Aragon-Borja, Moncayo, Teruel

In rainy weather, we leave La Rioja and head southwest. Our next accommodation is near Borja in Aragon. The middle section of the Ebro River runs through the plain of central Aragon, which encompasses most of the region.

Far away from mass tourism, we get to know a very authentic part of Spain here.

Wine is also produced in this region. However, we also see plantations with almond or olive trees. The area here is very sparsely populated and the wide landscape looks like an autumn-colored carpet.

We searched the internet for Spanish courses for foreigners. That's how we got in touch with Marta. She works as a language teacher in Borja. She taught us for three mornings. We have learned something new again. We realize once again that we still have a lot, lot to practice.

The Bardenas Reales is a desert area nearby. Our car is suitable for such excursions, and the driver enjoys the change of scenery.

We are impressed by the barren rock landscape and the tranquility.

The highest mountain here above the Ebro Valley is called Moncayo (2314 m above sea level). It is considered sacred and magical. The snow on its ridge enhances this effect even more.

In the Moncayo Nature Park, we discover a village clinging to the rocks, Purujosa, which is almost completely abandoned now in November.

We climbed the Torre Mudéjar de El Salvador and enjoyed a magnificent view of the city. A city full of history and stories.

Here lies Los Amantes de Teruel (The Lovers of Teruel). The tragic story of Isabel and Diego is portrayed every February. The whole city travels back to the 13th century and celebrates the wedding of Isabel (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QnOxWhJmwpk). Isabel marries Pedro because she was told that Diego had died in war. But the next day, Diego returns and, because Isabel refuses to kiss him as a married woman, he dies of a broken heart. At the funeral, Isabel kisses her lover and also dies on top of him. This is how the legend goes, and the mausoleum of the two unfortunate lovers, whose hands never quite touch, is visited by thousands of guests.

In the middle of Plaza del Torico stands a fountain with a mighty column, on which the small bull (torico) is almost invisible.

Elsbeth