Text here is taken from the brochure from Amawalkers
The path to the medieval village of Castillo de Jaca forks at the entrance of Villanua. Exit Villanua at the modern part taking the N-330 road until kilometre 656, where you turn right and by forest roads along the hillside with beautiful views get to Castillo de Jaca by the highest part of the town.
The alternative route on the GR65.3.1 is on the left into the village (7.3 km) and is more strenuous than the alternative on the right. It is not as well marked, but the stretch is more enjoyable as it runs along the same valley to Jaca. The disadvantage is that it follows the N330 for about 3 km. The path curves around to the right next to the N330. After about three-quarters of an hour, it crosses the N330 at the right-hand turn-off to San Adrian, Aratores, and Borau and leaves the road as a small gravel path soon shaded by trees. Half an hour later you reach the upper village of Castiello de Jaca.
Castiello de Jaca, situated on the Pyrenees rocks, has been declared a Historical Artistic Heritage Site. It was first recorded in 1042 and is now an attractive village with streets lined with delightful stone houses. It is worth spending time exploring this beautiful village. It has a Romanesque-Gothic church of San Miguel and some remains of an 8thC Moorish fortress, and a calle Santiago, lined with old houses, some with traditional conical chimneys. There is a bar here.
The Camino follows the drovers’ road (cabañera) from Castiello on a short and picturesque walk (7.5 km) to the ancient pre-Roman settlement town of Jaca, the first large town medieval pilgrims would have come to when walking into Spain. The Pyrenees are now behind us although they will dominate the views to our right for some days yet. There is a short steep climb up to the outskirts of Jaca, which lies on a high plateau, and then a fairly long walk into the town.
Jaca is one of the oldest cities in Spain and was an important pilgrim halt on the way to Santiago. A bustling provincial town, Jaca has a magnificent Romanesque cathedral and the pentagonal Citadel of Jaca which dates from the 16th century. It was started by Philip the second in 1595 and built as protection against the French with an impregnable star-shaped design. Today it serves as the barracks for a branch of mountain hunters. Jaca is the cultural highpoint of the Camino Aragones (together with San Juan de la Pena) and it is the first real city and the largest, you will encounter on this route.
On a charming pedestrian street in the historic city centre, this modest hotel is a 1-minute walk from the Romanesque Jaca Cathedral and 3 minutes' walk from the star-shaped Ciudad la de Jaca fortress. Complimentary breakfast, a casual restaurant, plus an airy tapas bar/cafe with a sidewalk terrace.
The Romanesque cathedral of Saint Pedro founded in 814 but largely dating to 1063 was the first Romanesque cathedral of any importance in Spain. Jaca Cathedral is the first cathedral built in Spain, founded in 1058 by Sancho, king of Aragón and Navarre. This pilgrim church was built under the influence of the Benedictine monastery of Cluny in France. The church has many wonderful sculptures (capitals and timpani) made by the Maestro de Jaca between 1065 and 1080. In the cloister, there is a superb museum with Romanesque frescoes and sculptures from hermitages and churches in the Jaca area. There is also the Church of Santiago's which celebrates a daily mass for Pilgrims at 8 pm
In Jaca we booked into our hotel and went for lunch. After lunch, I had a shower and a snooze. We went to visit the local church. On the steps leading into the church I slipped and broke my leg.
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