The Government of Aragón, through the General Directorate of Cultural Heritage, continues to advance in preparing the application for the Castle of Loarre as a World Heritage Site, with the development of a predossier regarding its viability and opportunity.
The General Director of Cultural Heritage, Gloria Pérez, presented the document this Friday at the 97th Meeting of the Historical Heritage Council, held this week in Rome by the Ministry of Culture. The agenda for the working sessions includes the status of projects listed in the indicative list for potential World Heritage candidates, among which is the Castle of Loarre.
In January, at the meeting of the Historical Heritage Council, the General Directorate of Cultural Heritage requested to keep the Castle of Loarre on the Spanish indicative list of projects to promote its candidacy for World Heritage designation. The castle has been on that list since 2007, with no necessary steps taken, although this government has initiated the procedures to promote its candidacy.
Thus, the General Directorate of Cultural Heritage commissioned the preparation of a predossier for the candidacy in order to analyze its viability and meet all the requirements that the ministry, and subsequently UNESCO, may request to obtain the designation, thus recognizing one of the most emblematic monuments of Aragón.
The castle has unique historical characteristics. Under state ownership but managed by Aragón Tourism, it was declared a Cultural Asset of Interest in 1906. Authorities seek to promote its candidacy as an emblematic representative of the border fortifications of the Reconquista. The predossier has already been submitted to Working Group 1 of World Heritage, expressing Aragón’s firm intention to continue with the process.
The document highlights its architectural solidity, excellent state of preservation, and authenticity. Its geographical location and connection to the geophysical environment make it an exceptional example of European medieval construction, representative of spaces intended for territorial defense and expression of power.
The Castle of Loarre bears witness to crucial historical events, especially the formation of the «Hispanic March» and the border dynamics between Christian kingdoms and Al-Ándalus. Its historical and heritage value positions it as a potential candidate for the World Heritage List, fulfilling criteria of exceptionalism and universality.
The Historical Heritage Council has evaluated various national plans related to cultural heritage, including risk management, archaeology, and research. Among the candidacies in process, the jota aragonesa stands out, with expectations for a resolution from UNESCO this year for its designation in 2026.
