Sightseeing in Huesca - what to see. Complete travel guide
Hidden among the Aragon valleys, the Spanish city of Huesca still has gorgeous historic architecture in great condition. The atmosphere in Huesca is very Spanish – it is energetic and unstoppable. The city center still has many landmarks to see but Huesca is a modern and dynamic city. Besides that, the city’s landscape is very diverse. No other settlement in Spain has such an interesting terrain. The Pyrenees protect the city from strong winds on the north, and the southern side of the city borders with Los Monegros, a comarca (semidesert) with the rough climate. A vacation in Huesca promises to be unusual.
During archaeological excavations, scientists found ancient coins near the modern city of Huesca. These coins had one word engraved on them – Bolskan. Most probably, this was the ancient name of this settlement. During the Roman Empire period, the settlement got a new name, Osca. When the Arabs captured Osca, local people, just like other Spanish people in other cities, had to endure many troubles. The city’s infrastructure suffered much damage from the invaders. Three centuries later, the King of Aragon exempted the region from the alien forces, and Huesca became the capital of the region.
The Holy Cathedral of the Transfiguration of the Lord is the most attractive shrine that is reminiscent of an old castle. This important landmark of Huesca is a wonderful example of the gothic style. Located on Cathedral Square, the gorgeous church is built on the top of a hill. When King James I of Aragon was the ruler in this region, he ordered to build this sacred building in the 13th century.
The shape of the cathedral reminds of a Latin cross. Its inner décor features three naves and several side chapels. The Holy Cathedral of the Transfiguration of the Lord still has some elements of the ancient Romanesque church that stood here before. You can see the ancient portico with an arched entrance adorned with archivolts. Large columns on both sides make the arc look even more impressive.
Do you want to see the oldest Spanish fort? For this purpose, you need to go to the nearby town of Monzon and see the Monzon Castle built in the 10th century. If you want to learn more about Arabic architecture, this landmark is the best place to do this. During the fight for independence, Sancho Ramirez and his Aragonese troops captured the castle. The stronghold got new walls soon after that, but the castle was completely finished only in the 18th century.
According to historic data, King James I lived in this castle when he was a child. Nowadays, only walls have remained from the once spectacular royal residence. The inner yard with a tower, residential part, dining hall, stables, and temple are now lost and have turned into centuries-old ruins. Despite the ruined condition, the Monzon Castle is a historic landmark protected by the government.
The Castle of Loarre is one more architectural landmark that deserves the attention of tourists. It was built in the first part of the 11th century. King Sancho III ordered to build a protective citadel that could save the town and its people from the foreign invaders. This is one of the oldest castles in Spain. For many years, the Castle of Loarre was a royal residence. At some period, the castle was transformed into a monastery.
The gorgeous fortress is built on a limestone rock. The choice of the site for the protective building was not random – it was impossible to make a hidden tunnel below the castle and capture it this way. A high wall surrounded the castle. It had one square-shaped tower and ten semi-cylindrical towers. The wall is quite long, approximately two hundred meters, and has only one entrance. This was made on purpose as it was harder to capture the castle with such a wall. The beautiful Capella de Santa María de Valverde with excellent acoustic is an important building inside the fortress.
The fastest and inexpensive way to get to Huesca is to reach Barcelona first. You can fly to this city as its international airport accommodates flights from many countries. Having arrived in Barcelona, head to the central railway station and take a train to Sants. After that, get on a bus to Huesca. The journey time is approximately one hour. Besides that, it is possible to reach Huesca from Madrid by train. Tourists need to keep in mind that there is only one train a day that goes in this direction.
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City tours, excursions and tickets in Huesca and surroundings
Reference information
Map of all castles
Survived castles around Huesca
♥ Castle 'Castle of Montearagón' Huesca, 5.8 km from the center. On the map
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♥ Castle 'Castle of Loarre' Huesca, 27.3 km from the center. On the map
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♥ Castle 'Castle of Marcuello' Huesca, 31.8 km from the center. On the map
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♥ Castle 'Citadel of Jaca' Huesca, 50.4 km from the center. On the map
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♥ Castle 'Castle of Monzón' Huesca, 55.3 km from the center. On the map
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Map of all parks
National and city parks around Huesca
♥ Natural Park 'Sierra y los Cañones de Guara' , 31.8 km from the center. On the map
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♥ Nacional Park 'Ordesa y Monte Perdido' , 67.8 km from the center. On the map
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♥ World Heritage Site 'Pyrénées - Mont Perdu' , 70.5 km from the center. On the map
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♥ Natural Park 'Valles Occidentales' , 78.3 km from the center. On the map
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♥ Natural Park 'Bardenas Reales' , 93 km from the center. On the map
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Sights around Huesca from our guide 'Extreme places on Earth'
Canfranc Rail Station
From the series “Deserted Places Causing the Feeling of Chill”
Check on the map: Distance from Huesca center - 69.4 km.
The station went desolated in 70s of the last century. For several years, it was full of burglars and vandals. A new stage in the history of the old station began in 1985, when a scientific community became interested in it. For many years, scientists have searched for a suitable location for a secret lab. In the 80s the laboratory was set in the abandoned tunnels of the station. The test facility, which carried out various physical experiments, is still working now. That’s a protected object, so tourists are allowed visiting the building of the abandoned station only in the framework of organized tours. …
Read further Distance from Huesca center - 69.4 km.
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Search touristic sites on the map of Huesca
All about Huesca, Spain - sightseeings, attractions, touristic spots, architecture, history, culture and cuisine. Prepare your trip together with OrangeSmile.com - find out the 'must see' things in Huesca, which places to visit, which excursions to take, where the breathtaking views are waiting for you. Planning your trip with this travel guide will help your to get the most out of Huesca in few days.
