“Lleguè a Calatayud, Ciudad, que compuesta de las reliquias de la antigua Bilbilis, resucitò en esta ocasión sus inmortales proezas…”. La entrada en Calatayud del virrey Juan José de Austria y su viaje al balneario de Alhama de Aragón

Juan José de Austria was viceroy of Aragon between 1669 and 1678. The natural son of Philip IV was known for being a great soldier and intervening in defense of the Monarchy of Spain in the revolts of Portugal, Catalonia, Naples and Sicily, but also for being the viceroy of Sicily, Catalonia and the governor of the Netherlands. On his return to Spain, Juan José de Austria starred in 1669, which is considered the “first coup d’etat” of early modern Spain. Far from obtaining the post of Prime Minister, Juan José was appointed viceroy of Aragon, perhaps away from the court, although close to those who had received support from to face the Regent and his favourite, Father Nithard. Juan José de Austria sought in 1675 rest in the thermal baths of Alhama de Aragón, place of recreation of important nobles of the time, because it was located on the way to Madrid. We found similar records in 1603, when the viceroy of Aragon Ascanio Colonna had also made a trip to Calatayud and the city received him according to his importance and dignity. The study of the entrances of members of the royal family or the royal representatives, as is the case of the viceroys, takes on special importance in current historiography since through them it is possible to know the cities in the Early Modern Ages, such as who were the individuals or families that held the municipal offices, through what mechanisms these entrances were financed, the most important spaces of the city, the greater or less importance of the dignitary or the protocol of the council, among many other elements.