Page 237 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Spain

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7 Jaca
Huesca. * 13,000. £ @ n Plaza de
San Pedro 11, 974 36 00 98. ( Fri. _
La Victoria (first Fri of May), Santa Orosia
y San Pedro (25–29 Jun). ∑ jaca.es
Jaca dates back as far as the 2nd
century AD. In the 8th century
the town bravely re pulsed the
Moors – an act which is
commemorated in the festival
of La Victoria – and in 1035
became the first capi tal of the
kingdom of Aragón. Jaca’s
11th-century cathedral,
one of Spain’s old est, is
much altered inside.
Traces of its original
Rough and craggy landscape around Benasque splendour can
be seen on the
4 Parque Nacional neighbouring resort of Aramón restored south
de Ordesa Cerler was developed with porch and
care from a rustic village into doorway, where
See pp236–7. a popular base for skiing and carvings depict
other winter sports. biblical scenes.
At Castejón de Sos, 14 km The dim nave
5 Benasque (9 miles) south of Benasque, and chapels are
the road passes through the decorated with
Huesca. * 2,000. n Calle de San
Pedro s/n, 974 55 12 89. ( Tue. Congosto de Ventamillo, a scenic ornate vaulting
_ San Pedro (29 Jun), San Marcial rocky gorge. and sculpture.
(30 Jun). ∑ turismobenasque.com A museum of
sacred art, in
Tucked away in the northeast 6 Aínsa the cloisters,
corner of Aragón, at the head Huesca. * 2,200. @ n Plaza contains a
of the Esera Valley, the village Castillo 1, 974 50 05 12. ( Tue. collection of
of Benasque presides over a _ San Sebastián (20 Jan), Fiesta Romanesque Sculpture in
ruggedly beautiful stretch of Mayor (14 Sep). and Gothic Jaca Cathedral
Pyrenean scenery. Although fres coes and
the village has expanded greatly The capital of the kingdom of sculptures from
to meet the holiday trade, a Sobrarbe in medieval times, local churches. The streets
sympathetic use of wood and Ainsa has retained its charm. that sur round the cathedral
stone has resulted in buildings The Plaza Mayor, a broad form an attractive quarter.
which complement the existing cobbled square, is sur rounded Jaca’s only other significant
older houses. A stroll through by neat terraced arcades of tourist sight is its 16th-century
the old centre filled with aristo- brown stone. On one side citadel, a fort decorated with
cratic mansions is a delight. stands the belfry of the Iglesia corner turrets, on the edge of
The most striking buildings in de Santa María – consecrated in town. Today the town serves
Benasque are the 13th-century 1181 – and on the other the as a principal base for the
Iglesia de Santa María Mayor, restored castle. Aragonese Pyrenees.
and the Palacio de los Condes
de Ribagorza. The latter has a
Renaissance façade.
Above the village rises the
Maladeta massif. There are
magnificent views from its
ski slopes and hiking trails.
Several local mountain peaks,
including Posets and Aneto,
exceed 3,000 m (9,800 ft).
Environs
For walkers, skiers and climb ers,
the area around Benasque
has a great deal to offer. The The arcaded main square of Aìnsa with the Iglesia de Santa María

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