Parador de Molina de Aragon

The Parador de Molina de Aragón and its town itself are straddled between three wonderful historic towns in Aragón and Castilla-La-Mancha. Siguenza, with its large and impressive cathedral and castle, is a great place for a day trip to explore the region further. Having fallen under Roman, Moorish and Castilian rule, the scope of architecture here gives a real insight into the age and prowess of this town, with its large historical Jewish population and medieval university, the latter of which was mentioned in Don Quixote. Albarracin is a quaint hillside village in the Aragonese countryside. Housed within its ancient walls are some of the country's best preserved Moorish buildings and we recommend visiting at dusk when the town comes alight with well-placed lamps and torches. Lastly, just south of Albarracin lies Teruel, another town known for its Moorish architecture which blends beautifully with the medieval buildings. Teruel is home to a famous legend of a star-crossed pair known as the 'Lovers of Teruel' whose tombs are forever joined at the hand in the Church of St Peter.

The culture and geography of this area is one of huge historical and natural significance. The Parador de Molina de Aragón is surrounded by the Alto Tajo national park which is replete with waterfalls, canyons and ancient rock formations, The area was formed in the Mesozoic period by an extinct glacier, whilst dinosaurs roamed the earth and has a rich archaeological history, as well as being a source of aragonite crystal. Nearby, the Museo de Molina offers a chance to explore the fields of palaeontology, archaeology and horticulture, and how these have played a key role in the history, economy and culture of the local area.

Located around 175 km from both Zaragoza and Madrid, the central location of this Parador invites you to explore the surrounding regions, Castilla-La Mancha and Aragon. The latter’s success as a huge military and royal power leaves it with a unique cultural identity that is evident in the formidable Castilla de Molina de Aragón, which overlooks the town and provides amazing views of the local area. Other sites around town that are worthy of a visit include the Puente Viejo (which crosses over the River Gallo), the Torre de Aragon, and the historical Jewish neighbourhood.

The town of Molina de Aragón also hosts a wealth of cultural festivals and celebrations throughout the year. The patron saint's day, El Cristo de las Victorias, is a week-long celebration in the first week of September, additionally the festival of El Carmen held each July is another religious festival which brings the whole town together. Another opportunity that is hard to miss is the Feria Medieval, which typically occurs on the third weekend in June. This is a celebration of the town’s past history and life, and is a celebration of the different cultures that have made their mark on the town.