In a new travel series called Pit Stop Spain, The Spanish Eye editor Laurence Dollimore visits the country’s lesser known towns, cities and sites that can be enjoyed in 24 hours or less.
One perk of being a roving reporter in Spain is being sent to new and interesting places – or, often, places you’ve never even heard of.
Last week, I was dispatched to a lesser-known city nestled in the very north of Spain to investigate the humble beginnings of Georgina Rodriguez.
The model-turned reality TV star had just revealed her engagement to billionaire footballer Cristiano Ronaldo (after almost 10 years of being together).
Her lifestyle with the Portuguese striker is filled with Birkin handbags, multiple homes, private jets and yachts.
And while it pales in comparison to the childhood she spent in Jaca, don’t be fooled, anyone would be lucky to grow up here.
Nestled in the heart of the Pyrenees, Jaca is one of Spain’s oldest and most storied cities, often referred to as the ‘pearl of the Pyrenees.’
Today, locals tell me, it’s a favourite destination for ‘posh Spaniards’ looking for a luxury weekend away or city break. In the winter, it plays hosts to ski fanatics visiting the many resorts nearby.
Its city centre is packed with decent bars and restaurants, with medieval structures dotted around to remind you of its rich history.
Intriguing history of Jaca
Its history stretches back more than two millennia, shaped by its strategic position on mountain routes that connected the Iberian Peninsula with the rest of Europe.
The origins of Jaca lie with the ancient Iberians and later the Romans, who recognised the town’s value as a crossing point through the Pyrenean valleys.
Known as Iaca in Roman times, the settlement became an important staging post along routes that linked Caesaraugusta (modern Zaragoza) with Gaul. Its early prominence laid the foundations for the city’s later role as a medieval hub.
The Middle Ages marked Jaca’s true ascent. In the 8th and 9th centuries, as the Christian kingdoms of northern Spain resisted Moorish control, Jaca’s location made it a defensive stronghold.
By the 11th century, under King Ramiro I of Aragon, Jaca was granted the title of the first capital of the Kingdom of Aragon.
This recognition transformed the town into a political, cultural, and religious centre. During this period, Jaca Cathedral was constructed – a Romanesque masterpiece completed around 1063, which remains one of the oldest and most important Romanesque cathedrals in Spain.
The cathedral also made Jaca a key stop along the Camino de Santiago’s Aragonese route, drawing pilgrims and fostering trade.
Jaca’s importance as a frontier town continued into the early modern era. Its position close to the French border meant it was frequently caught up in the struggles between Spain and France.
To defend against repeated incursions, the city saw the construction of the Ciudadela de Jaca, an extraordinary star-shaped fortress built in the late 16th century under Philip II.
This citadel, remarkably well-preserved today, stands as a symbol of Jaca’s strategic military role.
Throughout the 18th and 19th centuries, Jaca witnessed both decline and revival. The Napoleonic Wars brought devastation, while the Carlist Wars in the 19th century once again underscored its military significance.
In the 20th century, Jaca became associated with the fight for democracy: in 1930, the ‘Jaca Uprising’ attempted to overthrow the monarchy and establish the Second Republic, cementing the town’s place in modern Spanish political history.
Today, Jaca thrives as a cultural and tourist destination, celebrated for its Romanesque heritage, the citadel, and its role as a gateway to the Pyrenees.
Its history, spanning from Roman roads to medieval capitals and modern political revolts, marks it as one of Aragon’s most remarkable cities.
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