In ancient Aragon there is Zaragoza, land of wine and history

The region of Aragon holds the essence of ancient Spain. A land that resonates from history texts evoking kingdoms, conquests, cultures and peoples, and that has managed to preserve a strong and authentic identity. A glorious past whose flavour can even be savoured thanks to Garnacha, a native grape variety that has its roots in the centuries. The journey through Aragon begins in its capital, Zaragoza, an ideal starting point for discovering the historical, landscape and food and wine treasures of a region to be experienced and savoured. Because Zaragoza is also recognised today as the world capital of Garnacha, a testament to the territory's relationship with this intense and ancient wine. Situated in a strategic position between Madrid and Barcelona, ​​Zaragoza is easily reached from Italy with direct flights.

The Cathedral of Teruel_Erika Scafuro

Zaragoza reveals itself as a city of harmonious contrasts, always accompanied by the whispers of the cierzo, the famous wind that blows from the northeast, and the flow of the Ebro River. Founded by the Roman emperor Caesar Augustus who gave it his name, Caesaraugusta, in over two thousand years of history has been a place where four cultures coexisted, Roman, Muslim, Jewish and Christian, which gave rise to the monumental heritage, a variety that has made it a dynamic and welcoming city. To grasp the soul of Zaragoza it is essential to reach the emblematic Plaza del Pilar on which two cathedrals stand: the Basilica of Our Lady of the Pillar and the Seo, the cathedral of San Salvador. The first, an imposing treasure of Aragonese baroque art, is linked to the Virgin of the Pillar, a pillar of about thirty-five centimeters which tradition says arrived from Jerusalem on January 2, 40 AD; considered an international Marian pilgrimage center, the basilica experiences the greatest popular participation every October 12 with the offering of flowers to the Virgin of Pilar, a procession in which people must wear the traditional clothes of their Spanish region. The basilica houses magnificent frescoes by Francisco de Goya and, from the top of one of its four towers, you can admire panoramic views of the city and the Ebro River. The nearby Cathedral of Salvador, also known as La Seo, is older and stands on the ruins of the ancient Roman forum and the Muslim mosque. Today this building, the first Christian cathedral in Zaragoza, is an example of different artistic styles ranging from Romanesque to Baroque, from Mudejar - the 14th-century style resulting from the coexistence of Muslims and Christians - to Gothic to Renaissance, and boasts a rich heritage including the spectacular Mudejar exterior wall, made of bricks and glazed ceramics, of the adjacent Parroquieta de San Miguel Arcángel. The journey through the different historical eras that have characterized Zaragoza continues in the Aljafería, the Palace of Joy, the current seat of the Parliament of Aragon, an 11th-century fortress where you can rediscover the thousand-year-old architectural history of the city.

Garnacha Vineyard_Campo de Borja_Erika Scafuro

In Zaragoza, the historical and cultural charm is combined with the food and wine theme of Garnacha wine, one of the five most popular grape varieties in the world. An ancient native Aragonese vine that adapts well to the low rainfall and very windy climate, a wine that has become one of the pillars of the excellent gastronomic panorama of Aragon, which boasts four wine denominations of origin, the first three of which are found in the province of Zaragoza: Campo de Borja, an area of ​​vineyards at the foot of Moncayo, the highest mountain in the Sistema Ibérico mountain range, where we recommend a visit to the Bodegas Aragonesas winery to taste excellent wines; Cariñena, one of the wine-growing areas with the richest tradition; Calatayud, which extends between hills and plateaus up to a thousand metres; and Somontano. Zaragoza, recognized as the World Capital of Garnacha, has become a point of reference for this wine, enhancing its cultural heritage by organizing themed events - from May 30 to June 8, the first edition of the Garnacha Festival was held; visits to wineries and vineyards; food and wine experiences and the creation, in the heart of the city, of the ornamental vineyard Giardino della Garnacha. Aragon also reveals itself through the flavors of its cuisine, which combines all the excellences of its territory. In addition to the fine Garnacha wines, the Ternasco lamb from Aragon, the Teruel ham, the oil from Lower Aragon and the Sierra del Moncayo also have the denomination of origin. Among the tastiest and most special products are borage, black truffle, Jiloca saffron and a wide variety of local cheeses. Zaragoza is known for Tubo, the area dedicated to tasting tapas, the central market, and restaurants that skillfully combine traditional flavors in cutting-edge culinary experiences, such as La Clandestina or La Flor de Lis. The city is also famous for its chocolate tradition, it was in 1534 that the monks of the Monasterio de Piedra received the first cocoa; among the local delicacies is the Frutas de Aragón, candied fruit covered in chocolate, the authentic one can be purchased at the historic Fantoba pastry shop.

Albarracín_Erika Scafuro

For a charming stay in the heart of Zaragoza, there is the boutique hotel Avenida. The journey through Aragonese culture and food and wine continues in the province of Zaragoza with a visit to the Monasteiro de Veruela, the first Cistercian monastery in Aragon, which currently also houses the wine museum; famous for the popular Cipotegato festival held on August 27, the town of Tarazona invites you to visit its historic center and the Cathedral of Santa María de Huerta, a unique example of Gothic, Mudejar and Renaissance heritage. For a special stay in the area, there is the Belbuente Castle, a 10th-16th century palace-castle completely restored and rich in history, where guests meet the Spanish writer Luis Zueco, manager of the structure. After leaving the territory of Zaragoza, the journey continues towards another province of Aragon, that of Teruel, where culinary excellence tells ancient stories. Like that of the Sierra de Albarracín dairy which, since 2006, following the tradition of local shepherds, has produced delicious and award-winning artisanal cheeses. It is also thanks to this product that you discover Albarracín, one of the most beautiful villages in Spain, a medieval and Muslim architectural legacy of great charm; for a gourmet stop in this village there is the El portal restaurant. Before leaving Aragon, the suggestion is to go as far as Teruel to admire the incredible heritage of the Mudejar style which, in this town, is expressed through its exceptional towers and the precious coffered ceiling of the Cathedral of Santa María de Mediavilla, but the town also enchants for the legend of its lovers, to whom a mausoleum is dedicated to visit. A journey through beauties, stories, tasty flavors and the intense aroma of Garnacha.