Aragon Guide

Loarre is the most important Romanesque fortress in Spain. It lies in the Sierra de Gratal, an isolated region nestled deep within the foothills of the Pyrenees. The name Loarre is believed to be a derivative from ancient Iberic meaning rocky castle or fortress. Today, the earliest visible architectural remains at the castle are from the Roman frontier fortification known as Calagurris Fibularia. During the period of the Roman Empire this region was known as Caesaraugusta. The Loarre castle origins are exclusibly to defended the border line of Sancho el Mayor, king of Navarra, like part of its defensive line of its Aragon territories. It was an advance position too, in front of the muslim fortresses of Bolea and Ayerbe. From these times are the oldest areas of the castle, like the Homenaje and Queen towers Santa Maria church; Its construction was between 1.016 and 1.020 with Lombard architects and early romanic style.
Sancho Ramirez, king of Aragon, founded a monastery at Swat Augustine in Loarre in 1.071, adding to the military function, the religious one. This was constructed in the particular Jaca romanic style. It must be destacated the complex entrance, with the crypt and Saint Peter’s Church, with its stylish dome and chapitel joint.
In 13th after the Christian kingdoms reconquest advance, the castle loss its privileged borderline position and it its feet begun a village (its rest can be visited: burials, defensive wall...)