Sos del Rey Catolico
I found Sos del Rey Catolico because a Parador is located there – we didn't end up staying in the Parador, but the town looked interesting and it was a good stopping point between the Basque Country and Zaragoza. We picked up a rental car in San Sebastian and drove east through Navarra, where we stopped for lunch in Pamplona (Iruna in Euskadi, which is also spoken in Navarra).
La Ruta del Tiempo, our alojamiento rural
Sos is a beautiful and well-preserved medieval town, incorporated in 1044 but in existence as a strongold since around 900. Its long name comes from Ferdinand II of Aragon ("el rey catolico"), who was born there in 1452. Present population is around 600, but it was quite busy in August, mostly with Spanish tourists. Unlike some tinier hamlets we visited, Sos had all the important services: a small health center, a school, a library and a sports center to name a few. Despite its small size, it has 4 defined barrios, one of which was the Jewish quarter (population 130 before their 1492 expulsion from Aragon and Castile by los reyes catolicos).
It was interesting to see how the residents collectively care for the town: our hotel host also runs a museum-shop and dispenses tourist information. Individuals swept the streets well beyond their own homes or shops; a (very worthwhile) paid tour was required to see the church and crypt interiors and the market square, creating work for a few citizens. The devotion to the town seems evident to me in this detailed blog about Sos, though I can't verify that it's written by a resident.
Views of the beautifully preserved and lovingly tended streets of Sos.
...
Late evening views of the town periphery and the countryside.
...
Details from around town: lion head mailbox | natural and man-made textures | the covered passage separating San Esteban from its crypt
...
This passage pops out into a small plaza with an expansive view of the countryside; the sanctuary entrance adjoins the meeting point of tunnel and plaza. Below, a view back to the passageway from the plaza, with the distinctive church entry to its right | The church portico frames a beautiful view of the countryside
...
We did a short hike to the Sierra de la Peña and got some beautiful views back to Sos. Ed and Henry ran back to watch Spain lose to Brazil in the Olympic soccer final.
...
The covered arcade just outside our hotel | Rural apartment living
...
Crossroads. Next stop, Zaragoza.
