Ribagorza - Spain

Some kilometres before arriving at Obarra, stop at the path in the cathedral of Roda de Isabena, which was erected on the ancient see of the bishopric of Ribagorza.  It began to be built by the chevet at the turn of the XI century.  The three naves and the front would come afterwards, but what will you enjoy, without a doubt, is a walk along its cute cloister weaved with semicircular arches and simple columns with crude capitals.

In the middle of the stillness and the silence, you will find the most Eastern Aragonese monastery.  Look for it between Aren and Pont de Suert, in Sopeira, a cold and beauty village sheltered by an
impressive rocky massif.  The Monastery of Santa Maria de Alaon was founded in the Visigothic
period and was refurbished in the X1 century.  This church is as austere as the life of these villages, with three naves ended in semicircular apes with blind little arches and the Jaca's checker pattern.  It is the simplicity of the stone that becomes art.

In the heart of Sobarbe, the old medieval-town of Ainsa shows up, ready to show you all its charms.  Disappear into the walled castle and its legends, along the paved streets and buildings or just travel along its unforgettable porticoed square.  In one of the corners, the church of Santa Maria is waiting for you since the  X1  and X11 centuries.  Its charm lies in a nave with semicircular apse and a huge front designed with four archivolts that lean on many other pairs of columns with carved capitals.  Have a good look at the crypt riddled with little coloums, the triangular cloister and the huge tower with a square plan that once had a defensive role during the medieval period, a religious one, and that is the perfect top artistically talking.

In the same area, you must pay a visit to the Luzas Church in Tolva.  It has a basilical plan and three naves ended in semicircular apes, as well as a tower belfry.  Doesn't it remind you about the Alaon one? And in Capella, on the banks of the Isabena, look for the reflection of the San Martin Church or the medieval bridge  with seven arches.
On the outskirts, ask about the Chapel of Nuestra Senora del Plan.And if you want to continue having a good plan, come closer to Moiontanana in order to enjoy the front with six archivolts and the fussy capitals of the church of Nuestra Senora de Baldos.  In the uninhabited Pano, pay a visit to the Chapel of San Anton and in La Puebla de Castro, the one of San Roman de Castro.   You will check that the stones sometimes talk or, at least captivate.

Aragon tourism office
Avda Cesar Augusto, 25
Zaragoza

Tel:   976 28 21 81
         902 477 000

Web:   www.turismodeargon.com

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