In the villages of Aragon There is always a trace of everything that has gone through their lands: Iberians, Romans, Muslims, Christian kings, noble and travelers who left their mark in the form of castles, churches, mosaics, palaces or popular festivals. Each Aragonese town has a small pieces that live with the daily life and the most living traditions of the present.
A perfect example of that diverse legacy is Fraga, the capital of the Lower Cinca region. This city of Oscese retains Roman remains such as the Villa Fortunatus, an imposing Renaissance palace built on the old Arab Castle built at the end of the seventeenth century.
Villa fortunatus. Photo: Aragon Tourism
Even so, Fraga not only stands out for his architectural heritage, but also for his local culture, such as the day of the skirt or the figure of the painter Miguel Viladrich, closely linked to the municipality.
The Montcada Palace with Arabe History
What to do and what to do in Fraga
The Montcada Palace with Arabe History
The Montcada Palace is one of the most representative buildings in Fraga. Built at the end of the seventeenth century, this Sillerón house responds to the traditional typology of Aragonese Renaissance civil works. Its location is not accidental and it is that it is located next to what was the old Arab Castle, occupying part of the former residential palace of the lords of Montcada, lineage from which it takes its current name. Its restoration in 1986 made it a vibrant cultural center, with a library, auditorium, historical archive and a museum.
The Interior Museum houses a valuable collection dedicated to fraratin traditions and retains works by the renowned painter Miguel Viladrich. In addition, the exhibition extends through the tower that formerly worked as a prison, adding a unique historical attraction.
Visiting the Montcada Palace is a way of entering Fraga’s past and knowing its heritage from within. The visiting schedule is from Monday to Friday from 10 am to 1 pm and from 5 pm to 8 pm, and on Saturdays from 10 am to 1 pm.
What to do and what to do in Fraga
Fraga also has other architectural jewels that are mandatory stop but also, hiking can be done around, enjoy cultural routes such as the Catalan road to Santiago.
Church of San Pedro de Fraga
The Church of San Pedro de Fraga is the main temple of the city and an essential stop for those who seek to know their history and heritage. Built in the twelfth century by order of Ramón Berenguer IV in honor of his wife, Queen Doña Petronila, she won the ancient Arab mosque, thus marking the beginning of the Christian stage in the religious architecture of the city. Its original structure responds to the Romanesque style, although with the passage of the centuries it has incorporated Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque elements that can be seen in its decorative details.
Fraga not only stands out for his architectural heritage, but also for his local culture. Photo: Aragon Tourism
One of the most prominent elements of the Church of San Pedro is its majestic tower, which rises as a visual guide over the entire historical center of Fraga. Inside, capitals represent symbolic scenes of the eternal struggle between good and evil, a feature of medieval art. At the end of the 18th century a gallery and an eaves that complete the facade with a more solemn air were added.
Villa fortunatus
The Fortunatus villa, declared of Cultural Interest, is only 5km to the north of Fraga, next to the Pilaret de Santa Quiteria. This impressive Roman rural complex initially erected in the second century and was extended between the end of the III and early IVD.C., reaching a notable extension and local prestige.
The splendor of the town is evidenced in its decoration: luxurious musivary pavements in the central peristyle (about 17 × 20m) and in the adjacent galleries. Among the most prominent mosaics include the name of Fortunatus, fragments of an agricultural calendar with animals month by month, mythological motifs with Venus, Eros, psyche, and marine scenes in the “Aquarium”.
The Fortunatus villa is declared as a good of cultural interest. Photo: Aragon Tourism
After his abandonment, a part of the town was converted to Paleochristian basilica between the end of the fourth century and V, preserving a plant of three ships, baptistery and an apse. To arrange a guided tour, you can contact the Tourism Office of Fraga, which manages access to the site.
Castell de Fraga
Fraga Guarda: The Castell, popular name with which the old church of San Miguel is known. This building, in a Gothic style, was built between the end of the thirteenth century and the beginning of the XIV, and served as a parish until the arrival of the Carlist wars, when it was used as Castillo or Fortín. Since then, the fragatinos began to simply call it “El Castell”, making it one of the enclaves with the greatest symbolic load in the city.
During the first decades of the twentieth century, the painter Miguel Viladrich, closely linked to Fraga, chose this place to establish his residence. Fascinated by the light and landscape of Bajo Cinca, produced much of his work in this environment. Today, these paintings can be admired in the nearby Montcada Palace, where a good part of its artistic legacy is preserved. At present, the ancient Gothic Church has been involved by a modern structure designed by the architect José Manuel Pérez Latorre, which protects it and adapts to new uses without erasing its heritage value. You can visit Monday to Sunday from 10:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Catalan or path of Montserrat
The path of Montserrat or Catalan, once grouped in Lleida, crosses Aragon from east to west looking Saragossa to overcome the course of the Ebro, and to Huesca, to link with the traditional road in the direction of Santiago de Compostela.
The first branch enters Aragon through Tamarite de la Litera and the second by Fraga, along the way, highlights the Romanesque monastery of Santa María de Sijena, whose cover of 14 archivol is a unique architectural jewel. The Sariñena Lagoon also deserves a stop, considered a paradise for ornithology fans. From there, the traveler can continue to Huesca Or return to the Valley in the direction of Zaragoza crossing the Sierra de Alcubierre, a natural environment populated by pine and sabina forests that invites disconnection.
Skirt
The day of the skirt is the most representative party of Fraga and one of the most unique events in Aragon. Declared National Tourist Interest Festival, it is celebrated every April as a tribute to the Fragatina Woman and the local tradition. Its origin dates back to 1977, when it was organized for the first time to pay tribute to the last women who still dressed with saya, jubones, shawls and other elements of the typical suit: those known as gifts of skirts.
The central act of the day is the recreation of a fractine wedding, staged in detail according to the uses and customs of the past. The entire city becomes a living history parade, where the centennial clothing, traditional goldsmiths, fans, rosaries, embroidery shoes and period accessories stand out.
And if you visit the city, do not leave without trying its most emblematic sweet: the delicious Coc de Fraga, a rectangular cake of fine dough, made with flour, oil, sugar and yeast, which is characterized by its quince coverage in sheets and nuts.
How to get to Fraga
From Zaragoza
Zaragoza’s journey to Fraga is approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes for AP-2. The average price to go by bus is 17 euros and lasts 1 hour and 47 minutes.
From Huesca
The distance from Huesca to Fraga is 1 hour and 20 minutes for the A-22. Another option without a car is by bus that lasts 2 hours and 45 minutes and costs between 11 and 16 euros.
From Teruel
To get to Fraga from Teruel by car, it takes about 2 hours and 46 minutes for the A-23 and the AP-2. The cheapest way to go from Teruel to Fraga is by bus that costs between 25 and 40 euros and lasts 7 hours and 39 minutes.
