The north of the peninsula is home to some of the most special natural landscapes in Spain. Its combination of mountains and valleys, added to the region’s vast history, make it an ideal destination for mountaineering or hiking adventures.
One of the most special enclaves is located near the Pyrenees, in Huesca, and stands out for being a picturesque town full of life, historical monuments and fortifications, in addition to being surrounded by Pyrenean nature, in a unique combination of heritage and environment.
In the region of Sobrarbe, the town of Aínsa is a small town of medieval origin located between the confluence of two rivers, the Cinca and the Ara. Between its two avenues (Calle Major and Calle Santa Cruz) leads to the Plaza Mayor which, together with the castle, constitutes one of the best preserved medieval heritage sites on the peninsula.
The story of Aínsa
Although the official history of Aínsa dates back to the year 1124, when Alfonso I of Aragon granted the city the Charter of Puebla, the legend of the enclave goes back 400 years earlier. According to the story of the Cross of Sobrarbe, Christians fleeing the Muslim domination of the peninsula gathered in the city to plan the reconquest.
In this way, the troops led by Garci Ximeno – considered the king of Sobrarbe – won the battle, according to the legend of the region, thanks to the appearance of a luminous cross that would have given the soldiers the courage to recover the enclave.
The legend is of great importance in the autonomous community, proof of this is the celebration of the biannual festival of La Morisma, where the history of the cross on the holm oak is commemorated, symbol of the Sobrarbe present in one of the barracks of the shield of Aragon.
In the 13th and 15th centuries, it received numerous privileges from different monarchs, thanks to its history, location and architecture. Thus, the city of Aínsa became a great cultural and meeting point in the Middle Ages, where fairs and trade took place.
Centuries later, the city began to lose its importance, a fact aggravated by the damage caused during the War of Succession and the Carlist Wars. However, being located between two rivers, at 589 meters above sea level and heavily fortified, the enclave has managed to preserve much of its historical architecture.
What to do in Aínsa
The long history of the town of Aínsa makes it an ideal place to visit both with friends and family. Walking through its streets, it is possible to enjoy a wide variety of monuments built mostly in the Middle Ages.
One of the most remarkable is the castle of Aínsa, declared a Site of Cultural Interest (BIC) and which was built in two parts. During the first, in the middle of the 11th century, the borders were redefined and various territories were fortified to counter Muslim domination.
Some time later, the castle was enlarged and renovated in the 17th century to avoid possible Gallic invasions from the other side of the Pyrenees. The building served for years as a military fort during the various war conflicts in the region.
From its interior, currently rehabilitated for different cultural activities, it is possible to see the Plaza Mayor, with its characteristic arcades, as well as the two streets into which it leads.
Another historical building that is still preserved is the parish church of Santa María, a religious monument in Romanesque style whose construction began in the 11th century and was not completed until the following one. It has a single vault and its use was also military during the conflicts that took place in the city.
However, these spaces are not the only attraction of Aínsa, the town has a large number of perfectly preserved medieval buildings. Some of the main ones are:
- Covered Cross Monument
- Medieval walls
- House of Bielsa
- Arnal House
- Romanesque bridge over the Cinca River
In addition, it is possible to enjoy five of the seven entrance gates of the enclosure, built in the Middle Ages to control the entrances and exits of the walled city. The gates that can still be visited are:
- Under the portal
- Exterior portal
- High Portal
- Glera Land Portal
- Callizo Portal
Natural parks near Aínsa
In addition to the medieval architecture present in the city, the enclave is surrounded by different natural parks where you can enjoy the fauna and flora of the region.
The Ordesa y Monte Perdido Natural Park is located less than half an hour from the city and it is possible to enjoy the Pyrenees at their best. In addition, the park was declared a World Heritage Site by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in 1997.
It will also be possible to enjoy the environment with outdoor activities such as climbing or hiking in the Sierra y Cañones de Guara Natural Park. This natural space stands out not only for the large amount of fauna and flora it houses, but also for being the largest protected natural space in Aragon.
