Jaca, Mountain municipality in Huesca Province, Spain
Jaca is a municipality in Huesca Province, Spain, located along the Aragón River in a valley surrounded by the Pyrenees mountains. Medieval walls still enclose parts of the historic center, while newer neighborhoods extend along main roads and toward the ski resorts.
After its reconquest by King Sancho Ramírez, the settlement became the first capital of the Kingdom of Aragon in 1077 and held this status until 1096. Its strategic location near the border made it an important defensive point against Muslim forces.
The name Jaca comes from the Arabic Dyaka and reflects the changing influences this region experienced over the centuries. Today, narrow streets in the old town and well-preserved stone buildings shape the character of a place that serves as a stopping point for pilgrims walking the Camino de Santiago.
The town is about an hour by car north of Huesca and roughly two hours from Zaragoza. Hikers and skiers use the town as a starting point for trips into the surrounding mountains and valleys.
In winter, the surrounding area turns into a popular destination for winter sports enthusiasts, with several ski resorts located less than 30 kilometers away. This proximity to the slopes has made the town a meeting point for vacationers and locals who want to combine mountain sports with a historic setting.
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