Garray – Numancia, the Duero and Culture

Garray combines archaeological history with a river landscape and cultural events.

Geographical setting

Numancia is located on the extensive, elevated hill of La Muela in Garray. To the west and southeast, the Duero and the Merdancho enclose Numancia and form natural trenches that provide isolation and protection. Numancia’s strategic location is connected with control of the ford across the Duero, where the routes from this area converge on the Ebro Valley.

Garray has an on-demand public transport service operated by the Junta de Castilla y León, with seat reservations, which serves the Garray–Soria route among others. Here, the historic landscape can be explored through its elevated location, the rivers and the old routes through the area.

For a stay in Garray, the travel period, room category and cancellation conditions can define the desired framework – regardless of whether the focus is on Numancia, the events, the Duero or the connection to Soria.

Culture

The Aula Arqueológica is housed in Garray’s former schools and has two rooms presenting the Celtiberian and Roman worlds. The Ermita de los Santo Mártires in Garray is an example of late Romanesque architecture in the province of Soria.

The stone bridge in Garray has sixteen pointed arches and was built in the 16th century over earlier bridges. In Garray, the Cañada Real Soriana Oriental has one of its strategic points because it crosses the Duero there. Interiors, sacred architecture, the bridge and the long-distance route represent different historical perspectives.

The different formats can be distinguished when planning: cultural events, historic buildings and activities on the water stand alongside one another as separate focal points. Those wishing to combine several of them can structure their stay according to the desired format and the date of the respective event. This keeps archaeological, architectural, culinary and landscape connections recognizable as different, specifically named ways of experiencing Garray. The selection can therefore distinguish between a fixed date, a historic visit and an activity on the river.

Water

There is a bathing area on the Duero in Garray. The 6 km-long Garray–Soria section is the section most frequently used by local kayakers. River bathing and a clearly designated kayaking route represent two different types of activity that you can consider separately when making your personal plans.

Events

Scenes from the Numantine Wars have been performed in Garray since 1999, with local residents taking part as actors. The theatrical presentation of episodes from the Numantine Wars has been scheduled for the last Saturday in July.

The International Week of Celtiberian Culture “KELTIBEROI” includes Celtiberian gastronomy days, guided tours of the archaeological site and routes through the area of the Cerco de Escipión in August. Gastronomy, archaeology and landscape appear in different event formats.

Other destinations in the selection: Valdelinares, Borobia, Almajano, La Losilla, Vildé, Barahona, Arévalo De La Sierra, El Espino

To the main travel overview: Soria.