Page 216 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Spain

214  EASTERN SP AIN

The Vall d’Aran, surrounded by the snowcapped mountains of the Pyrenees
1 Vall d’Aran 2 Vielha
Butterflies of the
Vall d’Aran Lleida. @ Vielha. n Carrer Sarriulèra Lleida. * 5,400. @ n Carrer
10, Vielha, 973 64 01 10. Sarriulèra 10, 973 64 01 10. ( Thu.
A huge variety of butterflies ∑ visitvaldaran.com _ Fiesta de Vielha (8 Sep), Feria de
and moths is found high in Vielha (8 Oct).
the mountains and val leys of This Valley of Valleys – aran
the Pyrenees. In particular, the means “valley” – is a beautiful The capital of the Vall d’Aran
isolated Vall d’Aran is the home haven of forests and flower- preserves relics of its medieval
of several unique and rare filled meadows, surrounded past. The Roman esque church
sub species. The best time of by towering mountain peaks. of Sant Miquel has an octagonal
year to see the butterflies is The Vall d’Aran was formed by bell tower, a tall, pointed roof
between May and July. the Riu Garona, which rises in the and a superb wooden
area and flows out to France as 12th-century crucifix, the Mig
the Garonne. With no proper link Aran Christ. It once formed
to the outside world until 1924, part of a larger carving, since
when a road was built over the lost, which represented the
Bonaigua Pass, the valley was cut Descent from the Cross. The
off from the rest of Spain for Musèu dera Vall d’Aran is a
most of the winter. Snow still museum devoted to Aranese
blocks the narrow pass from history and folklore.
Grizzled Skipper (Pyrgus malvae) Novem ber to April, but today
access is easy through the Túnel E Musèu dera Vall d’Aran
de Vielha from El Pont de Suert. Carrer Major 26. Tel 973 64
The fact that the Vall d’Aran 18 15. Open Tue–Sun.
faces north means that it has a Closed public hols.
climate similar to that found on & 7
the Atlantic coast. Many rare wild
flowers and butter flies flourish in
the perfect con ditions created
Clouded Apollo by the damp breezes and shady
(Parnassius mnemosyne) slopes. It is also a noted habitat
for many species of narcissus.
Tiny villages have grown up
beside the Riu Garona, often
around Romanesque churches,
notably at Bossòst, Salardú,
Escunhau and Arties. The
Checkered Skipper valley is also ideal for outdoor
(Carterocephalus palaemon) sports such as skiing and is Mig Aran Christ (12th-century), Sant Miquel
popular with walkers. church, Vielha
For hotels and restaurants in this region see pp565–7 and pp588–90

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