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Aragon autonomous community. Regions of Spain: Aragon

A small county called Aragon arose between the Aragon River and its tributary Aragon Subordan in 828 and before the beginning of the 11th century. was part of the kingdom of Navarre. However, the Aragonese nobility was distinguished by considerable solidarity and class pride. “We, who are worthy just like you, make you our King and Senior to protect our rights and freedoms, and if not, then no,” was the text of the oath of allegiance that the noble Aragonese brought to their kings, whom they chose.

In 1118, Aragon captured Zaragoza, which at that time belonged to the Muslims. King Alfonso I gave the Muslims one year to leave the city, and became the capital of the Kingdom of Aragon. Queen of Aragon Petronilla (1136-1173) married the Count of Barcelona and thanks to this dynastic union, the Aragonese Crown arose, a union of several states, which in the XIV-XV centuries. occupied a significant part of the territory of modern Spain and southwestern France, as well as several large islands in. The marriage of Ferdinand II of Aragon with Isabella I of Castile, concluded in 1469 in Valladolid, later led to the unification of the kingdoms. This was the beginning of the formation of a united Spain. It was Ferdinand and Isabella who sent the expedition of Christopher Columbus (1451-1506) in 1492, which discovered the New World.
One of the most famous natives of Aragon is the painter Francisco Goya (1746-1828). His native village of Fuendetodos is just an hour's drive from Zaragoza. If you get to know Aragon better, you will understand that only here such a temperamental and proud genius as Goya could have been born.
You can talk endlessly about the romanticism of the Aragonese. Here in the city of Teruel, in the church of San Pedro, there is one of the most visited places by tourists, the Mausoleum of Lovers Mausoleo de los Amantes. The "Lovers of Teruel" Isabel de Segura and Juan Diego de Marsilla, who lived in the 13th century, are buried here. Isabel's parents refused to marry their daughter to poor Diego, but agreed to wait five years so that the young man could get rich - and after five years he returned to his hometown a rich man. But... only one day late - Isabel got married. Diego died at her feet, and the day after his funeral, she died too. The townspeople, touched by this story, decided to bury the lovers together.
Another "brand" of Aragon is the dance-song jota, which originated here around the 18th century. And already in the XIX century. Russian composer Mikhail Glinka (1804-1857) visited Spain and wrote Jota of Aragon (1845).
The Aragonese language has also survived. True, no more than 30,000 people speak real Aragonese in Aragon today. After the unification of Aragon and Castile, the language of the Aragonese aristocracy quickly became the Castilian version of the Spanish language, and which arose in the 7th-8th centuries. from popular Latin, the Aragonese language was pushed to the periphery. The revival and preservation of the Aragonese language began already in the 20th century.

general information

Aragon, an autonomous community within the Kingdom of Spain.
Form of government: a constitutional monarchy.
Administrative-territorial division: 3 provinces - Zaragoza, Huesca and Teruel.
Capital: Zaragoza, 701,090 people (2010).
Ethnic composition: Aragonese, Catalans, Basques, French, other nationalities.
Language: Spanish (Castilian Aragonese, Catalan).
Religion: Catholicism, Islam, other religions.
Currency unit: Euro.
Largest cities: Zaragoza, Huesca, Teruel.
The most important airports: Zaragoza airport.
Major rivers:, Arba, Aragon, Gallego, Noguera, Alcanadre, Halon, Huerva, Guadalope.
Major lakes: vdkhr. Yesa, vdhr. Canelles, vdhr. Mekinens.
Neighboring countries: France also borders the autonomous communities of Castile-La Mancha, Castile and León, Catalonia, La Rioja, Navarre and Valencia.

Numbers

Area: 47,719 km2.
Population: 1,269,027
Population density: 26.6 people / km 2.
highest point: Aneto peak, 3404 m.

Climate and weather

Intermediate between Mediterranean and continental, temperatures largely depend on altitude.
The coldest areas are in the Pyrenees.
January average temperature: +6.3ºС. July - +24.5ºС.
Average annual rainfall: 317 mm (Zaragoza)

Economy

■ GDP per capita is above the Spanish average.
■ Developed agriculture, cultivation of wheat, barley, winemaking, animal husbandry.
■ Food industry, machinery industry, electronics industry, iron ore and coal mining, aluminum production, hydroelectric power, chemical industry.
■ Service sector: exhibition activities, tourism.

Attractions

■ Zaragoza: Catedral de San Salvador, Basilica of Nuestra Señora del Chilar, Museum of Foro de Caesaraugusta, Museum of Tuerto Fluviap de Cearaugusta, Stock Exchange building, Ibercaya Museum, Center for the History of Zaragoza, ruins of the Roman theater in Plaza de San Pedro, Zaragoza Museum, Pablo Gargallo Museum. Arguillo Palace, Aljaferia Palace, Casco Viejo Museum, Church of Santiago, Fasetas Monastery, Pilarista Museum, Museum of Religious Art Sacristicus Mayor, Condes de Morata Palace;
■ City of Sos del Rey Catolico;
■ Museum of Wine in Cariñen;
■ Huesca; Old Town (Casco Viejo), Cathedral, Dioseano Museum, Huesca Museum, Loarr Castle;
■ The town of Alquezar.
■ Teruel: the historical part of the city, the cathedral of La Catedral de Santa Maria de Mediavilla, the bell tower of the Torre de San Martin, the stairs of La Escalinata, the church of Iglesia de San Ledro, the tower of the Torre de San Salvador. Los Arcos Aqueduct, San Francisco Gothic Church, Castillo de Alambes, Palacio Episcopal Palace (Museum of Ecclesiastical Art), Teruel Museum, Mausoleo de los Amantes.
■ Ordesa-Monte Perdido National Park.

Curious facts

■ Zaragoza is considered by many to be the "most Spanish" city in Spain. And this city was founded in 24 BC. e. by the Romans under the name of Caesarius Augusta. Zaragoza is a distorted ancient name of the once Roman city, from which many picturesque ruins remain.
■ The famous Aragonese cheese "Queso de Tronchon", which is made from a mixture of sheep's and goat's milk, is mentioned in the "encyclopedia of Spanish life" - the novel "Don Quixote".

It is an autonomous community in Spain, which is located in the northern part of the country. The patron saint of the community is called St. George, his day is celebrated on April 23. In terms of area, Aragon ranks fourth among all Spanish regions. It is here that the highest mountains stretch, separating Spain from neighboring France.

During the Middle Ages, Aragon was an independent kingdom, which imposed obvious power, since it dictated its rules to other regions located on the Mediterranean. This community is very attractive for tourists with its contrasts in nature, since there are many mountains and protected areas, it is in Aragon that you can see such animals that have not lived in other European countries for a long time. This region is also interesting because, despite the small population, over 40 nationalities live here, and each of them was able to preserve its own culture and traditions.

You can get to Aragon by plane, as there is an airport in the capital of the community (the city of Zaragoza). And already from the airport in different ways you can get to the cities of your choice, this can be done by bus, train, taxi or rented car.

Aragon Map

Climate

It is believed that the region has a climate between continental and Mediterranean. However, it should be noted that in a community, places can differ quite a lot in their microclimate, since there are many mountains in Aragon. As a consequence, temperatures also vary greatly depending on the altitude of the place. For example, if we take the Ebro Valley, then in the winter months the weather there is very mild, and in summer the temperature can reach +40 degrees. In areas that are located directly in the mountains, winters last longer, while the temperature there is lower by an average of 10 degrees.

Attractions

There are many historical and architectural monuments here. For example, in Teruel, which is one of the 3 largest cities in the region, a cathedral was built with interesting bell towers, it is also worth visiting the churches of St. Martin and St. Peter, the Church of the Savior. Mountain ranges surround the city, and on these ranges you can see many abandoned settlements, as the inhabitants left them in search of better places to live.

A large number of attractions in San Pedro El Viejo. This city also has an interesting cathedral, which was built in the 13th century, there is also a town hall dating back to the Renaissance, as well as an old university. On the banks of the river of the same name with the region, there is the city of Jaca, where the Aragonese royal family likes to visit, there is the following cathedral, built in the distant 10th century.

Zaragoza is the capital of the community and at the same time one of the most beautiful cities in the region. Once it was surrounded by white walls, there was an incredible number of cathedrals and palaces, unfortunately, few of them remained after the French invaded this territory. The architecture of the city is dominated by the Mudéjar style. The main attraction is the Aljaferia Palace, which was built in the 11th century as the residence of the rulers of the Moors. Near Zaragoza there is a “wine road” and a Wine Museum, as well as monasteries, a number of villages that King Felipe 5 granted to military commanders who distinguished themselves in the war. In addition, there are churches, castles and in general many colorful small towns.




Entertainment and nightlife

Near the capital of the community there is a large Natural Park, this is truly a green island in the country. During the walk you will see meadows where wild violets and daffodils grow, there are also other plants from the Red Book. In general, there are a lot of national parks in the region, so you can have a great time exploring them on foot or cycling around.




There are many thermal and mineral springs in Aragon, so people come here for beauty and health. Even the legionnaires of ancient Rome and the Moors were treated and restored their health in these parts. At all balneological resorts, a medical and preventive base has been created that corresponds to the latest trends in science.

In Zaragoza, the center of nightlife is the El Tubo zone, where the best bars and restaurants of the capital are located. Other areas offering all kinds of entertainment are El Rollo, La Sona, El Ambiente. All of these areas are located in the Old City. The streets of San Antonio Maria Claret and Francisco de Vitoria abound with nightclubs.

In Teruel, a famous place of entertainment is the paleontology park called Dinopolis. There are not only models of dinosaurs in real size, but also many attractions. There is also a museum of paleontology, where you can learn interesting facts from the history of the Earth. But what fascinates me the most is participation in real excavations.



Leisure

There are many picturesque caves and gorges in this region, when primitive people lived in them. There are many mountain waterfalls, streams and lakes in the mountains, as well as green meadows where the Ebro River flows. These are truly natural treasures of Aragon, because of which it is so attractive to people from all over the world. It is here that ideal conditions have been created for canyoning, rafting, there are routes created for climbers, as well as ski runs and tracks for cyclists.




Those who love extreme sports and everything connected with it go to the north of the community, because the Sierra de Guara mountains stretch there, which have an original relief, and there is also a national park that amazes with harsh nature. Therefore, those who want to admire the almost primordial wildlife go to these places.

Car rental and housing

To explore this interesting region, to see all the monuments of history and architecture, it is best to rent a car. You can do this in advance via the Internet, and get the selected car right at the airport by presenting your passport and driver's license. On average, the price for a car is from 1500 rubles per day. You can rent an apartment or a country house here. The cost of the house is from 100 euros per night.

Hotel interior

shopping

The best shopping, of course, is in the capital of the region. A greater number of shops where you can buy absolutely everything, concentrated in areas where there are three squares of the city - this is the area of ​​Spain, Paraiso and Aragon.

Aragon is the most beautiful sparsely populated region of Spain with picturesque landscapes striking in sharp natural contrast. Among the mountain gorges, fast rivers flow, thermal springs flow, forests and extensive vineyards turn green. After the Reconquista, unlike many Spanish territories, Moorish and Jewish builders remained to work in Aragon. Most of the local old buildings were created in the Mudéjar style.

The capital of the region is the city of Zaragoza (photo: Francisco Aragão)

Aragon is located in the middle of the Pyrenees. The region borders France; Catalonia adjoins it in the east; with Castile - La Mancha and the province of Valencia, the border runs in the south; with La Rioja, Castile - Leon, Navarra, it is adjacent to the west. From the south, the region enters the Meseta highlands, in the center lies the valley of the Ebro River, in the north Aragon rests on the Sierra de Guara and the Pyrenees.

The climate of Aragon is considered temperate continental. Due to the variable relief in the region, several climatic zones can be distinguished with different average temperatures at different altitudes. The Ebro Valley has moderately cold winters but hot summers. It is much colder in mountainous regions than in the plains.

Ordesa y Monte Perdido National Park (photo: Didier Karl)

Aragon extends within the same boundaries as the medieval Aragonese kingdom. Its history dates back to 1035 (then a self-proclaimed kingdom was formed, a stronghold of the struggle against the Moors). In the XIII-XV centuries. Aragonese kings made a series of naval conquests. Aragon was a separate state with its own laws until 1707. After the invasion of Philip V, he fell under the influence of the Bourbons, survived several difficult wars, and was under the control of anarchists during the Civil War. Since 1982, it has become an independent autonomous community, which became part of the new state of Spain.

Sights of Aragon

Montearagon Castle

Loarre Castle

Monzon Castle

City of Jaca

Ainsa city

View of the city of Aguero

Ski resort Formigal

Montearagon Castle

Loarre Castle

Sierra de Guara Natural Park

Monzon Castle

City of Jaca

Ainsa city

Monastery of San Juan de la Peña

View of the city of Aguero

Ski resort Formigal

Ski resort Serler (Kerler)


To the north of the region, to the wild lands of the Sierra de Guara massif, climbers and kayakers, lovers of rafting and mountain bikes strive. Here is the Aragonese pearl - Ordesa National Park (Parque Nacional d'Ordesa y d'as Tres Serols) - a huge natural complex with rich fauna and unique flora, with lakes, waterfalls and an impressive valley of glaciers.

The main cities of Aragon are the capitals of its provinces: Zaragoza, Huesca, Teruel.

Zaragoza

Basilica de Nuestra Señora del Pilar (photo: iurbi)

Balneological resorts known since Roman times are concentrated around the "white city" of Zaragoza. The city keeps the heritage of Roman and Moorish culture. The largest building that has survived from the time of the Moors is the 9th century. This architectural treasure of Aragon was rebuilt in the Renaissance style in 1593.

To the east of the Aljaferia stands the Cathedral of Our Lady of Pilar (Basilica de Nuestra Sinyora d'o Pilar). Before the construction of the medieval basilica, in its place was an ancient chapel, consecrated in honor of the Virgin. The Gothic-Moorish temple was built in 1293-1515. Two 90-meter towers were built in the 20th century.

The Second Cathedral of Zaragoza is nearby. La Seo, or the Cathedral of the Savior of Zaragoza, was founded in 1140. The main facade of the Romanesque temple is made in the Mudéjar style, but in the 18th century it was partially rebuilt in the Baroque style.

Huesca

Cathedral of the Transfiguration (photo: Eduardo Arostegui)

The city of Huesca, the capital of the province of the same name, stands in the foothills of the Pyrenees. In its vicinity are the ruins of Montearagon Castle. In the city center, on the Cathedral Square, stands the Gothic Cathedral of the Transfiguration of the Lord (Catedral de Santa María), founded in the 13th century on the site of an Arab mosque. The Diocesan Museum is open in the Chapter Hall and the cloisters of this church.

The city of Teruel is decorated with magnificent Mudéjar temples. The Cathedral of Santa Maria of Mediavilla was reconstructed from a Romanesque building by the Arab architect Husaff. The vaults of the cathedral are called the "Sistine Chapel" of the Moorish style. Ceiling caissons, contrary to Islamic traditions, are painted with everyday and religious subjects, mythical images.

In the southwest of the city stands an example of Mudéjar art from the Gothic period - the church of St. Peter. Its interior decoration and covered gallery were created in 1896-1902. and decorated in Neo-Mudéjar style. The legendary "Lovers of Teruel" are buried in the chapel of the temple.

Holidays

Aragonese jota (Hota aragonesa) - couples Spanish national dance (photo: Antonio JM)

  • April: Holy Week is widely celebrated in Aragon.
  • May: in several cities they celebrate the victory over the Moors (in Aragon it is customary to perform an original dance with swords).
  • June: In the first week of June, Teruel hosts the ten-day fiesta Vaquilla del Angel.
  • August: Huesca celebrates the festival of San Lorenzo at the beginning of August; at the end of summer, the International Pyrenean Folk Festival is held in the French and Spanish territories.
  • September: Teruel welcomes the Fair with bullfighting, competitions and the Aragonese jota (Hota is a unique folk dance with chants).
  • October: The largest feast of Our Lady of Pilar is celebrated everywhere, in the second week of October.

Kitchen

Ternasco - lamb meat (photo: Joan Grífols)

Aragon is famous for its excellent grape wines. Vegetables play a leading role in local cuisine. Here, game and meat delicacies are excellently prepared: Teruel ham, ternasco, chiretas, sausages. From Moorish cuisine, local chefs inherited an abundance of spices; in French they borrowed the ability to cook onion soup, snails, frog legs. Great sweets are made here; produce delicious regional cheeses: Tronchon, Alcaniz, Benabarre.

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 Timezone ISO 3166-2 code Coordinates : 41°00' s. sh. 1°00′ W d. /  41.000° N sh. 1.000°W d. / 41.000; -1.000 (G) (I)

Relief

Story

People appeared on the lands that now form the autonomous community of Aragon, even in the pre-Roman era, but Aragon, like most of the modern regions of northern Spain, arose in the Middle Ages. The name Aragon was first documented in the year when a small Frankish county arose between the rivers that bear its name, Aragon (Spanish: Rio Aragon) and its tributary Aragon Subordan (Spanish. Rio Aragon Subordan ). The territory of Aragon up to the beginning of c. was part of the kingdom of Navarre.

Independence

The Aragon became an independent kingdom. King Alfonso I conquered Zaragoza, which became the capital of Aragon, and expanded the borders of the state beyond the Ebro River. In with Aragon, on the basis of a personal union, the County of Barcelona was united; then other lands of Catalonia were included in Aragon, the counts of Barcelona became kings of Aragon. In the county of Roussillon was annexed, in - the Balearic Islands were conquered from the Moors (where the sovereign kingdom of Mallorca was formed, again conquered by Aragon in -), in - Valencia. In - the kings of Aragon established themselves in Sicily, in - in Sardinia, in due to the union - in the Kingdom of Naples.

As part of the kingdom of Aragon, the most economically developed were Catalonia and Valencia, which retained significant independence (their cortes, legislation and administration); Aragon proper was one of the most economically backward regions; nevertheless, the political dominance belonged to Aragon, whose strong close-knit nobility secured for itself enormous privileges in the exploitation of the population of both Aragon and the lands subject to it. The Cortes of Saragossa in 1281 legally fixed the severe forms of serfdom of the peasants. In the XIII-XIV centuries. serfdom in Aragon and Catalonia intensified (in Aragon it remained until the 17th century, in contrast to Catalonia, where it was destroyed in). The policy of the Aragonese kings was determined by the Cortes (who appeared in Aragon in), reflecting the interests of the highest nobility. The “General Privilege” of Pedro III (-) in and the “Privilege of the Union” of Alfonso III (-) in granted the nobility the right to defend their liberties with weapons in their hands (up to the deposition of the king). The abolition of the "Privileges of the Union" in the middle of the XIV century. the intervention of the nobility in the administration of the state was somewhat limited; however, the power of the feudal lords over the peasants was fully preserved.

20th century

Administrative division

Provinces Adm. center Population,
people (2011)		 Square,
km²		 Komarki Qty
municipalities
Zaragoza Zaragoza 973 325 17 274 Aranda , Bajo Aragon Caspe , Campo de Belchite , Campo de Borja , Campo de Cariñena , Campo de Daroca , Cinco Villas , Comunidad de Calatayud , Ribera Alta del Ebro , Ribera Baja del Ebro , Tarazona y el Moncayo , Valdejalón , Zaragoza
Huesca Huesca 227 609 15 636 Alto Gallego, Bajo Cinca, Cinca Medio, Hoya de Huesca, Hasetania, La Litera, Monegros, Ribagorza, Sobrarbe, Somontano de Barbastro
Teruel Teruel 144 607 14 808 Bajo Martin, Giloka, Cuencas Mineras, Andorra-Sierra de Arcos, Greater Teruel, Maestrasgo, Sierra de Albarracín, Goudar-Javalambre, Matarranía

Demography

Population of provincial capitals:

  • Zaragoza (Spanish) Zaragoza ) - 647 373.
  • Huesca (Spanish) Huesca ) - 48 530.
  • Teruel (Spanish) Teruel ) - 33 238.

Language situation

Most of the people of Aragon speak Castilian (Spanish), which is the official language. Aragonese and Catalan speakers live in some areas of the region.

  • Castilian is the official language and is spoken throughout the region. Local Castilian has distinctive features due to the influence of the Aragonese language.
  • Aragonese is spoken in small communities in Huesca. The total number of speakers is about 12,000.
  • Catalan is spoken in some comarca in the east of Aragon, in the so-called Franja.

Aragonese Cortes are the legislative body of Aragon. The composition of the Cortes includes 67 deputies, currently divided into 5 parties (PSOE, , PAR, CHA,). The Cortes are located in the Aljaferia Palace.

Distribution of seats in Cortes ():

  • PSOE: 27 seats.
  • : 22 places.
  • CHA: 9 seats.
  • PAR : 8 seats
  • : 1 place.

In some areas, a sword dance is performed, imitating a fight between Moors and Christians.

see also

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Links

  • // Encyclopedic Dictionary of Brockhaus and Efron: in 86 volumes (82 volumes and 4 additional). - St. Petersburg. , 1890-1907.
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An excerpt characterizing Aragon

The chief manager, in consolation of these losses, presented to Pierre the calculation that, despite these losses, his income would not only not decrease, but would increase if he refused to pay the debts left after the countess, to which he could not be obliged, and if he does not renew the houses in Moscow and those near Moscow, which cost eighty thousand a year and brought nothing.
“Yes, yes, it’s true,” said Pierre, smiling cheerfully. Yes, yes, I don't need any of that. I have become much richer from ruin.
But in January, Savelich arrived from Moscow, told about the situation in Moscow, about the estimate that the architect had made for him to renew the house and the suburban area, speaking about it as if it had been decided. At the same time, Pierre received a letter from Prince Vasily and other acquaintances from St. Petersburg. The letters spoke of his wife's debts. And Pierre decided that the manager's plan, which he liked so much, was wrong and that he needed to go to Petersburg to finish his wife's affairs and build in Moscow. Why this was necessary, he did not know; but he knew without a doubt that it was necessary. As a result of this decision, his income decreased by three-quarters. But it was necessary; he felt it.
Villarsky was going to Moscow, and they agreed to go together.
Throughout his convalescence in Orel, Pierre experienced a feeling of joy, freedom, life; but when, during his journey, he found himself in the open world, saw hundreds of new faces, this feeling was even more intensified. All the time he traveled, he experienced the joy of a schoolboy at a vacation. All faces: the coachman, the caretaker, the peasants on the road or in the village - all had a new meaning for him. The presence and remarks of Villarsky, who constantly complained about poverty, backwardness from Europe, and the ignorance of Russia, only heightened Pierre's joy. Where Villarsky saw death, Pierre saw an extraordinary powerful force of vitality, that force that in the snow, in this space, supported the life of this whole, special and united people. He did not contradict Villarsky and, as if agreeing with him (since feigned agreement was the shortest means of circumventing arguments from which nothing could come out), he smiled joyfully as he listened to him.

Just as it is difficult to explain why, where the ants rush from a scattered tussock, some away from the hummock, dragging motes, eggs and dead bodies, others back into the tussock - why they collide, catch up with each other, fight - just as difficult it would be to explain the reasons that forced the Russian people, after the French left, to crowd in that place that was formerly called Moscow. But just as, looking at the ants scattered around a devastated tussock, despite the complete annihilation of the hummock, one can see from the tenacity, energy, and innumerable scurrying insects that everything has been destroyed, except for something indestructible, immaterial, constituting the entire strength of the tussock, so too and Moscow, in the month of October, despite the fact that there were no authorities, no churches, no shrines, no riches, no houses, was the same Moscow as it was in August. Everything was destroyed, except for something immaterial, but powerful and indestructible.
The motives of people striving from all sides to Moscow after its cleansing from the enemy were the most diverse, personal, and at first mostly wild animals. Only one impulse was common to all - it was the desire to go there, to that place that was formerly called Moscow, in order to apply their activities there.
A week later, there were already fifteen thousand inhabitants in Moscow, after two there were twenty-five thousand, etc. Rising and rising, this number by the autumn of 1813 had reached a figure exceeding the population of the 12th year.
The first Russian people who entered Moscow were the Cossacks of the Winzingerode detachment, peasants from neighboring villages and residents who fled from Moscow and hid in its vicinity. The Russians who entered devastated Moscow, finding it plundered, began to rob too. They continued what the French were doing. Convoys of peasants came to Moscow in order to take away from the villages everything that had been thrown along the devastated Moscow houses and streets. The Cossacks took away what they could to their headquarters; the owners of the houses took away everything that they found in other houses and transferred it to themselves under the pretext that it was their property.
But after the first robbers came others, third ones, and robbery every day, as the number of robbers increased, became more and more difficult and took on more definite forms.
The French found Moscow, although empty, but with all the forms of an organically correct city, with its various branches of trade, crafts, luxury, government, and religion. These forms were lifeless, but they still existed. There were rows, shops, shops, storehouses, bazaars - most with goods; there were factories, craft establishments; there were palaces, rich houses filled with luxury items; there were hospitals, prisons, offices, churches, cathedrals. The longer the French remained, the more these forms of urban life were destroyed, and in the end everything merged into one indivisible, lifeless field of robbery.
The robbery of the French, the more it continued, the more it destroyed the wealth of Moscow and the strength of the robbers. The robbery of the Russians, from which the occupation of the capital by the Russians began, the longer it lasted, the more participants it had, the faster it restored the wealth of Moscow and the correct life of the city.
In addition to robbers, the most diverse people, attracted - some by curiosity, some by duty, some by calculation - homeowners, clergy, high and low officials, merchants, artisans, peasants - from different sides, like blood to the heart - rushed to Moscow.
A week later, the peasants, who came with empty carts in order to take away things, were stopped by the authorities and forced to take the dead bodies out of the city. Other peasants, having heard about the failure of their comrades, came to the city with bread, oats, hay, knocking down the price of each other to a price lower than the previous one. Artels of carpenters, hoping for expensive earnings, entered Moscow every day, and new ones were cut down from all sides, burnt houses were repaired. Merchants in booths opened trade. Taverns and inns were set up in burnt houses. The clergy resumed service in many unburned churches. Donors brought looted church things. Officials arranged their cloth tables and filing cabinets in small rooms. The higher authorities and the police ordered the distribution of the good left after the French. The owners of those houses in which a lot of things brought from other houses were left complained about the injustice of bringing all things to the Faceted Chamber; others insisted that the French from different houses brought things to one place, and therefore it is unfair to give the owner of the house those things that were found from him. They scolded the police; bribed her; they wrote ten times the estimates for burnt state things; required assistance. Count Rostopchin wrote his proclamations.

At the end of January, Pierre arrived in Moscow and settled in the surviving wing. He went to Count Rostopchin, to some of his acquaintances who had returned to Moscow, and was going to go to Petersburg on the third day. Everyone celebrated the victory; everything was seething with life in the devastated and reviving capital. Everyone was glad to Pierre; everyone wanted to see him, and everyone asked him about what he had seen. Pierre felt especially friendly towards all the people he met; but involuntarily now he kept himself on guard with all people, so as not to bind himself in any way. He answered all the questions that were put to him, whether important or the most insignificant, with the same vagueness; Did they ask him where he would live? will it be built? when he is going to Petersburg and will he undertake to bring a box? - he answered: yes, maybe, I think, etc.
He heard about the Rostovs that they were in Kostroma, and the thought of Natasha rarely came to him. If she came, it was only as a pleasant memory of the past. He felt himself not only free from the conditions of life, but also from this feeling, which, as it seemed to him, he had deliberately put on himself.
On the third day of his arrival in Moscow, he learned from the Drubetskys that Princess Marya was in Moscow. Death, suffering, the last days of Prince Andrei often occupied Pierre and now came to his mind with new vivacity. Having learned at dinner that Princess Marya was in Moscow and living in her unburned house on Vzdvizhenka, he went to her that same evening.
On his way to Princess Marya, Pierre kept thinking about Prince Andrei, about his friendship with him, about various meetings with him, and especially about the last one in Borodino.
“Did he really die in that evil mood in which he was then? Was not the explanation of life revealed to him before death? thought Pierre. He remembered Karataev, his death, and involuntarily began to compare these two people, so different and at the same time so similar in love, which he had for both, and because both lived and both died.
In the most serious mood, Pierre drove up to the house of the old prince. This house survived. Traces of destruction were visible in it, but the character of the house was the same. The old waiter who met Pierre with a stern face, as if wanting to make the guest feel that the absence of the prince did not violate the order of the house, said that the princess was deigned to go to her rooms and was received on Sundays.
- Report; maybe they will," said Pierre.
- I'm listening, - answered the waiter, - please go to the portrait room.
A few minutes later, a waiter and Dessalles came out to Pierre. Dessalles, on behalf of the princess, told Pierre that she was very glad to see him and asked, if he would excuse her for her impudence, to go upstairs to her rooms.
In a low room, lit by a single candle, sat the princess and someone else with her, in a black dress. Pierre remembered that the princess always had companions. Who and what they are, these companions, Pierre did not know and did not remember. “This is one of the companions,” he thought, glancing at the lady in the black dress.
The princess quickly stood up to meet him and held out her hand.
“Yes,” she said, peering into his changed face after he kissed her hand, “this is how we meet. He often talked about you lately, too,” she said, turning her eyes from Pierre to her companion with a shyness that struck Pierre for a moment.
“I was so glad to hear of your salvation. This was the only good news we have received since a long time ago. - Again, even more restless, the princess looked back at her companion and wanted to say something; but Pierre interrupted her.
“You can imagine that I knew nothing about him,” he said. “I thought he was dead. Everything I learned, I learned from others, through third parties. I only know that he ended up with the Rostovs ... What a fate!
Pierre spoke quickly, animatedly. He glanced once at his companion's face, saw an attentive, affectionately curious look directed at him, and, as often happens during a conversation, for some reason he felt that this companion in a black dress was a sweet, kind, glorious creature who would not interfere with his heartfelt conversation with Princess Mary.
But when he said the last words about the Rostovs, the confusion in the face of Princess Marya expressed itself even more strongly. She again ran her eyes from Pierre's face to the face of the lady in the black dress and said:
- You don't know, do you?
Pierre glanced once more at the pale, thin face of his companion, with black eyes and a strange mouth. Something familiar, long forgotten and more than sweet looked at him from those attentive eyes.
But no, it can't be, he thought. – Is it a strict, thin and pale, aged face? It can't be her. It's just a memory of that." But at this time Princess Marya said: "Natasha." And the face, with attentive eyes, with difficulty, with effort, like a rusty door opens, smiled, and from this open door it suddenly smelled and washed over Pierre with that long-forgotten happiness, which, especially now, he did not think about. It smelled, engulfed and swallowed him all. When she smiled, there could no longer be any doubt: it was Natasha, and he loved her.
In the very first minute, Pierre involuntarily told both her and Princess Mary, and, most importantly, to himself a secret unknown to him. He blushed happily and painfully. He wanted to hide his excitement. But the more he wanted to hide him, the more clearly—more clearly than in the most definite words—he told himself, and to her, and to Princess Marya that he loved her.
“No, it’s so, from surprise,” thought Pierre. But as soon as he wanted to continue the conversation he had begun with Princess Mary, he again looked at Natasha, and an even stronger color covered his face, and an even stronger excitement of joy and fear seized his soul. He got lost in words and stopped in the middle of a speech.
Pierre did not notice Natasha, because he did not expect to see her here, but he did not recognize her because the change that had taken place in her since he had not seen her was enormous. She lost weight and turned pale. But this was not what made her unrecognizable: it was impossible to recognize her at the first minute he entered, because on this face, in whose eyes a secret smile of the joy of life had always shone, now, when he entered and looked at her for the first time, there was also a shadow of a smile; there were only eyes, attentive, kind and sadly inquiring.
Pierre's embarrassment was not reflected in Natasha's embarrassment, but only with pleasure, slightly perceptibly illuminating her whole face.

“She came to visit me,” said Princess Mary. The Count and Countess will be here in a few days. The Countess is in a terrible position. But Natasha herself needed to see the doctor. She was forcibly sent away with me.
- Yes, is there a family without its grief? said Pierre, turning to Natasha. “You know that it was on the very day we were released. I saw him. What a lovely boy he was.
Natasha looked at him, and in response to his words, her eyes only opened more and lit up.
- What can you say or think in consolation? Pierre said. - Nothing. Why did such a glorious, full of life boy die?
“Yes, in our time it would be difficult to live without faith…” said Princess Mary.

The autonomous community of Aragon (Aragon, Arago) is located in the extreme north-east of Spain, where the border with France runs along the Pyrenees. This is the land of majestic mountains, picturesque lakes, fertile valleys and fast-flowing rivers, one of which gave the region its name. The climate of Aragon is of a transitional type from Mediterranean to continental with pronounced mountain zoning. On average, the daily temperature in the highlands is 10°C lower than in the valleys.

During its centuries-old history, Aragon turned from a small county within Navarre in the IX century. to a powerful medieval kingdom controlling the western Mediterranean from the Balearic Islands to Sicily and Naples. At the end of the XV century. the marriage union of the ruling houses of Aragon and Castile and León marked the beginning of the history of modern Spain.

Northern Aragon is the original province of Huesca, where Aragonese is still spoken. In the city of Huesca, the center of the province, you can witness colorful celebrations on the day of the national holiday in honor of St. Lawrence, and in Jaca, the first capital of Aragon, inspect the city fortifications. Here are the most popular ski centers of the country: Formigal and Kandanku-Astun. In the east of the province is the Ordesa National Park and the country's highest mountain peaks: Aneto (3,404 m) and Perdido (3,355 m).

Most of the central province of Zaragoza is occupied by the Aragonese lowland, which is crossed by the majestic Ebro. Near the border with Catalonia in its valley lies the vast Mekinen reservoir, 110 km long, often called the Sea of ​​Aragon.

The capital of the province and Aragon, one of the largest cities in Spain, Zaragoza, over the 2000 years of its history has become a real “piggy bank” of architectural treasures: there are more than 200 palaces here. unforgivable act. Near Zaragoza there are 6 balneological resorts, the healing properties of the waters of the sources of which were known in the early Middle Ages.

The coldest and sparsely populated province of the country, Teruel, is located in the south of Aragon, on the Meseta highlands, surrounded by the Sierra de Gudar and El Maestrasco mountain systems. The appearance of the historical center of Teruel, the main city of the province, is characterized by the Mudéjar style, which is a kind of synthesis of Gothic and Moorish architecture.