Aragon Guide

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  Pano Church view

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  Hermitage of Saint Pablo, Obarra

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  Santa Maria Church, Obarra

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  Roda de Isabena entrance

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  Alaon Monastery interior

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  Montanana Romanesque bridge

At the start of the 11th century, in the old County of Ribargoza and in the region of Sobrarbe, masters from Lombardy made an architectonic style with its own particular features flourish. This style was called Lombard Romanesque and was the first sign of Romanesque in Aragon.

Obarra. In the valley of the river Isabena, easily accessible from Graus, the old Monastery of St. Maria de Obarra, which dates back to the 9th century, rises.

The Church of Sta. Maria, in purest Lombard style, dates back to the first third of the 11th century. It has a basilica ground plan divided into three naves.

The Hermitage of St. Pablo, a few metres away, formed part of the monastery unit.

Visits: The key is kept at the parish church of La Puebla de Roda.

Roda de Isabena. A few kilometres before Obarra, in the same valley of the Isabena, is the ancient seat of the Bishopric of Ribagorza, declared today to be of cultural interest.

The old Cathedral of Roda dates back to the 11th century, although its construction lasted for two more centuries. The building has three naves without a crossing, with three apses at the head. One of the apses preserves remains of mural paintings. In the crypt, under the main altarpiece, apart from some fragments of wall paintings, the sarcophagus of St. Ramon – bishop of Roda, is preserved. This work dates from the 13th century and is decorated with beautiful reliefs. The remains of St. Valero, the bishop of Zaragoza, are also preserved in Roda. The 12th century cloister, attached to one of the sides of the temple, has tuff cut decoration in the capitals.

Visits: Morning and afternoon hours. Compulsory entry with guide.

Alaon. (Municipality of Sopeira. Access from the N-230). In a picturesque circular-shaped valley the old Benedictine monastery (founded in the 9th century) was raised. The Church of St. Maria built in the 13th century belonged to it. It is an asset of cultural interest. The church has jaques style influences in its Romanesque-Lombard structure, shown in the chequered frieze that runs around its walls. The monastery exercised a great, influence on the cultural, political and religious life of the region. Its structure acted as a model for other buildings.

Visits: Keys in “Casa Eduardo” (Sopeira).

Ainsa. The town of Ainsa, declared of cultural interest due to its overall beauty, is found in the heart of Sobrarbe. The old quarter, surrounded by walls, preserves all its mediaeval flavour in ancient streets and buildings, as well as in its magnificent Portico Square; which combines semi-circular arches and lancet arches.

The Church of St. Maria built between the 11th and 12th centuries, is a Romanesque piece of work with single nave that ends in a semi-circular apse. It has a beautiful door with 4 archivolts supported on 4 pairs of columns of worked capitals. The crypt, and the cloister, both of great interest, can be reached from inside the temple. The large square tower, which finishes of the whole work had a defensive function during mediaeval times.

Other places of interest

- Luzas( municipality of Tolva). Church with basilica ground plan, with three naves finished off with three semi-circular apses and bell-tower. Its structure is based on the model of the nearby monastery of Alaon. Declared of cultural interest.

- Capella (situated 6 kms. From Graus next to the river Iabena) Paris Church of St. Martin. Medieval bridge with 7 arches. On the outskirts, in the district of Laguarres, is the Hermitage of our Lady of Plan. (Keys in the parish church of Capella).

- Montañana (on the N-230. Historical-Artistic Monuments). Church of our Lady of Baldos, with an interesting façade with 5 archivolts and capitals with representations.

- Pano (very near to Graus. Uninhabited, but easy to reach). Hermitage of St. Anton 811th c. (Declared of cultural interest).

- La Puebla de Castro (Between Graus and El Grado, near to the reservoir of Barasona). The Hermitage of St. Roman de Castro (12th c), declared of cultural interest belongs to this parish.

Photo Source: Antonio García Omedes