There are two marvellous sights which really stand out in this delightful town – the Citadel in Jaca, and the Cathedral.
Read more: The Citadel in JacaA brief history and layout
Philip II of Spain commissioned the construction of the Citadel at the end of the 16th century to protect the Spanish border. There is a long history of the Citadel and many articles on the internet devoted to it.1 2
Walking round the Citadel
The Courtyard of the Well was interesting because there were photographs which showed the tremendous restoration work done in the Citadel. The Spanish are very proud of their heritage and take care to preserve it in good order.
The Chapel
Inside the Citadel
There is a large parade ground inside the Citadel, with a statue of Philip II in the middle.
Museums
The Museum of Military Miniatures is extraordinary – a collection of over 32,000 lead figures! The Battle of Waterloo is laid out in graphic detail – it must have been ghastly. Seeing it laid out like this brings home the horror of all those men, crowded together, killing one another.
The Military Mountain School was founded in Jaca in 1945, and also includes a high mountain military group, an elite in the armed forces, apparently. Next to the Museum of Miniatures is a display devoted to the mountain troops of the army. I felt sickened by the photographs of their training – these are ordinary people, not professional mountaineers, and yet we are asking them to do these superhuman things on our behalf. It should make us very angry with politicians who treat war so lightly, or precipitate fighting as a first resort. It is of course a dilemma: I understand and sympathise with the Pacifists, but what do you do if you are attacked?
A visit to the Citadel in Jaca was enough for one day!
I would love to hear from you!