Mequinenza, municipality of Spain
Mequinenza is a municipality in Zaragoza Province where the Segre meets the Ebro River. The settlement consists of a new town built in the 1960s after the original community was flooded by two reservoirs, and is overlooked by a medieval castle perched on a hill above the water.
The area was first a Roman city called Octogesa and later settled by Berber tribes around 700 CE who built a small fortress. After Christian armies captured it in 1149, it became a strategic stronghold with a large castle rebuilt many times over centuries as the region remained contested in major conflicts.
The name Mequinenza comes from Berber tribes who settled the area during the Islamic conquest. Today, water sports and traditional Aragonese dishes made with river fish shape local life, with residents gathering in cafes to share stories and spend time together.
The best way to explore this place is on foot, as the new and old areas are relatively close and the layout is easy to follow. Visitors are advised to wear comfortable shoes, since the ground around the castle ruins is uneven and you spend time near the water where it can be windy.
The name Mequinenza is engraved on the Arc de Triomphe in Paris, marking its importance in Napoleon's campaign against Spain. The town was also known for wooden boats called llauts that transported coal down the Ebro, pulled by workers using towpaths along the riverbank.
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