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The Province of Huesca is
located within the 'Comunidad Aragonesa'
which is made up of three provinces,
the other two being Zaragoza and
Teruel. It is located between the
Ebro valley and the last foothills
in the Pyrenees. Huesca has a mountinous
landscape with many ski slopes;
it offers lots of possibilities
for adventure sports. It has a wonderful
natural park 'el Parque Natural
de Ordesa' with exceptional scenery
and is a very green province apart
from one very dry area called 'los
Monegros'. There are lots of rivers
in Huesca and many fruit trees (above
all the area known as el Bajo Cinca).
Huesca also has a large number
of historical monuments, some dating
as far back as prehistoric times.
There are also ancient churches,
aquaducts and lots of Roman and
Moorish remains.
Huesca has a typical mediterranean
climate for a mountinous area. The
winters are cold and summers not
unpleasantly hot apart from the
higher areas where temperatures
are more extreme both in summer
and winter. It snows and rains moderately
from autumn to spring. Temperatures
range from 5ºc to 24ºc
in the capital of the province.
Huesca is very well connected to
the following cities by road :Zaragoza
- the N-330; Barcelona -
the Barcelona - Zaragoza motorway
taking the Lérida exit and
joining the N240 road to Huesca;
Fraga - the A-131; Pamplona
the A-132; and Madrid - the
N-330 to Zaragoza and then the motorway
to Madrid. It is also connected
by rail to Zaragoza-Valencia-Barcelona
and Huesca-Madrid. The
nearest airport is in Zaragoza 71
kms away. From there you can catch
a flight to Barcelona, Madrid,
Frankfurt, Palma and
Tenerife.
HUESCA CITY
Huesca city was founded by the
Romans in 1B.C. It was called the
Independent State of Osca. In the
8th century it fell under Muslim
control and remained a Muslim bastion
for 4 centuries. From 1096 to 1118
Huesca became the captial of the
region thanks to Pedro de Aragón.
Later Zaragoza became the capital.
Huesca has 49,000 inhabitants.
It has two rivers running through
it, the Flumen and the Isuela.
The Tourist Information Office
is located in the 'Plaza Luis López
Allué'. Visitors to Huesca
can buy a 'Tourist Card' which gives
significant discounts to over 100
establishments. There is also a
night time guided tour of the old
quarters of the city...
Churches in Huesca:
- The Cathedral: (Plaza
de la Catedral, Tel: 974 220 676)
Gothic style with some Moorish
elements. Building began in 1354.
Its most outstanding feature is
its alabaster altar by Damià
Forment.
- Iglesia de San Pedro el viejo:
(Plaza de San Pedro) Roman
style. It has interesting stalls
dating back to 1606 and houses
the tombs of the Kings of Aragon.
- Basílica de San Lorenzo:
(Plaza de San Lorenzo) Baroque
style. Built in 1606 by public
subscription. It has paintings
by Vicente Berdusan and Jiusepe
Martínez.
- Iglesia de San Vicente:
18th century
- Iglesia de Santo Domingo:
Baroque style
- Iglesia de San Miguel:
Medieva
- Iglesia de Santa María
de Salas: Medieval
Monuments in Huesca:
- The Town Hall: This is
in a Renaissance style. It was
built between the 16th and 17th
centuries by Miguel Altué.
The most important thing to see
is the 19th century painting
'La Campana de Huesca'.
The Town Hall was built upon the
remains of the Roman city by Quinto
Sertorio. It houses the Tourist
Board and the Town's archives.
- El Mirador de Guara:
You can see the 'Tozal de Guara',
the highest mountain peak
in the area at 2,077 metres above
sea level from here.
- Huesca University: This
was the first university in the
province and one of the most important
between the 14th and 19th centuries.
It was created in 1354 and closed
in 1845.
- The City Wall: Built
by the Moors in the 9th century,
still standing today
- Diputación Provincial:
Modernist style
- Palacio Real Universidad:
12th century. Roman architecture.
This factory has been remodelled
on several occasions between the
13th and the 14th centuries.
- Coso: 20th century
- Porches: 20th century
- Casino: 20th century
- Municipal Park
Museums in Huesca:
- The Provincial Archeological
Museum: (Plaza de la Universidad,
Tel: 974-22 05 86). Modernist.
This museum houses the Roman archeological
remains found in the province.
It also has paintings from the
Gothic period to primitive Aragon
art, from the 15th to 20th centuries.
- El Museo Catedralicio Diocesano
(the Religious Art Museum):
(Plaza de la Catedral, 4): This
museum has 2 rooms dedicated to
Medieval religious art. It houses
important works by Bierge, a wooden
sculpture by Salas, 2nd century
Roman busts...
- Centre for Contempory Art
in Aragon: This modern building
was designed by Rafael Moneo.
It houses the Beulas collection.
Aragón is a little known
region. Traditionally an agricultural,
fruit growing area. Its diverse landscape
and climate both play a part in the
rich cuisine found in this part of
Spain. Simple dishes made with local
ingredients.
The wines from the Somontano region
also deserve a mention. Very good
whites, reds and rosés with
their own Denominación de
Origen (D.O.). Teodoro Bardají
is one of the best exponents of
Aragon cuisine and has created some
excellent, imaginitive dishes.
RESTAURANTS IN HUESCA AND THE
PROVINCE:
Restaurant - Lillas Pastia
(8,5). Huesca: Pl. De Navarra,
4, Tel: 974 211 691. Located in
the lower floor of Huesca Casino.
Innovative cuisine, seasonal produce
- also good for regional dishes.
Considered to be the best restaurant
in the city; Restaurant - Torres
(7'5) Huesca: C/María
Auxiliadora, 3, Tel: 974 228 213.
Elegant and creative cuisine.; Restaurant
- Venta del Sotón(8'5)
Esquerdas (14 Kms from Huesca)
on the Tarragona-San Sebastián
road, Km227; Tel. 974 270 241. A
mix of tradional dishes and innovation.
Excellent. Mountain restaurants;
Restaurant- Asador Casa Jaimico
(6,5) Sallent de Gállego
(5 Km from Formigal): Edificio
Arrigo II, bajos. Tel. 974 488 074.
Grilled meat, tapas and set menus;
La Cocina Aragonesa (7)
Jaca: C/ Cervantes, 5, Tel:
974 361 050. Classic cuisine but
also innovative at the same time.
Excellent; Bodegas de Sogarbe
(6) Ainsa: Pl.Mayor, 2 Tel:
974 500 237. Good traditional cuisine.
El Lago (8) Panticosa
(Baleario de Panticosa): on
the road to the Balneario, Km 10;
Tel: 974 487 345. A modern restaurant
designed by Rafael Moneo and directed
by Pedro Subijana. Modern and creative
cuisine with tradtitonal touches;
Gaby-Casa Blasquico (8'5)
Hecho: Pl. Palacio, 1; Tel:
974 375 007. Classic, traditional
cuisine but also some innovative
dishes. Very good.
HUESCA PROVINCE: The province
can be divided into 3 areas: The Pyrenees,
Prepirineo (the area surrounding the
Pyrenees) and the area known as 'los
Llanos'.
- The Pyrenees: Ribagorza,
Alto Gallego, Sobrarbe and Jacetania
- Prepirineo (the area surrounding
the Pyrenees): Somontano
de Barbate, Hoya de Huesca, Cinca
Medio and La Litera.
- Los Llanos: Monegros
and Bajo Cinca.
- Comarca de Jacetania:
This is the birthplace of the
kingdom of Aragon. It is a high
mountinous area located within
the Pyrenees.
- Jaca: The capital of
this area. Not to be missed:
San Pedro Cathedral (11th century),
Iglesia del Carmen, Iglesia
de Santiago and las Benedictinas,
the fortress and the 16th century
Clock Tower.
- San Juan de la Peña
Monastery: Dates back to
the 9th century. It houses the
Royal tombs of the kings of
Aragon. Interesting cloister.
- San Pedro de Sirena Monastery
- Santa Cruz de la Serós:
There are two interesting churches:
Iglesia de Santa María
and San Capracio.
- Castiello de Jaca
- El Grado: The Grado
reservoir and the Torreciudad
sanctury were built in memory
of José María
Escrivá de Balaguer,
the founder of Opus Dei.
- Enate: Very good wines
made here.
- Santa María de Iguacel
- Valle de Ansó:
This is an espeially pretty
valley. Not to be missed: A
16th century Gothic church,
which houses a museum of regional
costumes.
- Valle de Hecho: A very
beautiful valley. A festival
of modern sculpture takes place
in this small village every
year. The whole village is decorated
with the winning sculptures
from previous festivals. Very
picturesque.
- Siresa: This is a village
in Hecho valley. Not to be missed:
11th century Iglesia de San
Pedro.
- Alto Gállego:
High mountinous area located in
the Pyrenees. Megalithic remains,
Roman roads, ski slopes, adventure
sports...
- Ruta de Serrablo:
Roman churches.
- Sabiñánigo:
Museo de Artes Populares del
Serralbo (Tradtional Art Museum).
- Larrés: Museo
del Dibujo.
- Biescas: Dolmen de
Santa Elena and the Santa
Elena chapel.
- Piedrahita de Jaca:
Parque de Lacuniacha (safari
park).
- Valle del Tena:
- Puerto de Somport ski
resort - Formigal,
Panticosa, Partacua, Astún.
- Other sports: hiking,
canoeing and fishing in
Sallent de Gállego
and the surrounding areas.
- Balneario de Panticosa
(thermal spa) , Lanuza
and Búbal reservoirs.
International Culture
Festival (July in Lanuza).
- Ribagorza: Located in
the peaks of the Pyrenees, there
are valleys and snow all year
round, lots of historical monuments,
churches, bridges, castles, chapels,
monasteries and more....Adventure
sports: rafting, hiking, climbing
canoeing, cycling, fishing, hunting
and horse riding...
- Arén: Prehistoric
remains
- La Puebla de Castro:
Remains of ancient Roman city
of Labitolosa
- La Roda de Isábena:
Roman Cathedral, the smallest
in Spain built in 1067. Not
to be missed: the 12th century
cloister and the dome with
12th century frescos.
- Benasque: The Condes
de Ribagorza renaissance palace
and Iglesia de Santa María
Mayor (13th century). Maladeta
mountain range with 2 peaks
Aneto and el Posets, located
in the Posets-Madaleta
Natural Park (since
1993), there are 13 glaciers,
95 lakes and a lot of vegetation
- Graus: La Peña
Monastery and the Plaza Porticada.
-
Cerler. Ski resort
- Fantova: Medieval
buildings and monuments.
- Perarrúa:Medieval
buildings and monuments.
- Montañana:
Historical monuments, this
area has been declared 'Patrimonio
Artístico' (of special
artistic interest).
- Sobrarbe: Located in
the Pyrenees, this area has a
lot of prehistoric remains. Beautiful
valleys and scenery.
- Ordesa National Park:
Prehistoric remains, the 'Perdido'
mountain, 4 glacial canyons
(Garganta de Añisclo,
de Pineta, Esccuain and Valle
de Ordesa). There is a 70
metre precipice called the
'Cola de Caballo' (the horse's
tail), Torla village. The
park has a lot of animals
and plants typical to the
Pyrenees: foxes, wild boars,
mountain goats, eagles...and
edelweiss, wild orchids...
- Rivers: The
Vero, Ribagorza and Alcanadre:
You can go rafting or canoeing...
- Aínsa and Voltañá:
Signs of ancient civilisations
can be seen in its houses
and streets.
- Valle de Canfranc:
Ski resort
Candanchú.
- Tella: Megalithic
remains.
- La Sierra and The Guara
canyons: Prehistoric remians
- Somontano de Barbate:
Located between the high peaks
of the Pyrenees and the flat area
'los llanos'. A wine producing
area with lots of tourist facilities.
Prehistoric remains. Adventure
sports.
- Barbastro: This is
the capital of the area. It
has a Cathedral - Santa María,
16th century and a Religious
museum. The house where José
María Escrivá
de Balaguer was born is also
here. Argensola Palace, and
the 'Museo de los Mártires
Claretianos' (Martyr's museum).
The Somontano wine
cellars (D.O.)
- Alquezar: Prehistoric
remains. Mountains and canyons.
- Río Vero and
the surrounding area:
Now an official Cultural
Park due to cave paintings
and archeological remains,
Moorish buildings and fortresses,
Roman and Baroque chapels.
- Bierge: Iglesia de
San Andrés de Nasarre.
- Abiego: Iglesia de
San Agustín.
- Hoya de Huesca:
- Loarre Castle: Located
30 Kms from Ayerbe, 30 Kms
from Huesca. It was built
in the 11th century upon a
former Roman castle under
the orders of Sancho I de
Aragón. Interesting
murals and Roman church.
- Montearagón
Castle: This castle
occupies an important place
in Aragon's history.
- Bolea: Santa María
Collegiate , 16th century.
Interesting altar.
- San Martín de
Val d'Onsera: Marvellous
village.
- Eyerbe: It has an
interesting clock tower.
- Mallos de Siglos
and Agüeros:
These villages have been dug
out from the moutainside.
- Cinca Medio: The Cinca
river passes through this agricultural
area. There are historic monuments,
chapels, castles, palaces and
renaissance and medieval monasteries.
- Monzón: Monzón
castle where Jaime I lived.
Since 1143 it has belonged
to the 'Orden del Temple'.
Also Santa María Cathedral
del Romeral.
- Fonz: Interesting
Townhall which was once the
residence of the Bishops of
Lérida. Its old quarters
is full of mansions typical
to the area.
- Alcolea
- Almunia de San Juan
- La Litera: Located on
the border with Cataluña
between the Pyrenees and the flat
area 'los llanos'. An important
agricultural area with several
rivers running through it (the
Cinca, Ribera Ribagorzana and
the Aragón and Cataluña
canal).
- Binefar: Iglesia
de San Pedro, Gothic, 16th
century. Famous for it chef
Teodoro Bardají, one
of the best for traditional
Aragonese cuisine.
- Tamarite
- Peralta de Calasanz
- Esplús
- Camporrels
- Baldellou
- Monegros : A barren,
dry area. Interesting rock formations
made by erosion over the centuries.
- Los Monearos: Lots
of salt lakes. 'La Laguna
de Sariñena':
This is a natural reserve
full of wild plants and animals
such as hares, rabbits, wild
boars...
- Villanueva de Sijena:
Santa María Monastery
(a National Monument).
- Lanaja:De las Fuentes
Charterhouse, 18th century.
It houses paintings by Manuel
Bayeu.
- Tardienta: Iglesia
de Santiago el mayor. You
can go for a camel ride in
the aerodrome.
- Castejón de Monearos:
Castle
- Sangarrén:
A fortress.
- Leciñena:
La Virgen de Magallón.
- Bajo Cinca: A lot of
historic remains and ancient settlements.
The Cinca, Segre and Ebro rivers
pass through this agricultural
area (above all a fruit growing
area)
- Fraga: Villa Fortunatus,
The first Roman settlement
in Spain. Iglesias de San
Miguel, de San Pedro. Montcada
Palace.
- Belver de Cinca:
la Iglesia de Nuestra Sra.de
la Asunción
- Ontiñena:
Iglesia de Santa María
la mayor.
- Ballovar: San Roque
chapel.
- Osso de Cinca: Iglesia
de Santa Margarita and castle
- Maquinenza: Acuabarreig,
a natural reserve for birds.
International rowing competitions
take place in its reservoir.
- Ribarroja: Ribarroja
reservoir.
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