Most Faithful

We are going for a stroll by the river - I better do a few more 6ks.  We are pottering along the Rio Matarranya.  Let’s face it, few things compare to walking along some sparkling water.  It does have the advantage of skirting round the outskirts of Maella - whose houses spill down to the river and vary from the neat and uptight, to the homespun and rambling.






So, let's start off with a classic ancient legend.  Maella has a castle.  Apparently once upon a used to was the Lord of Castle wanted the hand of a maiden in marriage.  She tactfully pointed out she was engaged and so the Lord went all toxic masculinity and starting torturing the woman’s beloved.  She had a careful thought about things then cut off her hand and sent it to the lord on a silver platter, so he could have it in marriage.



Maella was taken from the Moors in 1168. In the 15th century Alfonso V gave the town to his secretary, Francisco de Arino.  Arino’s son was such a poor lord that the town rebelled and besieged the castle.  During the War of the Spanish Succession the town supported the Bourbons and so was awarded the title ‘Most Faithful.’  The highlight of the military history came when a battle occurred in 1838.






On 1st October Liberal Forces under the command of Ramon Pardinas [about 5000 foot and 350 horse] took on Ramon Cabrera’s Carlists [3500 foot and 500 horses].  Despite initial success, the Liberal Forces were beaten, with General Pardinas being killed.

The town’s population has stablised at around 2000, having declined of the 3800 of 1920.  About a quarter of the townsfolk are foreign born.  Currently the town council is split, 6 Partido Popular members against five socialists.




We end the day by a bridge and a restaurant.  El Guijarro has a facebook page https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100054449951008&ref=ts&fref=ts#   It is open from 7am to 5pm most days. It is closed on Sundays and only noon till 5pm on Mondays.  Yesterday Mari said ‘Reasonable price quality, very good service’   A week ago Rafa opined ‘I have had breakfast several times and it was good, the sausage is very good’     





























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