2. From Jaca to Arrés – Camino de Santiago

This stage is not a difficult one and will mostly follow the body of the N-240 road.

There is an alternative route that will lead you to the San Juan de la Peña Monastery. This is a beautiful alternative, but it increases the camino by over 13 kilometers and it is not an easy walk, although the path is well marked.

If you walk the official route, the most interesting sight for today will be Arrés, a pretty village with a Gothic fortress and a nice baroque church.
2206 The church of Santiago which has a special service for pilgrims at 8 pm each day. It was very crowded, and the pilgrims are called up for a blessing at the end of the service

2207 Statue of Ramiro I who founded the kingdom of Aragon with Jaca as its capital

2208 The castle at Jaca

2209

2210 There is a turning around here to a steep mountain path leading to the monastery of San Juan de la Pena.

2211 The alternative (followed here) is to walk 13 km. on the flat, and then walk or hitch-hike (very easy) up the road from near Santa Cilia

2212

2214 Phantom photographer in the early morning light

2215

2216

2217 Beginning to get hot, and some welcome shade

2218

2219 Distant view of Santa Cilia and the road to San Juan de la Pena

2220 The Hotel Aragon at the turning has a very inviting swimming pool

2221 Carvings at the monastery of San Juan de la Peña 11th century

2226

2227

2228 First view of the cloister

2229

2230 The huge rockface overhanging the cloister

2231

2232 View back down the valley

2233 Fiesta in Santa Cruz de la Sera, the site of the most famous nunnery in Aragon

2234 Romaneque parish church

2235 Roadside fuente

2236 Back on the camino again after the diversion to the monastery

2237

2238

2240 Entering Santa Cilia

2241

2242 Pleasant side street with an excellent bar

2243

2252 The camino running alongside the road for a short section before Puente La Reina - caravan site with restaurant just visible on the right

2253 Leaving the road for a section through the woods

2254

2255 an excellent view of the bridge from which Puente La Reina gets its name. not to be confused with the much larger town of the same name near Pamplona

2256

2257

2260

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