Heading back to Xàtiva from Madrid in June, via the long, scenic route, I stopped for a couple of days in Calatayud. The town is incredible. It is filled with history, winding (often steep) streets and alleys, and interesting vistas. The town traces its origins to the pre-Roman period. The famous Roman poet and satirist Martial was from Bilbilis, the remains of which lie just a few kilometers from Calatayud.

In spite of my weak ankle, I wandered all around the town, explored its streets, churches, squares etc.

Some of the alleys were so steep they required stairs.

 

My sleeping arrangements were at a combination museum / restaurant / hotel called Mesón de la Dolores in an older part of the town.

 

 

 

 

My room was cozy and comfortable.

 

Of course my feet began to find their way up, up, up toward the castle.

 

 

 

 

There were wonderful views in all directions from on top of the hill as I walked around the castle.

 

 

 

 

And then I headed back down into town to see some more.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
There are several “mudajar” style towers in Calatayud. This style involves very ornate brickwork and is attributed to the Moorish influences on Spanish architecture.

 

 

Although the camera never seems to do justice to what we see with our eyes, my camera shutter was in a constant state of motion.

Even now, a half a year later, it is tough for me to choose which of the hundreds of pictures I took, should be on this page. (don’t forget that you can click on the pictures to see larger versions!)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Looking through my photos, I fell in love with the town all over again.

The church of San Juan el Real boasts a mudajar tower making it a visual delight on the outside. The inside is also beautiful, and includes some frescoes by Goya up high in a sort of triangular section framing the domes.

 

 

 

 

 

 

This plaque depicting Sant Jordi (Saint George) leaps from the wall.

My hotel was not the only one of interest in town. Each hotel I saw cried out, “stay here, stay here.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

Between the town and the rail station I stopped to take a picture of the Jalon river.

 

It is easy to get to Calatayud. High speed trains from Madrid to Zaragoza pass through Calatayud, and some stop there. There are many trains each day. As I waited for a train that would take me from Calatayud to Zaragoza, another train passed the other direction without stopping!