ALBARACCIN, SPAIN. ONE MORE TIME.

When we first arrived in Albrachin, Spain , we just seemed compelled by the stunning first impression of the village that it was necessary to immediately share this with someone. We sent off some images to Nicola, accompanied by an appropriate timed cycling link,
Bikepacking the Spanish Lapland.

She replied aptly: GOODNESS GRACIOUS

Albarracin, Spain. Goodness gracious indeed. 

I think it’s impossible to singularly label a town. What I do know is that if Walt Disney was commissioned to dream and design some far-off Spanish fantasy land, this would be be the heart and soul. I write carefully, the main attraction.

The village is incredible for as much of what it doesn’t have as for what it has. Absent are our everyday telephone poles, hydro lines, heaven forbid (though rare in Spain thanks to traffic circles) a stoplight. The everyday trappings of modern city and street life, however hidden or disguised, have been relegated to another realm. There is hardly any construction imposing the usual distractions. For a town that is over a thousand years old, it seems oddly done. Where one would think that in the narrow and constricted laneways and passages there would be an endless collection of overflow,…all is neat and tidy.

At our off-season time of travel we are missing out on some foliage, a number of shops and businesses closed for their time of travel, a little sharpness in the air, but we have gladly  traded the hordes of rightfully visiting tourists crowding the now empty and quiet streets that we stroll. Spoiled and grateful we are.

Yes there are citizens living here, about one thousand, but seemingly in respect there is a fringe community with the necessary mercado, bakery, ….. There’s almost a sense of look but don’t touch.  

How does one tell all to come and visit this rarity and at the same time feel a slight tinge that after a thousand years it should be left in its own peace. This place seems to command respect. Here is no better place to walk quietly, trudge lightly. 

And as this place is, I believe it was Walt who said: “It’s fun to do the impossible”