Located in the region of the Cinco Villas, Sos del Rey Católico is a territory bordering the region of Navarra, which is why it served as a natural fortress between the kingdoms of Aragón and Navarra during centuries of history.
Set on two promontories, the town of Sos del Rey Católico has one of the richest historical and cultural heritages in Aragón. For this reason, in 1968 it was declared a Historic Artistic Site by decree. In addition, the town of Sos del Rey Católico is considered one of the most beautiful villages in Spain.
Palace of the Sada family
Sos del Rey Católico is historically known for an event that marked the future of the town: the birth of Fernando the Catholic on March 10, 1452 in the Palace of the Sada. This monument is located on one of the two promontories on which the town sits.
The birthplace of Ferdinand II of Aragon houses the tourist office, the starting point of the many guided tours offered to learn more about the history of this village.
Sos, the scene of the filming of La Vaquilla
The town of Sos del Rey Católico witnessed the filming of the feature film by director Luis García Berlanga. La Vaquilla, a 1985 film, offers a vision of the Spanish Civil War through the comic plot of a group of Republican soldiers infiltrated in the rebel zone. If you walk through the streets of the village, you will discover the main scenarios where some of the scenes were filmed. All of them are marked with sculptures in the shape of a movie director’s chair.
In addition, if you want to find out more about this event in which the whole town was involved, in the Palacio de los Sada is the exhibition of La Vaquilla. Through various graphic and audiovisual material, it is possible to take a tour of the film and the impact it had on the town of Sosa.
Castle of Peña Feliciana
The other mound is Peña Feliciana, on whose hill the castle of the same name was built. The height that reaches this fortress served to reinforce the defensive line between the kingdoms of Navarre and Aragon. It was erected in the 12th century with the creation of the Crown of Aragon, when Ramiro I incorporated it into the incipient kingdom. Nothing remains of the original construction due to the various modifications it has undergone. The restored Torre del Homenaje is the most remarkable vestige that remains of the castle, as well as being one of the best viewpoints to contemplate the town.
Stroll through its cobblestone, narrow and medieval streets.
There is no better way to get to know a place than to wander through its streets in search of secrets hidden inside. The labyrinthine streets of Sos will lead you to unexpected places, each of them with a special charm. After a short walk, you will arrive at the Plaza de la Villa, one of the most beautiful medieval squares in Spain. Here is located the Town Hall or Casa de la Villa, a Renaissance style building built in the late sixteenth century and renovated during the nineteenth century in order to function as administrative headquarters of the municipal offices.
If you continue the route through the main arteries of the town, you will discover other medieval sites such as the Plaza Mayor, the town hall, the market and the great noble houses.
Discover the Romanesque art of the town
The Church of San Esteban is par excellence the most emblematic Romanesque jewel of Sos. The baptismal font inside the church witnessed the baptism of Ferdinand the Catholic. However, the real treasure of this artistic ensemble lies in its crypt. It is the most primitive structure built in the mid-11th century and its interior houses Gothic mural paintings.
Another monument that you can also visit if you are interested in Romanesque art is the church of San Martín de Tours.
Relax in the monastery and church of Valentuñana and its viewpoints.
Located just 2km from the town center, is the monastery and church of Valentuñana. This monument was built by the Discalced Carmelites at the end of the 17th century in order to live a community life with the Virgin of Valentuñana and to attend to the pastoral needs of the surrounding villages. However, the peace of the place was cut short when the French troops invaded Sos during the War of Independence. If you want to finish knowing the history of this monastery, do not hesitate to visit it and contemplate the views from the top.
In addition to the monastery, there are other viewpoints throughout the village where you can get a good panoramic view of the town. On many occasions, you will glimpse Navarra in the distance, with distinguished monuments such as the monastery of Leyre.
Savor the gastronomy of Sopicona
After an intense day wandering the streets and getting to know the rich heritage of Sos del Rey Católico, sit down to rest and taste the typical dishes of the area. Some of the recommendations are La Cocina del Principal, Vinacua, El Caserío and its Parador.
Before leaving, don’t forget to stop by the Delfín Puente Pastry Shop and delight yourself with their handmade chocolates. This stop is a must if you want to leave Sos with a good (and sweet) taste in your mouth.
