Romanesque routes of Alto Aragón III

ROUTE 3

On our new route we set off from Graus , capital of the Ribagorza district, a very old town where two illustrious figures from Alto Aragón died:

Ramiro I, first King of Aragon, during the siege of the town against the Moors

Joaquín Costa, the famous writer and politician who championed irrigation in Alto Aragón and father of Regenerationism, known for his motto "School, pantry and seven keys to lock the Cid's tomb".

We can spend the night at the Hotel Palacio del Obispo , a charming hotel very close to the arcaded town hall square, where we have been actively involved with electronic locks minibars, mechanical solutions, energy savers and lots of enthusiasm.

Here's a glimpse of this impressive cellar dining room

We begin our route on the A-1605 road towards Roda de Isábena , which was a diocese until Ramon Berenguer IV conquered Lleida and moved the episcopal see there. Its cathedral has many notable features and the whole village is a medieval centre. Guided tours of the cathedral are available. To satisfy your appetite, we recommend eating at the Hospedería de la Catedral, under a beautiful 12th-century vault in the monks' former refectory. Traditional food in a historic setting.

We leave Roda and continue along the same road, passing through small villages, and about 15 km later we see, on our right, the Monastery of Obarra.

To see inside, we'll need to ask the sacristan in the village for the key, as it is usually closed and only the outer grounds are accessible.

After this visit we continue our route along a narrow road with a few small tunnels, finally cresting the Bonansa pass. Once down, at the crossroads we turn right into the province of Lleida towards Pont de Suert.

About 7 km before reaching it, on our left, is the L-500 road, which we take into the Boí Valley. After 15 km we see Barruera, a historic-artistic site in its entirety, and 3 km further on the Romanesque churches of Santa Eulàlia d'Erill la Vall, Sant Joan de Boí, Sant Climent and the unique tower of Santa Maria de Taüll

After our short excursion into the Boí Valley in the province of Lleida, we return to the main road towards Pont de Suert, passing it and driving through small villages until we reach Puente de Montañana , back in Aragon, a village with a remarkable historic centre.

After exploring the village, we set off again and 22 km later reach Benabarre, where we rejoin the A-1606 road to return to our starting point, Graus.