The Citadel of Jaca


After talking to you about Romanesque complex of the Vall de Boí, which occupies the first place in the ranking of 7 Rural Wonders of Spain 2013, we want to tell you now about the corner that occupies the second place on the list and that, as you can imagine, is also worth knowing.

It's about the Jaca Citadel, a pentagonal plan fortification, built at the end of the 16th century that preserves each and every one of its characteristic parts: moat, bastions, escarpments, barracks, powder kegs, tunnels ... It even preserves a beautiful entrance accessed by a bridge drawbridge. Do you want to know more about this rural Spanish wonder? Well, below we give you more details.

The only one in the world

The Citadel of Jaca is the only construction of this type of strength, developed in the 16th century, which remains intact throughout the world (that of Liège is also almost complete, but has other buildings attached around it). Its real name until the 19th century was Castillo de san Pedro, but today everyone knows it as the Citadel of Jaca, and to its extent as the glacis.


Few warlike vicissitudes

Its construction was ordered by King Felipe II to defend the borders Pyrenees during the religious conflicts that took place in the 16th century. Although the fortress has always kept a military garrison within its walls since its construction, the truth is that the accompanying military vicissitudes are few, the most notable being that which occurred during the War of Independence.

Enhance the value of the Citadel

Currently, the army maintains its presence in the Castle and a Consortium formed by the Ministry of Defense, the DGA, DPH and the city of Jaca, is in charge of enhancing its cultural value and managing its conservation, restoration and revitalization.

Tiny Tour | Jaca Spain | An amazing city with a HUGE 400-year-old Citadel 2019 Autumn (March 2024)


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