Calatayud

municipality of Spain

Calatayud is a city in Aragon, Spain. It is located 85 km from Zaragoza and approximately 230km from Madrid. It is the fourth largest city of Aragon, after the provinincial capitals, Zaragoza, Teruel and Huesca. The population is around 18,000 and Calatayud is at an altitude of 530 metres on the river Jalon.

The city has a wide range of shops, bars, restaurants and accommodation. The mudejar towers of churches in the old city heart or casco are renowned. Dominating the skyline is a castle, parts of which date back to 850 AD. The Roman town, Bilbilis, lies four kilometres from the modern town.

Mujedar church towers in calatayud, Aragon

Understand

Get in

By car

Calatayud lies just off the main highway (A2-E90) between Madrid (2 hours) and Zaragoza (1 hour).

By plane

The nearest airports are Madrid (Barajas) and Zaragoza.

By train

Calatayud is served by regular high speed trains (AVE) from Madrid and Zaragoza.

By bus

Buses are available from Zaragoza.

Get around

The city is quite small and walkable.

By bus

There is a city bus service operated by Aragon Tours, who also offer services to surrounding towns and villages.

By train

RENFE offers a local rail service to towns between Ariza and Zaragoza.

See

Fortress (Qal’at 'Ayyūb), Calatayud

Many of the old churches are in the mujedar style. This style was developed by Muslim craftsmen who stayed in Aragon after the reconquest.

  • Church of Santa Maria. 15th century mujedar. 
  • Church of San Andres. 15th century mujedar. 
  • Church of St. Peter of the Franks (Iglesia de San Pedro de los Francos). Gothic and mujedar (updated Oct 2015)
  • Church-of Our Lady of the Rock. 16th century. 
  • Collegiate church of Santo Sepulcro. 17th century. 
  • Palacios of Sesé, Pujadas and Vezlope, renaissance style
  • Palacio of Baron de Warsage, neoclassic.
  • In the Arab Wall of the city, the Zaragoza gate.
  • Castle of Ayud or Castillo Mayor. 9th-10th century.
  • Old town hall. Plaza de Espana. The Old Consistorial House of Calatayud is a beautiful building of Renaissance style. It was modified in the 17th century, again in 1842.
  • Old Roman city of Bilbilis lies 4 kilometers to the north west of the modern city. Much excavation has been down and it is possible to see the size of this settlement which was the birthplace of the Roman poet Martial.

Do

Interior of Iglesia de San Pedro de los Francos
  • Visit Calatayud during Saint Roch fiestas in August.

Buy

There is a small market in 'Plaza España', several supermarkets and a range of other shops.

Eat

A wide range of restaurants are available. Amongst the most notable are:

Drink

Sleep

A wide range of pensions are available:

Connect

Go next

  • Monasterio de Piedra. A park, 40 minutes away by car, in a hidden gorge with waterfalls, cascades, fish lakes and a top class hotel, wine museum and restaurant.
  • Alhama de Aragon. A spa town with a hot lake, which is open for day visitors.
  • Jaraba Gorge. 7 kilometres of the natural gorge of the river Mesa, with pleasant walking routes.
  • Zaragoza, one hour away by car.
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