Citadel of Jaca

The Citadel of Jaca is a five-sided fortress with five bastions, thick defensive walls, and a moat surrounding it. The structure was built to stand up to artillery attacks during the 16th century.

Italian engineer Tiburcio Spannocchi built this fortress between 1592 and 1595 under Philip II's command to protect the Spanish-French border. The project took place when military design had to adapt to defend against modern artillery.

The fortress houses a military miniatures museum with thousands of lead figures depicting historical battles and military scenes. This collection lets visitors see how different periods and conflicts were represented through detailed tiny models.

You can explore the bastions, gunpowder magazine, ventilation areas, and parade ground, usually through guided tours. The site is spacious, so plan enough time to walk through and see everything at a relaxed pace.

This is one of the best-preserved military fortresses from its time in Europe, keeping its original structure with the moat, barracks, arsenal, and tunnel system intact. The nearly unchanged layout helps visitors understand how a Renaissance military installation actually worked.

Location: Jaca

Inception: 1592

Architects: Tibúrcio Spannocchi

Architectural style: Renaissance architecture

Part of: French Way in Aragon

Website: https://ciudadeladejaca.es

GPS coordinates: 42.57247,-0.55228

Latest update: December 7, 2025 20:43