Aragón —not to be mistaken for Aragorn, from the Lord of the Rings— is located in the east of Spain, its northern limits being the Pyrenees and the French border. In the past, it was one of the most powerful kingdoms of the peninsula. So much so, that it conquered Catalonia, Valencia, the Balearic Islands, and parts of Italy. Its medieval coat of arms is still present in the current Spanish Coat of Arms.
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Ramón Llull
Aragón was never a single kingdom, but the union of a number of them. Back then, it was the second most important powerhouse after Castile, until both territories joined through marriage. A lot of important historical figures come from this region, such as Jaime I the Conqueror, a king who was raised by the Knights Templar.
Because of its political importance, Aragón needed castles for defense purposes, so a lot of them were built in the territory. Furthermore, plenty of small villages flourished in the mountains, hidden away. Nowadays, they are definitely worth the visit, as the views are breathtaking.
One of its most important monuments is Monasterio de Piedra (Monastery of Stone), a medieval edification pierced with caves and waterfalls. Fun fact: this is the first place in Europe where hot cocoa was ever drunk. To be honest, pictures cannot capture the real beauty of this place, so one needs to wander around and get lost in its beautiful natural trails to get a sense of it, and its mixture of nature and history.
In Aragón, the stories and legends abound. One of the most popular ones is called The Lovers of Teruel, and it rivals none other than Romeo and Juliet. However, this culture is rich in every aspect, and its food is delicious, with recipes that have been passed from one generation to the next. One of its main products is Iberian ham or jamón ibérico from the city of Teruel, the first of its type to be granted a Denomination of Origin Spain.
You can try this delicacy with us by ordering the St. Vicent Platter. See you there!
