Other Architectural Landmarks Along the Camino

The French Way (Camino Francés) of Saint James originated in the Middle Ages. It was a time of military hostility between Christian and Muslims, and also of conflict in the border regions, in the fight to extend their territories. In more recent times, its proximity to France made defending the borders a priority. Furthermore, the Camino was not only a pilgrimage route, but also vital for trade and communications.

Along the Camino, it stimulated many types of infrastructure such as castles, fortresses, bridges, hospitals, and lodgings, in order to defend the territory, as well as offer protection and facilitate the journeys of pilgrims, travelers, traders, and troops. In Aragon, there are still many examples of great historical-artistic value in an unrivalled natural environment.

The fort was built between 1888 and 1900, on the site of an 18th-century fortress, in response to the construction of the Portalet Fort in France. Its main purpose was to defend and guard the transport links to its neighboring country. It was soon rendered obsolete and fell out of use in 1961.

The station was born from the desire to create a railway crossing through the Somport tunnel between Spain and France. It was inaugurated in 1928, in the presence of King Alfonso XIII and the French president Gaston Doumergue. It was closed to international traffic in 1970, but is scheduled to reopen following the inauguration of the new terminal in 2021.

Situated behind the Thieves' Pass Fort, it forms part of the defensive system created to defend the new highway linking Zaragoza and France, which was completed in 1876. It has undergone a restoration and is now a venue for cultural activities.

Being a border town, Canfranc had a medieval fortification to defend its entrance. In 1592, it was extended by Tiburzio Spannocchi, king's engineer to Philip II of Spain. The only part of the building still standing today is the eastern facade.

It is also known as the Pilgrims' Bridge due to its location along the Camino de Santiago. The bridge was originally built in medieval times but was severely damaged when the River Aragon flooded. It was then rebuilt in 1599, as detailed on an inscription on its northern parapet. It is 115 feet (35 m) long, with one single arch, and is set on a stone block and stone masonry.

It is an important fortress within the vast military heritage of the region. It was built in the 19th century on Rapitán Hill, to the north of Jaca, overlooking the highway leading to France. With a footprint of more than 382,119 square feet (35,500 m2), it has undergone a restoration and is now a cultural activity center.

Philip II commissioned its construction to the engineer Tiburzio Spannocchi. Its purpose was to defend the border during the religious wars between the Catholics and Protestants, which took place in France in the 16th century. Its structure was modeled on the new military architecture informed by the use of artillery.

It is in the form of a pentagon, with arrow-shaped bastions in each corner, linked by a round path and with an inner ward in the center. The moat, munitions dumps, tunnels, and barracks have all been preserved. It is accessed through a three-arched bridge and a drawbridge.

This imposing, Gothic-style tower was constructed in 1445, as a church jail. It later became the residence of the Merino (the king's representative in the city), but from 1599, it reverted to its former use as a jail. Later that same year, the council decided to install a clock with three bells in the upper section, so they would not have to rely on the cathedral clock.

This spectacular bridge from the Late Middle Ages (15th century) was built over the River Aragon to marshal the routes linking the different valleys. It is 315 feet (96 m) in length, and the principal arch measures 56 feet (17 m). It has an asymmetrical elevation and the profile of a donkey's back.

This Gothic-style tower was part of a castle fortification from the second half of the 15th century. It is located in the highest point of the town and is joined to the Church of Santa Águeda by a section of the old wall. Together with the Torre de Atarés (Atarés Tower), it provided a defense for the left bank of the River Aragon.

Built in the 11th century on the site of a ruined ancient fortress, it was a key defensive element for this territory bordering Navarre. The convergence of the Aragon and Regal Rivers was monitored from the castle, as well as the Berdún Canal. Its imposing keep stands 82 feet (25 m) high.