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Aínsa Castle, declared a Site of Cultural Interest, is located at the west end of the main square of the town of Aínsa, an Aragonese Pyrenean town located in the region of Sobrarbe, at the confluence of the Ara and Cinca rivers. The first phase of Aínsa Castle dates back to the 11th century, a time when the southern border of Sobrarbe was reorganized, with numerous points being fortified facing the territories of Muslim domination.
The accumulation of construction phases (mainly the 11th and 17th centuries) have resulted in a complex defensive enclosure. The Ainsa castle is conceived as a unitary enclosure, giving homogeneity and taking advantage of all the remains of previous construction phases. Remains of the original medieval fortification built in the 11th century can be seen.
The oldest part is the Torre del Homenaje, built on Arab remains in the 11th century and surrounded by a walled area where the inhabitants of the town took refuge in case of danger.
Every even year, during the first weekend of September, coinciding with the performance of La Morisma, a unique event takes place in the streets of the historic center of Aínsa that takes us back in time 600 years: the Medieval Market. The layout of the streets, the uniqueness of the buildings, the decoration, the craftsmen's stops, the theatrical setting, the live music make walking through the streets of Aínsa become a trip to the past. More than 40 artisans gather for two days in the streets and squares of the town, exhibiting their products and demonstrating the production processes.
La Morisma, as it is known and represented today, can be considered as a dramatized popular show that commemorates a very ancient, legendary or historical event that occurred in the Villa de Aínsa. It is a show that takes place in a large and architecturally beautiful space such as the Plaza Mayor. The people of Aínsa participate massively and in accordance with an action programmed in a written text (recited) of ancient popular tradition. This text contains a dramatic progression born from the dialectical confrontation of two opposing parties: The Moors and the Christians. It commemorates the battle that occurred in the vicinity of the town in the 8th century between King Garci Ximeno and the Moors of Aínsa with a favorable outcome for the Christian thanks to the miraculous appearance of the burning cross on an oak tree.
