If
you were invading Spain from France (or indeed, vice versa) you might
use the Canfrank pass as it is relatively easy, although the easiest
routes are at either ends of the Pyrenees range. Today it is a
regular Camino route into northern Spain for those on their way to
see the bones of St.James. For me it is one of the most direct roads
between home in SW France and Valencia.
Shortly
after crossing the Spanish border you will reach the town of Jaca
(pop 13,000). The
Jaca Citadel is a pentagonal fortification built at the end of the
16th century in the reign of Philip II and was the first castle in
Spain to be built to defend against cannon-fire with low thick walls
a la Vauban style. It was built to defend against French invasion as
this was before the Bourbon change of dynasty. It is still complete
with moat, bastions, scarps, barracks, arsenal and tunnels, as well
as a beautiful entrance with a drawbridge.You can walk around the
park that surrounds the citadel and see the deer that now live in the
moat. Although there are several castles of this design in Europe
this is the best preserved as its never been the subject of a formal
seige, although it has been captured. Souchet captured it in 1808
(one suspects by stealth) and Mina recaptured it in 1814 from the
retreating French.
The
citadel is still the headquarters for the Ski and Mountaneering
Division of the Spanish army and Jaca has a large barracks to the
north of the town. The Citadel also houses the Museum
of Military Miniatures,
with its collection of over 32,000 lead figures exhibited in 23
historic scenes and showing the development of weapons, uniforms and
fighting tactics from the time of the Pharaohs to the early 21st
century! Well worth a visit (more pictures soon).
