Where is Jeff? June 22

The Rev. Jeff Bower is following the Ignatian Camino in Spain from June 2-30. This week, Jeff will travel through the town of Pedrola, a municipality in the province of Zaragoza, Aragon, Spain on his way to Zaragoza, the capital of the Aragon region. Zaragoza lies by the Ebro River and its tributaries. The town is famous for folklore, local cuisine and landmarks such as the Basilica del Pilar, Aljaferia Palace and the Fiestas del Pilar - one of the most celebrated festivals in Spain. Next, on to Lieidia. This city is in the west of Catalonia, Spain. It is one of the oldest towns in Catalonia with settlements dating back to the Bronze Age. The city served as a settlement for the Iberian people, ruled by Muslims from the eighth century until reconquered in 1149; during the following centuries the town was damaged by several wars. Recently, the city has been in constant urban, commercial and demographic growth. The area has a semi-arid climate with low precipitation. Verdú, the final city for the week, is an area of rolling hills with valleys and plains cultivated with grain, vineyards, olive and almond trees. Today it is known for its wine, traditional black pottery and historic buildings such as the castle, Church of Santa Maria and its notable native St. Peter Claver. This week, the focus of the Ignatian exercises is about contemplating how Christ went from Bethany to Jerusalem to the Last Supper inclusively. Now, onto the final week of the pilgrimage!