This latest addition to the collection of guide books under the name of RUTASCAI por Aragón, takes the reader to the north-eastern corner of Aragon. The Ribagorza is a large area crossed by three main rivers: the Ésera, the Isábena and the Noguera Ribagorzana, the latter forming a natural border with the Catalonian province of Lérida. The rich and diverse geographical features include the Posets-Maladeta Park, which has the highest peaks in the whole Pyrenees, famous mountains such as the Turbón, spectacular valleys such as Benasque and other, lesser-known delights such as the Ballibierna and Cornudella valleys, as well as extraordinary sites like Montsec.

There is an intimate link between the contrasts in the landscape and the Ribagorza’s rich cultural and artistic heritage, which abounds in chapels, monasteries, castles, bridges, villages, fiestas and cultural activities steeped in the area’s fascinating history. This heritage now provides the area with attractions that draw in and surprise those who are fortunate enough to visit.

As in previous books in this series, the guide includes chapters on food, drink and local crafts. It also offers an up-to-date list of accommodation, restaurants and other useful services.

Contents:

• How to get there
• The Natural Environment: the local geography, vegetation and fauna.
• The Human Environment: history, art, culture and languages spoken in Ribagorza.
• Traditions and fiestas.
• Routes:
  • Mudéjar art and architecture.
  • Castles in the Ribagorza.
  • Gothic art and the mediaeval towns.
  • Mediaeval bridges.
  • The Marian route. Shrines and hermitages.
  • Graus.
  • Benabarre. A historical tour around the town.
  • Montsec.
  • The Arén dinosaurs.
  • Turbón. 
  • Gallinero and El Solano. o
  • The Estós valley. ·
• Sections on specific subjects of interest: 
  • The Posets-Maladeta Park.
  • Romanesque art and architecture in the Ribagorza. 
  • Roda de Isábena. 
  • Montañana. A journey into the Middle Ages. ·
• Museums, visitor centres and exhibitions. ·
• Food and drink. ·
• Craft work. ·
• Helpful information and addresses. ·
• Bibliography.

© Prames

- A brief extract from one of the routes suggested in the guide -

THE ARÉN DINOSAURS

The route assists the reader in discovering part of the natural, artistic and architectural heritage of the town of Arén/Areny de Noguera and one stretch of the middle Noguera Ribagorzana valley.

The journey takes us back 65 million years to meet the famous hadrosaurs, a species of dinosaur living in the tropical deltas which made up the Ribagorza ecosystems at the time. Closer to the present time, the guide also takes us to the Cornudella burial chambers hidden in the depths of a magnificent oak forest.

Difference in altitude over the whole route: 390 metres.

Time required: approximately 2½ hours (not including the walk around the town of Arén).

Difficulty: Easy to medium.

You are strongly advised to take plenty of water.