Molina de Aragón – Castle, Festivals and Geopark

Molina de Aragón lies in the heart of the UNESCO Global Geopark. The Parque Natural del Alto Tajo is located a few kilometres away. In the wider regional area of Molina de Aragón–Alto Tajo, the Río Gallo has carved a gorge with reddish rock walls, juniper trees, pine forests and distinctive geological features at the Barranco de la Hoz and around Cuevas Labradas.

Culture

The Museo Comarcal de Molina de Aragón is located in the cultural complex of the Convento de San Francisco at Plaza de San Francisco in Molina de Aragón. The museum is divided into six thematic rooms. The Torre de Aragón houses an interpretation centre whose tour explains the tower’s military function, everyday life and territorial organisation. The climb to the Torre de Aragón ends at a viewpoint overlooking the town centre, the Gallo Valley and the rest of the castle complex.

The Feria Medieval de la Convivencia de las Tres Culturas takes place annually on the third weekend of June in Molina de Aragón. It includes a craft market with more than 40 stalls, performances of the Cantar del Mío Cid, music, dancing, giant puppets and a medieval dinner. The Fiesta del Carmen is celebrated from 7 to 16 July with processions in which the Virgen del Carmen is carried by the Cofradía Militar del Carmen. It has the status of being of regional tourist interest.

The Monasterio de San Francisco hosts exhibitions, cultural activities and events. Molina de Aragón’s craft tradition includes basket weaving with willow branches, blacksmithing and bronze craftsmanship.

History

The original Alcazaba of the Castillo de Molina de Aragón was built in the 11th century on an ancient Celtiberian Castro. The outer wall of the Castillo de Molina de Aragón encloses both the old settlement and the fortress. In 1375, Molina changed its name from Molina de los Caballeros to Molina de Aragón.

The Jewish quarter preserves a medieval urban layout with narrow streets and traditional buildings. The archaeological findings at Prao de los Judíos document a continuous sequence beginning in the 10th-century caliphal period and continuing into the modern era.

More local pages: Sigüenza, Fontanar, Orea, Castejón De Henares, Jadraque, Cabanillas Del Campo, Poveda De La Sierra and Brihuega.

Nature

The Santuario de la Virgen de la Hoz can be reached from Molina de Aragón via the GU-958 towards Ventosa; there is a car park opposite the sanctuary.

Geographical Location

Molina de Aragón is one of the emblematic places along the Ruta de las Tres Taifas of the Camino del Cid.

The cuisine of Molina de Aragón includes Morteruelo and black truffles; the black truffle is considered one of the area’s gastronomic symbols.

For the higher-level travel overview: Guadalajara.