The Castle of Montearagón stands in Quicena, near Huesca, Aragon, Spain. Is it just a place of worship? No, it is a Romanesque fortress-monastery designed for both prayer and defense. Why build something so heavy? Because some things require walls to keep the world out.
In 1094, King Sancho Ramirez reinforced the Castle to assist with the siege of the Muslim stronghold of Wasqah. Did he think he was safe? He was reconnoitering the city's walls when a stray arrow ended his life. Is there anything more ironic than dying to a random piece of wood while trying to be brave?
Wasqah eventually fell in 1096 by Peter I of Aragon. How did he manage that? He defeated the relief forces in the Battle of Alcoraz.
What remains today? The site is in ruins. Is it still important? Yes, it holds the title of Bien de Interés Cultural and is protected by the Gobierno de Aragón.
Sources: Wikipedia, OpenStreetMap, Wikidata, Wikimedia Commons
Written by Nicolo Ciampini
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