Castiello
Castiello de Jaca (castle of Jaca) is one of the most important spots in the part of the Road to Santiago which goes through Aragón. It is settled in the lower part of the Alto Valle del Aragón (921 meters of altitude) and its Romanesque Church of San Miguel and its surroundings still represent a road of historic significance. It still preserves the remains of its medieval cemetery, with slabs on its northern side, the old abbey, the meadow on its southern side, the parapet of the old front facade and the top of the bell tower. Next to the church, we can still see the remains of the medieval fortress. It was first used as a signal tower during the late Roman times, in order to defend the Vía del Somport (Somport road) which the Visigoths inherited. It later functioned as border line with the Muslim world and was key for the defense of the valley with its castle. According to the travel books of the 18th and 19th centuries, in romantic Spain, as you passed the border and were approaching Jaca, you absolutely had to stop at the Posada (inn) or Venta de Carruajes (Inn of Carriages) of Castiello de Jaca. This was a meeting point for travelers, merchants, pilgrims and the citizens of the valleys.

Picture of Castiello

The relics
Within the Road to Santiago Castiello de Jaca is known as "the one with the hundred relics". It keeps most of those relics from the first times of Christianity. They are kept in a silver arch, together with the tabernacle from the main altar of the Church of San Miguel. Legend has it that a Valencian pilgrim felt depleted of the physical and spiritual stamina necessary to go on, and as a sign of gratitude to Castiello for the aid he received, he donated all his possessions to the city council and the families that had lent him help. Due to this, the major of the city keeps the key for the arc of relics, which are only shown once a year, on the first Sunday of the month of July.

Sport tradition
For ten years, this place pioneered a cycling race which achieved international level. Nowadays, on a weekend near the festivity of St Miguel, they hold a half marathon meeting which counts itself among the most important events in the track and field national calendar. The local sport facilities allow visitors to practice different kinds of sports, like football, swimming or horse riding.

La Garcipollera
Castiello de Jaca is the natural, historic and geographic gateway to the valley of la Garcipollera, where the rivers Ijuez and Aragón meet. After a period of expropriation of lands in order to reforest the area, all the populated places became abandoned and are currently in ruins, except for Bescós and Villanovilla. However, la Garcipollera invites the traveler to take countless promenades along its trails or paths, which we can take on foot, cycling or riding. We can watch old oak and pine woods together with the newly planted trees, the spectacle of some deer grazing in front of us, the renown wild boars of Acín and the multitude of species that live together in the natural environment. Finally, at the end of the valley we will find Santa María de Iguacel, an old monastery which preserves its Romanesque church from the 11th century and which was brilliantly restored.