Aragon is mysterious and majestic. Aragon, spain World Heritage of Humanity and other landmarks

In the Autonomous Community of Aragon, there are a lot of areas protected by law. Characteristic features of nature are lakes, mountain rivers and springs. The calm flow of the Ebro River contrasts with the turbulent flows of mountain rivers. In the east, the river flows through the highest mountain range of the Iberian System. Moncayo(Moncayo). On it is located Laguna de Gallocanta(Laguna de Gallocanta).

Story

Today's Autonomous Community of Aragon occupies the same territory that the ancient kingdom of Aragon occupied in the Middle Ages.

Attractions and recreation

Of particular interest to tourists are the northern regions of Aragon in the Pyrenees. The region attracts kayakers, climbers and river rafting enthusiasts. In addition, Aragon has gained great popularity among mountain bikers.

For those who want to feel the healing power thermal waters The region offers a huge selection of natural springs.

The healing power of the local springs was known even in Roman times. The Arabs, who left behind thermal baths, were treated in the same sources. The modern wellness centers of Aragon offer visitors a choice of a wide range of therapeutic and beauty treatments.

Ordesa National Park (Parque Nacional Ordesa) is the oldest national park in Spain. The park was created in 1918 on an area of ​​15,600 hectares. It is filled with waterfalls and green valleys. Alpine slopes are strewn with orchids, wild violets and edelweiss. Ordesa Park is perfect for hiking, climbing or rafting.

Cities

City of Zaragoza(Zaragoza) is one of the most ancient and majestic cities in Spain and the capital of the autonomy of Aragon. The city was founded by the Romans in 27 BC. In ancient times, it was called the "white city" because of the white marble walls surrounding it. In the museums and on the streets of Zaragoza, a huge historical heritage of the Romans and Muslims is stored. The treasure of Zaragoza and the pearl of the Moorish style counts Aljaferia palace(Palacio de la Aljaferia). It was built by Al-Muqtadir in the 11th century outside the Old City.

City of Teruel(Teruel) is a rather peculiar Aragonese city, which perfectly embodied the architecture of the Mudéjar style. In it, the features of Moorish art are perfectly combined with the compositional techniques of Gothic.

Of greatest interest are the cathedral with excellent bell towers and the churches of El Salvador (El Salvador), St. Pedro (San Pedro) and St. Martin (San Martin).

City of Huesca(Huesca) is located at the foot of the Pyrenees. Tourists are expected by medieval buildings of indescribable beauty and natural corners. Huesca is the economic center of Upper Aragon and a very lively commercial city.

Alpine valleys, snow-covered peaks, transparent lakes and deep gorges, terraces of the former royal capital of Zaragoza, battlements of knightly castles in a remote area of ​​​​Maestrasgo - this is what the birthplace of the great Goya looks like today, the most sparsely populated part of Spain - an autonomous community.

Among the isolated areas of Spain, the autonomous community is the most isolated. It is located in the northeast of the country in the Erbo River basin. The center of the autonomous community of Aragon is the Aragonese lowland, surrounded by the Cantabrian, Iberian and Catalan mountains. The Central Pyrenees cut off Aragon from France.

One of the characteristic natural features of Aragon are mountain rivers and lakes, healing natural springs. Stormy mountain streams contrast with the calm Yerbo River, which flows in the east through the highest mountain range of the Iberian system - Moncayo.

Aragon is one of the centers of the Spanish culture of the Middle Ages, and from the glorious past, he inherited a huge number of architectural monuments, castles and churches. Business card of the Autonomous Community of Aragon - Jota ( jota ), song and dance at the same time. Jota appeared in Aragon in XVIII century and since then, not a single local holiday is complete without this rhythmic and incendiary melody.

The autonomous community of Aragon includes three provinces: Zaragoza, Huesca and Teruel. In general, this is the most sparsely populated part of Spain between the Pyrenees and Meseta.

Zaragoza is the largest province of Aragon. More than half of all its inhabitants live here. The city of the same name ranks sixth among the largest cities in Spain. Over 600 thousand people live in modern Zaragoza.

The administrative center of the province of Huesca has 50 thousand inhabitants and is the economic center of Upper Aragon. The city of Huesca was founded by the Iberians, then was chosen by the Romans, the Romans were replaced by the Arabs, from whose dominion Huesca was liberated already in 1096. Today it is a trading city, but it also has a small university.

The city of Teruel is rightfully considered the pearl of Mudéjar art. Moorish architects, who enjoyed special rights, continued to work in Teruel until 1502, when the last mosque was closed.

An area of ​​particular interest to tourists is located in the north of Aragon in the Pyrenees. It is especially attractive for climbers and rafting enthusiasts, it is very popular with mountain bikers and fans of mountain skiing.

Natural sources of healing thermal waters make Aragon a place of pilgrimage for those who want to improve and strengthen their health by applying water procedures. The healing power of local waters was known to the ancient Romans, and the Arabs did not disdain such treatment. Since then, thermal baths have been preserved here, and the modern health resorts of Aragon offer their guests a wide range of therapeutic and cosmetic procedures based on medicinal waters.

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 convent of San Juan de la Peña on the way to Santiago de Compostela, the Church of the Transfiguration and the Convent of Saint 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, a great 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 the 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.

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).
FROM 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.

AT 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. This 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. AT 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 a 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.
AT 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). AT 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 that 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. AT 1982 In 2008, 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". AT 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

AT 1986 historical year downtown Teruel, built in style Mudéjar, has been declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. AT 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 that lie on the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage route, are full of sculptural and pictorial masterpieces. An amazing natural corner - (the province of Teruel) attracts with the incomparable beauty of the mountain landscape.

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

Aragon is an autonomous region of Spain, a former kingdom of the same name, which includes the central part of the Ebro Valley. It is located in the north, bordering France and the autonomous regions of Castilla-La Mancha, Castilla and León, Catalonia, La Rioja, Navarre and Valencia. Recognized as an autonomous region as a historically established nationality.

The Kingdom of Aragon with the County of Barcelona (Catalonia), the Kingdom of Valencia and the Kingdom of Majorca were part of the Kingdom of Aragon. Since 1978, this is a Spanish autonomous region formed by Huesca, Teruel and Zaragoza, divided into 32 districts and 1 district center. The capital is the city of Zaragoza. April 23 is the day of Aragon and the Festival of San Jorge takes place.

Current time in Zaragoza:
(UTC+1)

Since August 2, 1999, Marcelino Iglesias Rico (PSOE) has been President of the Autonomous Region of Aragon, governed with the participation of the PAR (Aragonese Party).

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Climate and weather in Aragon

Although the climate can generally be called temperate continental, its diverse orography has led to the emergence of several climates or microclimates in different parts of the autonomy - from high mountains with eternal ice (glaciers), steppe zones, (Monegros) and ending with a sharply continental climate of the area around Teruel- Darok. Average temperatures depend on the altitude of the place above sea level.

Accordingly, in the Ebro Valley, winter temperatures are quite high (although this impression is spoiled by strong winds), and in summer they reach 40 ° C. In mountainous areas, winters are more severe, with average temperatures 10°C lower than in the valley. The two main winds of Aragon are the north wind and the east (bochorno). The first blows from the northwest of the valley to the southeast, reaching great strength and speed, and the second is a warm wind, blowing more erratically and more gently, mainly from the southwest.

Vegetation depends on topography and climate - there is a wide variety of species, from wild plants to agricultural crops. Forests, shrubs and grasslands can be found in the high altitude areas, while the Ebro valley is used for crops.

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Transport

Aragon occupies an important strategic position, located on important trade routes, which makes it profitable to develop communications, although they still do not satisfy all needs, and projects are created without a preliminary assessment of the situation, which makes them unusable after a few years.

Airports

At the moment, there are two airports in Aragon:

• Zaragoza Airport, located 10 km southwest of the center of the capital. Currently undergoing major renovations in connection with Expo 2008, a new terminal is being built with a capacity of 1,000,000 passengers per year. In addition, the airport is experiencing an influx of passengers from Ryanair, which breaks its own records year after year with 435,881 passengers in 2006. according to Aena. Planes fly to Paris, Frankfurt, Seville, Santiago de Compostela, the Canary Islands, Palma de Mallorca, Lisbon, Rome and Milan, with plans to expand this list. Transportation companies: Ryanair, Plaza Servicions aéreos, Air Nostrum y Air Europa. In addition to the increase in passenger numbers, the number of commercial traffic is increasing after several years of stagnation, thus making the airport one of the fastest growing in the Iberian Peninsula.
• Huesca-Pirineos Airport, located 10 km from the capital of Upper Aragon. At the moment, finishing work is being completed, although the airport has not yet been put into operation. The first commercial flights are planned for the end of 2007. by Pyrenair to Lisbon, La Coruña, Madrid and Valencia.
• The Caudé airfield, located 11 km from Teruel, is currently at the design stage. Initially, it will serve for parking, maintenance, repair and disassembly of aircraft, although it may be used for passenger and commercial traffic in the long term.
• Santa Silia Jaqui Airport, located 14km east of Jaca, in the heart of the Pyrenees, operates private, leisure and ultra-light flights.
• The Villanueva Galego airfield, located 15 km north of Zaragoza, is intended for educational and recreational purposes.

Freeway network

Aragon has one of the longest road networks in Spain, most of which are under the jurisdiction of the Council of Deputies of Aragon, three provincial deputies or one of the municipalities of Aragon. In total, the length of the roads is about 10,700 km, half of which belongs to the DGA. 2200 km belong to the State, and the remaining 3000 belong to various deputations.

The DGA is now in the process of updating and maintaining the safety of its roads, keeping up with modern requirements, is developing an independent toll highway that will connect El Burgo and Vilafranca (Ebro) by combining the N-II, AP-2, N-232 and A-222 motorways, making the first section of Quinto Sinturon (Z-50) in the capital of Aragon. In addition, other independent motorways, such as Gallur-Cariñena and Gallur-Ehea, are in various stages of design.

The state owns many motorways, highways and highways of Aragon, thus forming a major road network in Aragon. Here are some of the freeways:

• A-2 or North East Freeway connecting Madrid and Barcelona, ​​consisting of two sections: Madrid-Alfajarín and Fraga Barcelona. The N-II section between Fraga and Alphaharin is currently being studied. In addition, this motorway is currently being reconstructed, which will improve the quality of coverage and speed of movement.
• The AP-2 or Northeast Motorway connects the capital of the Ebro and the Catalan city of El Vendrell.
• A-23 or Moorish Freeway connects the Valencian city of Sagutno and the Tunnel de Somport, located in the district of Hasetania. This highway crosses Aragon from north to south, passing through three Aragonese capitals on its way. At the moment, the road surface is in various stages of transition to the motorway. In 2008 the motorway pavement will be completed on the section between Nueno, Teruel and Valencia, on the section between Nueno and the de Somport tunnel, work will begin or the project will be under development. Whole sections receive the code number N-330.
• The A-21 or Freeway of the Pyrenees will be built along with the A-22 and a section of the A-23 via Pamplona-Huesca-Lleida, sections of the road are currently in various stages of development. For example, the Navarre section is being built at a rapid pace thanks to a pavement competition organized by the Community in Action. The section between the border with the neighboring county and Huesca is in various stages of development due to orographic difficulties, although there are already sections under construction. There is already active legal construction on the road section between Huesca and Lleida, with the exception of the section between the capital and Sietamo, which recently adopted a Declaration of Impact on Nature (DIA) and banned the project.
• The A-68 or Ebro motorway connects Miranda in the Ebro and Valdeargorfa, located in Baix Aragó. This freeway is also in various stages of development. The fastest way is the construction of the section passing through Navarre, the section on the territory of Aragon is the most lagging behind. Two sites near the capital of the Ebro have already been put into operation, or rather Figueruelas-Zaragoza and Zaragoza-Burgo. Other sections in Aragon are still being explored, with the exception of El Burgo and Fuentes (Ebro), where work is currently underway, although the blueprint created will allow the road to become a motorway. Finished sections of this freeway are designated N-232.
• AP-68 or Basco-Aragonese Highway connecting Bilbao and Zaragoza.

At the moment, many projects are not allowed to be implemented after the accident on the N-II and N-232 highways, where fatal accidents constantly occur, therefore, it is planned to make the AP-68 and AP-2 motorways toll on already completed sections.
The three-deputy highways are shut down under renovation, and there are already talks of them being handed over to the DGA to form the Autonomous Freeway Network.

Railway

The railway network of Aragon is quite extensive, there are ordinary tracks and, at the same time, special ones for high-speed trains.

In 2003 After much discussion, the High Speed ​​Train (LAV) Route Madrid-Zaragoza-Lerida was inaugurated, stopping at Calatayuda and Zaragoza. Subsequently, a High-Speed ​​Train Route was created in Huesca, the capital of the Oia de Huesca district (Plana de Uesca), although it is not very successful, because. crosses tracks for conventional trains. In December 2007 It was expected to open High-Speed ​​Train Tracks to Kondal, but due to problems with the work, the deadline was extended to February 2008. In addition, the Zaragoza-Teruel line is being upgraded to increase cross-country ability and to join the Cantabrian-Mediterranean High Speed ​​Train Network. The work consists in replacing the rails with wider ones (UIC), changing the electrification system and reducing the number of turns. The track connecting Teruel and Zaragoza (part of the Cantrank-Sangunto Way) is in rather poor condition, neither it nor the trains have yet been updated, for example, the Regional Train Gieselle (TDR) runs here, which is already being disposed of in Aragon after other cities of the Peninsula.

The number of RENFE trains in Aragon was extremely small, so the DGA subsidized the production of trains specifically for Aragon, but some felt that the financing of the railway in Aragon violated the rights of other territories by Spain. Some thought that the creation of independent railways, with which some neighboring territories were already equipped, and the emergence of competitors from the State, could more quickly solve the problem of restoring the railway network of Aragon, thus facilitating the use of the above-mentioned transport.

Speaking of the railways of Aragon, it is worth highlighting the international Canfranc network, which suspended traffic through Aragon and France in the 70s after the destruction of the bridge on the French side. Since then, the tracks have remained abandoned, requiring at least repair and the construction of a tunnel under the Central Pyrenees chain, or rather, through the Vinemalie massif, although neither repair nor design of the tunnel is planned in the short term.

culture

Throughout Aragon, Castilian is spoken, which is the official language, as in all of Spain. In some northern parts of the region Aragonese is spoken. In addition, some dialects of Catalan are also used in a narrow strip in the east of the region.

To date, Castilian is the only official language spoken by the majority of the Aragonese population. It often differs from the traditional version, using some elements of the Aragonese language, which, however, gradually disappear after the 15th century. There are several variants of Castilian that differ in intonation and vocabulary.

Aragonese is spoken in small areas of Huesca and Zaragoza, and the influence of the language is also noticeable in the provinces of Zaragoza, Teruel, La Rioja, Navarra, and to a lesser extent in areas that speak Catalan or Valencian. The language is recognized by the European Union as one of the "minority languages" that are threatened with extinction, so the EU called on the DGA to protect it and encourage its dissemination.

Numerous dialects of Catalan, which are spoken in some eastern regions of Aragon, forming the so-called. "Strip". This language, like Aragonese, is awaiting the approval of the Law of Languages ​​and official recognition, although it is in better conditions than Aragonese. For example, in the region of Fraga, you can get a 4-year Primary Education and a 4-year Secondary Education by studying Catalan every day during overtime.

What to watch

The Pyrenees are older than the Alps and began to form as early as the Paleozoic period. From west to east, they cross the entire border of France and Spain and stretch for 450 kilometers, and the highest point is 3400 meters above sea level. By the way, this mountain - Aneto - is located in the province of Aragon, like the third highest in the Pyrenean system - Monte Perdido, around which the Ordesa y Monte Perdido National Park is located.

To get here, you need to drive along the picturesque Aragonese roads to the village of Broto, and then about 10 more kilometers to the large parking lot Pradera de Ordesa. The advantages of this option are that you can get there by a rented car and take a walk in the gorge of the Ordesa y Monte Perdido National Park (Ordesa y Monte Perdido). The Arasas River will flow past, and picturesque mountains and waterfalls will hang over you, demonstrating their greatness.

The second option - in the same village of Broto, you can take a jeep tour directly to the peaks, from where, of course, a more advantageous view opens. You can do this with the help of the Miradores de Ordesa company, which translates as the observation decks of Ordesa - the Ordesa y Monte Perdido National Park. By the way, Monte Perdido translates as “lost”, which is explained by the fact that it constantly strives to hide from your eyes in thick clouds. But it is from above that you are much more likely to see it. If time permits, it is better to look at the gorge from below and then go up on the high-torque Land Rover Defender. You can’t come here on your own car, even if it has a 6 × 6 wheel arrangement, it’s a national park after all. But, if physical capabilities allow, you can rent bicycles in Broto. You can also order a tour in Russia - at the Vremya Tour company.

Ainsa is a town with a population of just over two thousand people. Recognized as the Rural Tourism Capital of Spain in 2018. The main square of the city has managed to preserve its original appearance in the best way relative to other squares in Spain - all the houses of the XII century surrounding the square have been skillfully restored, but there are no new buildings and significant architectural alterations. The galleries on the ground floors of these buildings were previously used by merchants, as elsewhere in medieval Europe, and today there are cafes, restaurants and souvenir shops here.

The dominant of the square is the Church of St. Mary. Its uniqueness lies in the fact that it is one of the best examples of Romanesque architecture in Aragon. Built in the 11th-12th centuries, it is so old that instead of windows there are thin plates of marble: even in the daytime there is enough light so as not to stumble, which only adds drama to visiting the holy place. As well as the Gregorian chants coming from the speakers. In the basement there is a crypt, the intimacy of which fascinates and makes you think about the eternal. And the highest part of the church used to play the role of a watchtower as well - narrow slots-loopholes hint at this. Such was the fate of all the buildings of the cult of that time - it was necessary to think not only about the high, but also constantly protect their possessions from encroachment.

The main defensive structure is located in front of the square - this is the fortress of Ainsa of the 11th century, or rather the walls and the main tower that remained from it. You can climb the walls and enjoy the view of the Plaza Mayor and the old city behind it, and on the other hand, you will still be accompanied by the majestic Pyrenees.

The old city itself also performed a protective function, located on a solid hill (569 meters above sea level) overlooking the Pyrenees and the two rivers flowing below - Ara and Cinca. So for tourists, the defensive past of the city is not only a remarkable historical fact, but also a delight for the eyes: from the observation platforms, breathtaking views open up either on one water artery, or on the other, or on the confluence of two rivers at once.

The old city, of course, is quite small - just a couple of main streets and a few lanes between them. But you can wander around it for quite a long time, and not at all because of the difficulties of navigation. Each house, pavement, gate or other element will invariably attract your attention. And if you have a knowledgeable guide with you, then you can learn the history of almost every stone in this city.

The Basilica of Nuestra Señora del Pilar, or in other words - Our Lady of Pilar, is one of the largest churches in Spain, built in the Baroque style. It is also the largest church in Zaragoza. The dedication to the Virgin Mary is associated with the appearance in this place in the year 40 to St. James and eight of his disciples of the Mother of God. It is believed that this is the first shrine dedicated to St. Mary. In the center of the basilica there is a 15th-century column made of jasper and depicting the Mother of God with a baby in her arms.

A Christian sanctuary arose in this place as early as the 2nd century AD in the form of a small chapel. After the liberation of the city from the Moors, a church was built in the Romanesque style, it stood until the fire in 1434. After that, a building in the Gothic style was erected here, and the basilica took on its modern look between 1681 and 1872. But the towers that we see today were completed only in 1907 and 1961.

In honor of Our Lady of Pilar, a festival is held in Zaragoza, the celebrations begin on the weekend before October 12 and last up to 10 days. Feria Pilar offers all kinds of traditional festive events: concerts, fairs, theatrical performances, street processions, solemn prayers, bullfights, fireworks every night, the Jota festival (national singing in Aragon) and Aragonese dances, various exhibitions and competitions. The range of spectacles and entertainment is so wide that these holidays are eagerly awaited by everyone, young and old. During the celebrations, about 1,400 different events take place, 90% of which are free to enter.

The most colorful and grandiose event of the holiday is the offering of flowers to the Holy Virgin Pilar. The statue of the Virgin is installed on a special metal structure (height - 15 m, and weight - about 40 tons), which will subsequently be completely "woven" with flowers. This ceremony is the culmination of the celebrations and always takes place on October 12th. You can visit this colorful action as part of an excursion.