de Ordesa) became the country's first National Park in 1918 year, thanks to the efforts of the Frenchman Lucien Brie, who "tormented" the Spanish government with constant requests to establish a reserve in these places. Royal Decree dated 16 august 1918 year, protected areas were declared 2100 ha. IN 1982 In 2010, the area of ​​protected areas was significantly increased (15,608 ha) and the reserve received a new name: Ordesa National Park and Monte Perdido. The elevation difference in the reserve is 2600 m ( Anisclo – 750 m above sea level and Mount Perdido - 3550 m). On the other side of the Pyrenees, there is the "National Park of the French Pyrenees", the border of which is in direct contact with the Aragonese "brother". IN 1997 The area of ​​Ordesa-Vinyamala was declared a Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO. The National Park and the adjacent protected area is located on the territory of the following municipalities: Torla , Broto , Fanlo , Telya Sin , Puertolas and Bielsa.

WORLD HERITAGE AND OTHER SITES

IN 1986 historical year downtown Teruel, built in style Mudéjar, has been declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. IN 2001 year, the list was filled with other monuments of Aragon, built in this style:
Tower, dome and roof of the Cathedral of Santa Maria de Mediavilla; tower and church of San Pedro; tower of the church of San Martin; tower of the church del Salvador in Teruel .
Apse, claustro and tower of the colechia (church) Santa Maria in Catalayud.
Parish Church of Santa Tecla in Cervera de la Cañada .
Church of Santa Maria in the town of Tobed .
Mudéjar architectural elements preserved in the palace Aljaferia(Aljaferia), as well as tower of the parish church of San Pablo;apse and dome of La Seo Cathedral – in Zaragoza. But not only these monuments of the past of Aragon are worthy of attention.

Fabulous Loarre castle perfectly played the role of an impregnable citadel in many historical films. According to ancient legends, the mysterious Grail was kept in the Monastery of San Juan de la Peña. On the stage of the Roman theater in the ancient city of Cesaria Augusta (Zaragoza), antique dramas are still being played. The memory of the times of Moorish domination in the Iberian Peninsula carefully protects city ​​of Albarracin. Churches in towns and villages (Jaca, Huesca), especially those on the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage route, are full of sculptural and pictorial masterpieces. An amazing natural corner - (province of Teruel) attracts with the incomparable beauty of the mountain landscape.

Big sightseeing map of Aragon with translation of symbols into Russian.

and with several neighboring regions of the country. The region is located on the territory of the Iberian Peninsula and occupies most of the Aragonese plain, possessing fabulous natural landscapes, with an abundance of rivers and lakes, dry steppes, mountain ranges, as well as broad-leaved and coniferous forests.

Peculiarities

Aragon consists of 3 provinces: Zaragoza, Teruel and Huesca. Each of them is divided into districts, which include several cities. The region's economy is based on agriculture, sugar, oil, flour, metalworking and chemical industries, as well as winemaking and aluminum production. Tourism brings considerable income to the regional budget. Possessing gorgeous natural landscapes and excellent opportunities for sports, Aragon first of all attracts the attention of climbers, fans of skiing and people who come here for relaxation and treatment in local balneological centers. However, the most beautiful cities of the north-east of Spain, with a well-developed tourist infrastructure, also serve as an excellent opportunity to get to know the history of this part of the country, as well as appreciate the charm and elegance of its architecture. The real highlight of these places is "hota", which is a dance and musical genre in the form of a theatrical performance, symbolizing the hot Spanish temperament. Of particular note are the culinary traditions of the region and its excellent wines made from grapes grown on picturesque plantations surrounded by majestic mountain peaks.

general information

The territory of Aragon covers an area of ​​just under 48,000 sq. km, and the population is about 1 million 300 thousand people. At the same time, almost half of the inhabitants represent the province of Zaragoza and most of them speak Castilian, their native language for Spain. Local time is 1 hour behind Moscow time in summer and 2 hours in winter. Timezone UTC+1 and UTC+2 in summer. Official site www.aragon.es.

A brief excursion into history

People appeared on these lands long before our era, but the name of the region was first mentioned in documentary reports only in 828, when a Frankish county was formed here, which was part of the kingdom of Navarre. In the first half of the 11th century, Aragon gained independence, and then nearby territories joined it. During the War of the Spanish Succession, Aragon took the side of Archduke Charles, and at the end of the battle of Almansa, in 1707, it actually turned into a province, divided into several regions. At the end of the 19th century, after the second territorial reform, Zaragoza, Teruel and Huesca were listed on the territory of Aragon, and a century later, in 1982, Spain decided to adopt an autonomous status for the region, which continues to this day.

Climate

The weather conditions of the region, in its different regions, are significantly influenced by the Mediterranean and continental climate. The average annual temperature directly depends on the height above sea level, although the total number of sunny days is quite large. So in the Ebro Valley, the thermometer can rise to +40 in summer and drop to almost 0 in winter. At higher points, the temperature is lower by an average of 10 degrees. You can come here at any time of the year, depending on the purpose of the trip, since both in the winter and summer months, the region welcomes guests.

How to get there

The largest international airport of Aragon is located 10 km from. There is also the Huesca-Pirineos airport, near the capital of the province of Huesca, and the Santa Silia airfield, near the city of Jaki, which provides private and tourist flights over short distances.

Transport

Overland movement in the region is carried out with the help of the railway and intercity buses. Both networks are developed quite well, so tourists, as a rule, do not have problems with transfers. In addition, there is always the opportunity to use the services of a taxi or rent a car at any of the rental offices.

Main cities and resorts

It acts as the capital of the region, which is also the administrative center of the province of the same name. The city is located on the banks of the Ebro River and is considered the fifth largest in Spain. Its architectural appearance, with an abundance of buildings made in the Mudéjar style, makes even seasoned tourists admire, and the Natural Park, located in the immediate vicinity of the city limits, many of whose plants are listed in the Red Book, is an excellent place for walking and enjoying the natural beauties of the region. Among the rocky mountain ranges is the city of Teruel, which attracts guests with its elegant architecture and a variety of natural landscapes. At the very foot of the Pyrenees is another provincial capital, Huesca, which has a rich cultural and historical heritage. Particularly noteworthy are the ancient city of Jaca, in addition to its unique attractions, famous for its excellent conditions for practicing winter sports, and Barbastro, where the outstanding writers of the golden age of Spanish literature were born. Many popular hiking trails start from Jaca, leading to the protected areas of the Ordesa National Park, with its valleys, mountains and waterfalls, as well as to the mountain peaks of Monte Perdiro.

Among the winter resorts of the region, the ski centers of the Aragonese Pyrenees stand out, including such famous ski centers as Astun, Boi Taul, Baqueira-Beret and Candanchu. All of them are distinguished by a developed infrastructure and excellent conditions for skiing, including excellent slopes equipped with modern ski lifts and convenient transport links. In addition, this area is famous for excellent weather conditions and an abundance of sunny days throughout the winter season. Most of the balneological centers of the region are concentrated in the province of Zaragoza, although there are both in Teruel and Huesca. They are characterized by high quality service, qualified staff and effective year-round treatment, accompanied by sports and a rich excursion program. In the summer season, numerous climbers and connoisseurs of natural beauties come to Aragon.

Attractions and entertainment

In addition to the most beautiful natural landscapes, Aragon has a lot of unique architectural structures that can be seen in various cities of the region. The historic center of Zaragoza Casco Viejo, with its baroque basilica Nuestra Señora del Pilar and the Moorish palace of Aljaferia, the famous monastery of San Juan de la Peña, on the way to Santiago de Compostela, the Church of the Transfiguration and the monastery of St. Peter in Huesca, The Cathedral of St. Mary of Mediavilla in Teruel is only a small part of the architectural splendor that Aragon is rich in. For lovers of active pastime, an excellent opportunity to get to know the natural attractions of the region is a trip to the Sierra de Guara mountain ranges, where a wonderful national park is located, with rare beauty of the terrain and excellent opportunities for rafting and canyoning. In addition, there are specially equipped bike trails, as well as routes for climbers and ski fans. During the year, in many cities of the region, various festive events and festivals are held, which invariably attract a huge number of people.

Kitchen

Aragonese cuisine is a mixture of the traditions of the northern regions of Spain and the Mediterranean East. Vegetables such as tomatoes, onions, cucumbers, artichokes and other vegetables occupy an important place in cooking here. Spices such as basil, anise, saffron, cinnamon, cloves, and pepper are often used. Among the meat products, the most popular are hare and partridge meat dishes. Particular attention should be paid to Teruel ham and Tronchon cheese, which is made from sheep's milk. The local soups, including garlic and onion soups, which have a unique taste, are also quite remarkable. Of the sweets, it is worth highlighting candied fruits covered with dark chocolate, grillage and all kinds of desserts made from fruits. As drinks, the wines of Somontano, Cariñena, Borja and Calatayud are very popular here.

shopping

The most successful cities for shopping lovers are the provincial capitals, Zaragoza, Teruel and Huesca. It is in them that the main shopping complexes, shops, markets and boutiques are concentrated, where you can buy goods for every taste, from clothes and cosmetics to mobile phones and memorable souvenirs, depicting the most famous sights of the region.

Aragon is one of the most attractive tourist destinations in Aragon. Here you can have a great time enjoying the beauty of wild nature, traveling through national parks, feel all the advantages of winter sports, see unique architectural structures, feel the wonderful atmosphere of these places, as well as learn the culture and traditions of the Spanish north.