Less than 100 meters from the Cathedral of Jaca stands the Castle of San Pedro, commonly known as the Citadel of Jaca. This is one of the most significant fortifications of the Modern Age in Spain and the only one of its kind that has been completely preserved in all of Europe. All of this, along with a few more details that will be elaborated on below, make the Citadel of Jaca a must-visit for all history enthusiasts.
More than 400 years of history
To understand its origins, we must go back to the 16th century, specifically to the year 1592. The project was contracted to Tiburcio Spannocchi, a renowned Italian engineer. Its construction was commissioned by King Philip II and was part of a program aimed at defending the Aragonese border with France. In this strategy, its performance was vital.
It was designed following the new models of military architecture, derived from the use of artillery of the time, with lower and thicker walls. It also featured embankments and designated areas for potential confrontations, with cannons and other firing positions. This scheme was known as Italian trace.
However, throughout its existence, this building has not experienced many confrontations. Perhaps the most significant occurred on March 21, 1809, when it was captured by French troops during the War of Independence. Under French control, it would remain for nearly five years, until it was recovered in February 1814 by General Espoz y Mina. Since then, it gradually lost strategic importance, to the point that its walls had to be restored in 1968. This magnificent renovation received the “Europa Nostra” award, granted by the European Union of Cultural Heritage.
Today, the Citadel of Jaca boasts that it has maintained intact all of its construction features: moat, scarps, bastions, barracks, powder magazines, tunnels, and the famous entrance via drawbridge. All of this makes it one of the main symbols of the town of Jaca and the province of Huesca.
Impressive spaces inside
Upon arriving at its vicinity, what stands out the most is its imposing size. It is inevitable that one’s gaze is drawn to its spectacular – and unique – entrance with drawbridge. As one approaches, a fixed stone bridge can be distinguished, spanning part of the moat and connecting to the liftable section. Above the entrance door is the coat of arms of the House of Austria, leaving no doubt as to who ordered its construction.
Once inside the fortification, what is visible is a defensive guardhouse, adorned with weapons and uniforms from different eras. Further ahead, we encounter the first significant area: the bastions. Their emergence occurred in the Renaissance, driven by the need to advance defenses and the placement of artillery for the protection of each section of the wall. There are a total of five, each with its own name: Santa Bárbara, España, San Francisco, Santa Orosia, and San Pedro. They contain two casemates, which served the purpose of mounting artillery pieces.
Another prominent site within the Citadel of Jaca is the powder magazines, which played several fundamental roles. On one hand, they contained everything necessary to withstand a prolonged siege: water, food, weapons, and gunpowder. At the same time, they served as ventilation elements, maintaining a stable temperature within the fortification. In Jaca’s case, they are built into the north wall, between the main wall and the barracks.
The parade ground, the most impressive part
However, the parade ground is the most characteristic space and has the greatest impact among visitors. It is one of the hallmarks of the building. It is located in the central part and is the largest area. Surrounding it are the barracks and various buildings. It was the meeting point for troops and the stage where all kinds of ceremonies were held – ceremonies still take place there today. In the center, there is a sculpture honoring the figure of Philip II.
One of the main constructions surrounding this parade ground is the church dedicated to San Pedro. Inside, one can find a Romanesque style baptismal font and an altar that features a canvas depicting the Immaculate Conception, the patron saint of infantry.
In another of its barracks, one can find one of the jewels of the Citadel of Jaca, the Military Miniatures Museum. Unique in its kind, it boasts a collection of over 32,000 lead soldier figures distributed across 24 different dioramas. They represent the evolution of weapons, armed conflicts, and the most significant events from centuries past to the present day.
Other surrounding barracks feature various permanent exhibitions that can be visited: the “Army Awards” hall, the “Battle of Waterloo” hall, the Battle Hall, the “Military Healthcare” hall, the “Galicia 64 Regiment” hall, the “Mountain Troops” hall, and the “Military Mountain and Special Operations School” museum.
Visits for all audiences
To explore all of these areas, the Citadel offers a catalog of different types of visits that perfectly accommodate the interests of each visitor. The “common” visit, where everything mentioned can be seen, costs 10 euros, while the reduced rate is 6 euros. The “self-guided” visit costs 8 euros and 5 for the reduced rate. There are also “Pequevisitas” for children, “The Stone Memory,” a theatrical history, “Eco-citadel,” and “Animalandia.” Prices vary depending on the chosen visit and both their descriptions and prices can be found on the website.
Visiting the interior of the Castle of San Pedro is an essential task when coming to the Pyrenees. Its imposing size and preservation reflect the importance that the city of Jaca had in ancient times. Along with the Cathedral, they are two unique specimens worldwide, with their own styles that attract thousands of history-loving tourists.
