Page 192 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide 2017 - Northern Spain

190  NOR THERN SP AIN REGION B Y REGION

Ramiro I, was killed. Concealed cathedral and two smaller
in the Old Town lies the unusual churches – San Francisco and
Plaza de España, surrounded San Julian, from the same
by brick arcades and brightly period. Clearly visible on a
frescoed half-timbered houses; hilltop is the shrine of Santa
one of these was home to the María del Pueyo. Originally a
infamous Tomás de Torque- Moorish fortress stood here,
mada, who in 1483 became which was later captured by
Spain’s first Inquisitor General. Pedro II. The Virgin Mary is said
Also noteworthy is the to have appeared between the
Basilica de la Virgen de la Peña, branches of an almond tree,
dating from 1538, with a and the site has been a place
beautiful Renaissance portal. of pilgrimage ever since.
Barbastro is also the centre
The walls of the Palacio de los Condes de Environs of the up-and-coming
Ribagorza in Benasque About 20 km (12 miles) to the Somontano wine region.
northeast, at the head of a
t Benasque picturesque valley, lies the hill
village of Roda de Isábena, i Alquézar
Huesca. Road Map E5. * 2,200.
n C/San Pedro 5; 974 55 12 89. ( site of the smallest cathedral Huesca. Road Map D6. * 300.
Tue. _ San Marcial (30 Jun–6 Jul). in Spain, built in 1056–67. n C/Arrabal s/n; 974 31 89 40.
∑ benasque.com _ San Sebastián (21 Jan). 8
∑ alquezar.org
This village, tucked away in the
northeastern corner of Aragón, Some 48 km (30 miles) north-
lies at the head of the Esera east of Huesca in a spectacular
valley. Its history stretches back setting, the village of Alquézar
to Roman times; from the 11th was established by the Moors;
century, it belonged to the its name derives from the Arabic
dukedom of Ribagorza. Its al-qasr, meaning “the fortress”.
most interesting monuments Indeed, a castle was built here by
are the 13th-century Iglesia Jalaf ibn-Rasid in the 9th century.
de Santa María Mayor and In 1067, the valiant Sancho
the Renaissance Palacio de Ramírez captured the fortress
los Condes de Ribagorza. and turned it into a Christian
Above the village rises the strong hold, the ruins of which
wild Maladeta massif (“Cursed The high altar in the Gothic cathedral can be seen above the village.
Mountains”), offering ski runs in Barbastro Slightly later, in 1085, the king
and mountaineering routes, founded the Iglesia de Santa
and behind it the two tallest u Barbastro María la Mayor on the rocks
Pyrenean peaks: Aneto (3,404 m/ Huesca. Road Map D6. * 17,000. above the Vero river canyon.
11,168 ft above sea level) n Avenida de la Merced 64; 974 30 From this church have survived
and Posets (3,371 m/11,060 ft). 83 50. ( Sat. _ San Ramón (21 Jun), Romanesque cloisters with
The neighbouring resort of Natividad de Nuestra Señora (4–8 carved capitals depicting
Cerler has become a popular Sep). ∑ turismosomontano.es biblical scenes as well as the
base for skiing and other winter free-standing Capilla del
sports. At Castejón de Sos, This small town has strikingly Santo Cristo. The current,
15 km (9 miles) south of beautiful architecture, including stately collegiate church
Benasque, the road passes the 16th-century Gothic was built in 1525–32.
through Congosto de Venta­
millo, a scenic rocky gorge.

y Graus
Huesca. Road Map D5. * 3,700.
n Plaza Mayor 15; 974 54 08 74.
8 organized by the tourist office.
( Mon. _ Santo Cristo y San
Vicente Ferrer (12–15 Sep).
∑ turismograus.com
The famous El Cid (see p170) took
part in the Battle of Graus (1063),
during which the king of Aragón, The ruins of Alquézar’s castle, rising above the Moorish village
For hotels and restaurants see p207 and pp222–3

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