National Geographic says: these four towns in Aragon are among the most curious in Spain

Aragon can boast of having some of the coldest towns in Spain, as well as others with heritage, tourist attractions or nature that have earned them recognition here and there. However, what many people may not know is that four towns in Aragon are among the most curious in Spain. We are not the ones saying this, but the National Geographic magazine, which, a few months ago, compiled a list in which it gathered “the essential destinations of an extravagant and fun atlas through which to travel the length and breadth of the country.”

And in Aragon there are some of those curious towns in Spain, from the one with the most bars per inhabitant and square meter to another where if you are not careful you can see the odd witch . These charming towns in Aragon are none other than Camarena de la Sierra, Trasmoz, Roda de Isábena and Sallent de Gállego. All of them have particularities that make tourism in them, to say the least, surprising.

CAMARENA DE LA SIERRA

With just a hundred inhabitants, Camarena de la Sierra is known for its privileged location at the foot of the Sierra de Javalambre, a paradise for lovers of hiking and winter sports. It also stands out for its tranquility and a natural environment in which to disconnect, but none of that is what makes it special.

The town of Teruel has a rather special relationship with water and, above all, with fountains. In fact, there are a total of 100 registered , almost more than there are inhabitants. Another curious fact is that these have very original names such as Agua Buena, Peral, Blanquilla, Matahombres, la Miel or Cabrito. As reported by National Geographic, traditionally all of them were fed by rainfall but currently there are some that do not even produce water.

Whatever the case, touring Camarena de la Sierra through its fountains is a very original way of exploring a place that is perhaps unknown to many.

TRASMOZ

Lovers of mystery and witch stories, and those who are not but are curious, find Trasmoz an unmissable destination. It is not every day that one has the opportunity to be in the only town in Spain excommunicated by the Catholic Church and the setting of some of Bécquer’s most famous verses.

In them, specifically in ” Letters from my cell “, the poet alluded to Trasmoz’s relationship with witches and ghosts in his verses. This town at the foot of Moncayo has a fascinating history marked by its reputation as a “cursed” place, which has earned it a special appeal among the curious and lovers of the esoteric.

Its castle, which dominates the village, was the scene of legends that linked it to witches and magic rituals. Every year, the village celebrates the Witchcraft Fair, an event that attracts numerous visitors interested in reliving these stories.

RODA DE ISÁBENA

Anyone who has ever visited Roda de Isábena is able to admire that this is one of the most charming towns in Aragon. Its medieval air, its cobbled streets and its cathedral are some of the attractions that make it an unmissable destination. And it is precisely the cathedral that places it on the National Geographic list, as it is the smallest in all of Spain, which is not surprising considering that the town only has 44 inhabitants.

Considered the oldest in Aragon, and at the same time the smallest in the national territory, the cathedral of Roda de Isábena, also called the Cathedral of San Vicente, is considered one of the most beautiful monuments in the country. In fact, this 2024 marks 100 years since it was declared a National Monument, as an Asset of Cultural Interest and Historical Heritage of Spain.

A fascinating curiosity about Roda de Isábena is that, despite being a small town, it was an episcopal seat in the 10th century, which gave it significant historical relevance at the time. In addition, the cathedral has a mysterious theft in its history: in 1979, a thief stole several valuable pieces, including unique manuscripts, leaving a mark on the collective memory of the place.

SALLENT OF GALLEGO

Beyond the heritage, the cathedrals and those stories of witches and excommunications, the last curious town on the National Geographic list is on the list for something that everyone likes: the bars. Sallent de Gállego can boast of having plenty to choose from when it comes to bars and it is the town in Spain with the highest concentration of bars per inhabitant. Specifically, 15.74 establishments per 1,000 inhabitants according to the study ” Blessed Bars in Data “, carried out by the Spanish Federation of Hospitality and Coca-Cola.

Beyond this curiosity that makes it an essential destination for gastronomy lovers, Sallent de Gállego has a special charm. What stands out most is the natural enclave in which it is located with the Lanuza reservoir and surrounded by nature and mountains. The parish church of the Assumption, in Gothic style, and the Medieval Bridge are the main architectural landmarks of the town.