Built on a hilltop in Aragon, this Roman-founded city from 206 BC has a medieval castle, winding streets, and ancient churches amid the Zaragoza countryside.
Calatayud sits along the Jalón River in Aragon. Roman ruins and Moorish forts shape its landscape. Walk past the 15th-century Santa MarÃa bell tower, which twists upward from the site of an old mosque. Explore the stone walls of Castillo de Ayud, a ninth-century fortress that watches over vineyards growing Garnacha grapes. Four kilometers northwest, the uncovered Roman city of Bilbilis displays mosaic floors and a theater where poet Martial once walked. Between Madrid and Zaragoza, this town keeps its history alive through family-run bars serving lamb recipes perfected over centuries.
Key Sights and Buildings
Five brick towers built between the 1300s and 1500s define Calatayud’s skyline. The tallest belongs to Santa MarÃa church – climb its 70-meter tower to see patterns carved into the bricks by Muslim craftsmen. Inside the church, Gothic arches curve above walls decorated with intricate plaster designs. Visit San Pedro de los Francos, where kings once held meetings in vaulted rooms mixing pointed arches with Islamic patterns. Walk up the steep path to Castillo de Ayud’s main tower, built with local white stone that still shows marks from medieval attacks. Take the marked trail to Bilbilis to walk across original Roman streets and sit in a theater that held thousands during summer festivals.
Food and Local Specialties
Restaurants here prepare lamb roasted in wood ovens using methods passed down through families. Try Restaurante Casa EscartÃn for tender young lamb seasoned with garlic and mountain herbs. At tapas bars, order madejas – crispy fried lamb strips served hot on small plates. Local red wines made from Garnacha grapes pair well with these rich dishes. Along Calle Baltasar Gracián, newer restaurants experiment with dishes like smoked eggplant topped with creamy goat cheese. Finish with chocolate-dipped apricots or pears sold in bakeries near Calle Rúa de Dato.
Wine Areas Near Town
Vineyards grow on rocky hills between 550 and 800 meters high, where hot days and cool nights create bold red wines. Many wineries let you taste bottles made from gnarled vines older than 50 years. Look for red bottles labeled Calatayud Superior, which come from the highest vineyards. White wines here taste crisp with hints of lemon, while rosés smell like fresh berries. In September, villages like Villarroya de la Sierra host grape-stomping events and serve just-pressed juice alongside roasted meats.
Nearby Places to Visit
Drive 28 kilometers southwest to see Monasterio de Piedra, a 12th-century stone monastery. Forest trails here lead past waterfalls like Cola de Caballo, which drops 50 meters into a clear pool. The monastery’s restaurant cooks lamb stews in rooms with arched stone ceilings. Head northeast to Alhama de Aragón, where a natural thermal lake stays warm even in winter. Walkers can follow the Mesa River through Jaraba Gorge, spotting birds nesting in limestone cliffs. Those interested in ancient history should visit Segeda, where stone tools and old wine-making equipment sit among olive groves.
Transportation Tips
High-speed trains from Madrid-ChamartÃn reach Calatayud in 55 minutes, with regular connections to Zaragoza. The closest major airport is in Zaragoza, 85 kilometers away. Most shops and landmarks lie within the old town, which measures less than a kilometer across. Rent a car to reach Bilbilis or wineries beyond the town center. Local buses run to nearby villages, but morning and evening schedules work best for day trips. The tourist office on Plaza de Fuerte arranges group tours to major sites from April through October.
