Discover Castiello De Jaca

Castiello de Jaca lies on the Aragonese section of the French Way of St. James. The Romanesque church of San Miguel and the trails through the surrounding landscape both shape the character of the town and help visitors choose it as a destination. Pilgrims starting at Somport reach Castiello de Jaca after Villanúa and continue on towards Jaca. The long-distance trails GR 65.3 Camino de Santiago and GR 15 Senda Prepirenaica also pass through the town.

San Miguel and the history of the relics

The Iglesia de San Miguel Arcángel stands in the highest part of Castiello de Jaca, on a rocky outcrop overlooking the Aragón Valley. The Romanesque church dates from the 12th century. Its single-nave layout and semicircular apse convey a simple, clearly articulated architectural form. Remains of a medieval fortress have also been preserved alongside the church.

The furnishings also bring together several periods: the main altarpiece dates from the late 17th century and was created by the brothers Juseppe and Francisco Ruesta. The relics are kept in a silver casket beside the tabernacle of the main altar. On the Camino de Santiago, Castiello de Jaca is known as the “Place of the Hundred Relics.” This name should be distinguished from the thousand relics honoured during the smaller patron saint festivities in July.

The Camino de Santiago and trails through the surrounding area

The Camino de Santiago provides a clear guide to the sequence of towns: those starting at Somport reach Castiello de Jaca via Villanúa and then continue on to Jaca. The GR 15 is also part of the local long-distance trail network. The two trail names therefore represent different hiking routes that meet in the town, without implying any particular route distance or walking time.

The routes listed by the municipality include the trail between Castiello de Jaca and Aratorés and the route from the Barranco de Redigüé to the Sierra de Angelé. Numerous excursions and mountain hikes are suitable for families and have a moderate level of technical and physical difficulty. These include local routes through the historic town centre and trails for exploring the forests. Details for the listed routes may change; check the latest information if you are planning a specific hike.

La Garcipollera on foot or by mountain bike

Castiello de Jaca is the natural, historical and geographical gateway to the Valle de la Garcipollera. The rivers Ijuez and Aragón meet in the town. From Castiello, the valley can be explored on foot along its tracks and trails; these same tracks and trails can also be used for mountain biking. So, alongside the pilgrimage route, there are other ways to get around, and the same level of difficulty should not be assumed for every route.

Festivals throughout the year

The smaller patron saint festivities in honour of the thousand relics take place on the first Sunday in July. The relics are also displayed once a year, on that first Sunday in July. The Romería de Santa María de Iguácel takes place on the second Sunday in July in the Valle de la Garcipollera. Another annual date is 29 September, when the patron saint festivities in honour of San Miguel Arcángel are celebrated. If you would like to plan your trip around one of these occasions, check the dates before making your plans.

Iguácel and the cultural surroundings

The Iglesia de Santa María de Iguácel is located in the Valle de la Garcipollera, at the same elevation as the town of Castiello de Jaca. Construction began between 1040 and 1050. The church was a pilgrimage site and a Benedictine monastery, and preserves Romanesque sculptures from the 11th century, including capitals, a column base and modillions decorated with plant, geometric and figurative motifs. It is protected as a Bien de Interés Cultural in the Monument category. Its location in the valley is therefore quite different from that of the Church of San Miguel in the highest part of Castiello de Jaca.

Discover more destinations: Estada, Bono, Lastanosa, Neril, Olsón, Peralta De La Sal, Fiscal, Tolva.

For the broader travel overview: Huesca.