Aínsa-Sobrarbe, new Capital of Rural Tourism 2018
the reign of Sigüenza What Capital of Rural Tourism has come to an end. his successor, the Huesca town of Aínsa-Sobrarbe , has managed to prevail over his opponents with more than 16,000 votes in his favour, almost twice as many as Villaviciosa (Asturias), who came in second place.
This year's initiative of the EscapadaRural.com portal has doubled its number of participants and has kept us on edge during the month that the voting lasted.
The wonder of getting lost in its streets
MORE THAN A MILLENNIUM AT THE FOOT OF THE CANYON
Aínsa-Sobrarbe is undoubtedly one of the jewels of the Aragonese Pyrenees, a domino made up of 29 tiles, result of the efforts of the State to avoid the depopulation of the municipalities in the last 50 years.
Capital of the ancient Kingdom of Sobrarbe, the first of the Christian kingdoms of the Iberian Peninsula of the Reconquest, the municipalities of the region carry on their backs the long passage of their more than a thousand years of existence.
Going through the history of the municipalities of Aínsa-Sobrarbe is not easy, basically because it has lots of historical point of interest to visit.
Starting from the town of Aínsa, we find its imposing 11th century castle, declared an Asset of Cultural Interest, which was expanded and restructured over the years until well into the 17th century.
In addition, Aínsa boasts of the Church of Santa Maria, a Romanesque temple from the 11th century that was consecrated in the year 1181 and that watches over the town from its tower of considerable dimensions.
The Covered Cross of Aínsa It is another of the most photographed destinations by tourists due to its significance for the inhabitants of the region. It is located in a place called 'The Moorish', where in the year 724 it is said that a battle was fought in which the Christians, inferior in number and on the verge of defeat, managed to defeat the Muslims after a cross engulfed in flames appeared that restored their courage and courage in the battle. This cross is the symbol of Sobrarbe and we can appreciate it in the coat of arms of Aragon.
Church of Santa Maria
Strolling through the centuries-old streets of Aínsa forces you to feel his sobriety, his calm. It's almost like sitting with that octogenarian grandfather who tells stories of other times as if they happened yesterday.
Turning corners can lead us to run into houses that have seen centuries die, such as the house latorre (current Museum of Trades), the Bielsa House or the Arnal House , jewels of the old town.
A PRIVILEGED NATURAL ENVIRONMENT
Undoubtedly, one of the greatest attractions of Aínsa-Sobrarbe is found in a wild nature that allows the realization of infinity of outdoor activities.
There are three green spaces that you must visit:
1. Natural Park of the Sierra and Canyons of Guara. It is a fabulous park bounded by imposing rocky escarpments where three great birds of the Iberian fauna share an empire: the golden eagle, the griffon vulture and the bearded vulture. The play of water in this piece of capricious nature has caused the formation of its canyons and ravines to become Preferred destination for lovers of canyoning and adrenaline-filled descents.
Ordesa and Monte Perdido National Park
two. Posets-Maladeta Natural Park. Without a doubt, one of the best prepared destinations for tourism in the region. This piece of the planet, adored by nature lovers, is crowned by the Aneto peak, the highest of the Pyrenees, with an altitude of 3,404 meters above sea level. Also, Benasque Valley It is one of the most requested for ski lovers in the Aragonese Pyrenees.
3. Ordesa and Monte Perdido National Park. This year 2018, the park celebrates its first 100 years as a National Park, declared of Public Interest by the Government of Aragon. We already discovered in its day the magic of the most beautiful villages of the Ordesa National Park and its fascinating waterfall route. Its forests hide animals as shy and silent as the grouse or marmot. The infinity of routes through the National Park makes enjoying this privileged natural environment a treasure.
EAT AND DRINK IN AÍNSA-SOBRARBE
One of the biggest recommendations for foodies, now that the heat is beginning to tighten a bit, is to enjoy the gastronomic offer of the town in the terraces of the Plaza Mayor. In fact, enjoy a wine from the land of Huesca After a tourist day of walking and walking, it is a well-deserved prize, both for the curious and for the most demanding gourmets.
The Aínsa-Sobrarbe table is a table where grilled meat She is one of the great protagonists. No lack grilled lamb or veal , often preceded by a delicious onion soup or seasonal vegetables as a side dish.
Don't stop sitting on their terraces
They also take advantage the native fish of its rivers such as trout , which they prepare on the grill or in the oven. In addition, being a land of great mycological wealth, in mushroom season the cuisine of the region is transformed into a gastronomic festival where the boletus edulis or the níscalo They grab all the limelight.
We can't forget that Huesca is a land of wines. And fantastic wines. We are in the house of one of the most appreciated appellations of origin in our country: Somontano. In fact, we have to remember that the warehouses of the C.R.D.O. Somontano They are beginning to be recognized for their commitment to modernity and differentiation.
In addition, part of the region's tourism is beginning to focus on visits to wineries, entering fully into the dynamics of wine tourism , the hype of the last decade. In fact, many of the houses in Aínsa have a cellar under the ground. They have definitely gotten their act together, and this is reflected in their tourism. Outstanding.
BONUS TRACK FOR THE CURIOUS
The Sobrarbe region has been closely linked to the legend of witches. In fact, the Ordesa National Park was once a highly sought-after enclave as a coven. Thousands of stories are told revolving around the witches who danced with the devil at nightfall. They can still be seen in the doors of Aínsa some symbols of protection. Superstitions...
More than a millennium watching life go by