1 MALLOS 2 LA SOTONERA. DE RIGLOS ALBORÉ RESERVOIR It is difficult to really know whether the little One of Hoya de Huesca’s biggest natural town of Riglos, located at the foot of an almost drawcards is its wetlands and reservoirs, unreal setting, is unnerved or serene about a series of exceptional habitats for the being guarded by a series of huge monoliths: preservation of biodiversity. Featured among the mallos (from the Latin word for mallet, these is Alboré, a lake that is now part of La which characterise these vertical rock Sotonera reservoir. Its location at the foot formations). These geological monuments of the Pyrenees gives it huge strategic value, are formed by conglomerate rock, originating particularly for the fascinating and enigmatic in ancient alluvial deposits that remain phenomenon of bird migration. The shallow attached to the Pre-Pyrenean mountains waters of the lake and thickets of tamarisk despite intense erosion. The walls of these along its shores seem to abound with life, and monoliths are sheer, 300 metres in height in winter are just teeming with ducks and in the case of the Mallo Pisón, which is the other waterfowl that set up their temporary most visible from the town. The first people to home here. But birdwatchers are in for a treat climb them faced a real challenge in planning when the so-called pre-nuptial migration at their route back in the 1940s and 50s. Today the end of winter congregates the thousands they continue to be a world-famous training of cranes that use La Sotonera and Alboré as a ground for climbing. They are also a drawcard rest stop before crossing the Pyrenees to their for emerging tourism based on studying the destinations in Northern Europe. great birds of prey, the latest strategy in this realm of sky and rock. 3 SIERRA DE 4 SALTO DE GUARA ROLDÁN Hoya de Huesca bears its physical description According to legend, the Frankish hero in its name. But there is more to the inherent, Roland was able to flee from the Moorish defining and extraordinary relief that helps hosts because his horse jumped from define the living landscape for its inhabitants Peña Sen or San Miguel to Peña Men or and visitors. A visually striking series of Amán. This gave rise to the name Salto mountain ridges forms a mental and real de Roldán (Roland’s Leap), a place that horizon limiting the comarca to the north. serves as a natural gateway between the And above them rises the most important Guara Mountains and the plains of Huesca. of the Pre-Pyrenean mountain chains, the Its picturesque appearance is that of two Guara Mountains, reaching their zenith towers of conglomerate rock carved by the at the peak of Mount Tozal de Guara, at an patient erosive action of the River Flumen altitude of 2,077 metres. From Vadiello, this and the strength of the wind. It is at times phenomenal rocky chain forms a familiar of thermal inversion, when fog clings to the profile, a solemn and beautiful silhouette with valley and the sun shines on the mountains a mantle of winter snow. Rough limestone that this vision is granted, offering a sea forms the essence of Guara Natural Park, of clouds. And as if floating above the permeated by deep canyons and karst caves 1,123-metre Peña San Miguel, we stand that make it a unique destination with a lot of next to the ruins of its Romanesque castle different special sites, such as Salto de Roldán and chapel. Standing proudly opposite at an (Roland’s Jump), Vadiello lake, Belsué lake, altitude of 1,124 metres is Peña Amán. The river Formiga canyion, Nocito valley or La wonderful landscape becomes a grandiose Pillera canyion. spectacle that surprises and delights all who contemplate it from this site. PEÑA MEDIODÍA. LOARRE 5 PIRACÉS 6 CASTLE Silhouettes in stone have been carved by This huge mediaeval fortress is one of the unseen water and silent wind in an ancient greatest artistic icons in Hoya de Huesca and the and evocative landscape. Platforms, gullies entire region of Aragon. Founded by Navarre’s and craggy stone outcrops daringly compete King Sancho III the Great, it was started in the with the twilight. Their eroded forms change early 11th century as an outpost on the border with the perspective. Peña Mediodía is a with the Moorish kingdom. It was later turned geological fantasy with a life of its own, like into a provisional base for the Augustinan many of the rock formations in the southern Order, who would later move to Montearagón hills of Hoya de Huesca. Peña Mediodía is Castle. The entire framework is preserved in an important sandstone outcrop measuring good condition for this military and religious 80 metres in length and standing 25 metres structure: a defensive wall with nine towers, tall. Given that it stands prominently over a free-standing watchtower, the Tower of the village of Piracés, dominating a wide the Queen or keep, the bailey, Homage tower, stretch of country, its strategic location was a curtain wall and two religious areas – the used by the Moors to erect a fortress in the church of San Pedro with a crypt and the chapel area during the 9th and 10th centuries. It is of Santa Marta. Located at the foot of the Pre- worthwhile climbing to the top to observe Pyrenean mountain chain of the same name, their imprint and, naturally, to enjoy the this is the largest Romanesque military complex incredible panorama. in Europe and, therefore, the world. This image of strength has been used on more than one occasion as a setting for films and the subject of documentaries. SANTIAGO CHURCH, BOLEA COLLEGIATE 7 AGÜERO 8 CHURCH Agüero is located at the foot of the mallos of Bolea’s origins are lost in the depths of time. the same name, merging with them as part However, its history became accessible during of a magnificent scene. Close to the village the dominion of the Moors, who made it an is the church of Santiago, a monumental important stronghold in an area watched and but unfinished building consisting of the protected by the lofty mass of Mount Peña de cloverleaf apse with three semicircular Gratal. Its importance grew towards the end chapels and the transept. Standing out from of the Middle Ages and the beginnings of the its voluminous forms, particularly those of Modern Age, when its imposing collegiate its chapels, and the excellent sculptures, is church of Santa María la Mayor was raised. the ornate portal featuring a capital with Designed along the lines of a hall church, it a dancer with a sinuous and acrobatic features superb columns and beautiful filigree design, enabling her to fit the support. This gracing its stellar vaults. And while the building motif, in turn, is one of the characteristics is unique, its main altarpiece is even more so. of the sculptor, known as the master of San Although the carved relief features Gothic Juan de la Peña, who left his mark on other forms, the interconnected paintings follow the monuments in Aragon. lines of a new style – the Renaissance. SAN MIGUEL 10 DANZANTES DE 9 DE FOCES HUESCA Almost lost in its natural setting, in the It’s eight thirty on the morning of 10 August. vicinity of the village of Ibieca and where This is the big day of the Festival of San the village of Foces once stood, stands the Lorenzo (St Lawrence). The Danzantes majestic church of San Miguel de Foces. de Huesca are dressed in white with Against the backdrop of the Sierrra de Guara, headscarves, different coloured (red blue, this magnificent building was raised during green, etc.) sashes around their torsos and the transition between the Romanesque and espadrilles. They begin their beautiful old Gothic styles and features surprising apse dance with sticks, swords and ribbons in front chapels, an ornately carved portal and a lofty of the Basilica of San Lorenzo. Hundreds of interior space. The tombs of the Foces family locals have been waiting since the early hours are found in both arms of the transept, the to take up the best positions, forming a perfect walls of which are completely covered in circle around the dancers. Later, also dancing Franco-Gothic and early Gothic murals with while they are cheered on and accompanied an almost endless succession of images and by people thronging the pavements, they scenes, and expressive, eye-catching figures in escort the 16th-century reliquary shaped like bright colours. the bust of Saint Lawrence in a procession through the streets of the city. Watching the saint and the danzantes pass this morning, the inhabitants of Huesca - a city decked out in green and white - are filled with great emotion. MALLOS DE RIGLOS SIERRA DEGUARA PEÑA MEDIODÍA. PIRACÉS 1 3 5 This formation stands over the village of Piracés like the The Mallos de Riglos are one of Aragon’s most identifiable The city of Huesca and any locations near the Barbastro road offer prow of a ship carved in rock and becomes fully illuminated features. These impressive conglomerate monoliths are the fantastic views of these mountains at any time of year. However, for by the midday sun as it reaches its zenith. It can be reached most photographed souvenir of any visitor taking the road from easy access and proximity, visitors are recommended to take the from the upper area of the village. A series of wooden Murillo de Gállego to La Peña Reservoir, or approaching the road from Loporzano leading to Vadiello Reservoir.