Saturday, May 10, 2025

The Iberian Wandering - Day 20: Jaca and Ainsa

Pretty good day today in spite of intermittent rain and overcast skies.  Martha also scored us killer lodgings for the next 3 nights!

We drove towards the Spanish Pyrenees region near the town of Ainsa.  On the way, we stopped in the city of Jaca to check out the Ciudadela or Citadel with its Military Figurines Museum.

Parking was next to the citadel grounds and free, provided by the city.  

The citadel had reenactors playing with the part of soldiers of earlier times:



Sentry walking post

Parade Grounds

Ready Room for the guards

The many rooms previously used by military units are now display areas for Army specialist units.

Hers a depiction of early Field Medicine soldiers.


Some inspirational artwork:


Some military historic art work:


Military equipment displays galore, mostly of elite Ski and Mountain units.

I don't think I've ever seen a snow "Gillie" suit before:


Mountain troops depended on their cargo mules for transportation of their heavy weapons and supplies:


One way or another, the gear is getting through!


There's a museum of military figurines in various battles/locations and eras.  Cool stuff, thousands of man hours invested in their hand painted existence.

Parading in front of Jaca Citadel

Carthaginian War Elephants 


Some of the displays were closer to our century:


Today's "moto" content, sort of.



One last scene, WWII German Armor...

As we walked back to the car:

Main Gate, note the sentry on duty

The Citadel is home (within the moat areas) to a small herd of deer.


We saw staff put out feed for the herd so tourists could see them.




An overhead view of the Jaca Citadel, from Google search:


I believe it's the only citadel of this design in Spain.

Next, after a coffee and croissant snack, we drove to the town of Aisin.

Lunch was in town, tasty pork cutlets with fries and a small salad.

Our lodgings were a 5 minute drive from town, up in the hills.  It looked a tad rustic at first but wow, the suite Martha scored for us was outstanding!



There's even a washer/dryer.

All Martha had hoped for was a nice sitting
area in a hotel common area.

As you can see, we really have no need to leave our suite.  It can rain all weekend and we'll be comfy.  Lots of room.

Oh, the view from our top floor suite:


Aisin's historic center


4 comments:

Oz said...

I am beginning to think Martha needs to design and arrange travel for people. The Citadel looks very interesting.

redlegsrides said...

She says it was all blind luck today...Oz. the citadel was pretty cool, worth the entry fee.

SonjaM said...

Love the accommodation. Please send me the address if you get a chance. I have to put it on my list once I get a chance to visit.

redlegsrides said...

Will do, SonjaM.