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          The region of Somontano is located between the outer ranges of the Pyranees Mountains and the great Monegros Plain, in a strategic location with first class transportation network where the N240 motorway links up the regions of Aragón, Cataluña and the Basque Country, and only 60 km away from France.
The capital of the region is Barbastro which is of Roman origin, and later under Arab rule, it played an important role in the Reconquest. One of the most important attractions is the town centre, which is of great artistic, historical and monumental value, including its renaissance palaces and its various churches and museums.

The area is classed in the group of Designation of Origin (Denominación de Origen) for its wines which are produced amongst the remains of the various civilizations that have passed through these lands and the pure air that comes from the Sierra de Guara mountain range. . This same air also contributes to the processes involved in producingexcellent cheeses and cured meats.

The natural landscape that form the 1.142 km2 of the region of Huesca favours a great deal of adventurous sports that can be practiced here, the enjoyment of the wild native flora and fauna, in its diverse landscapes and ecosystems located at the meeting-point of its most important rivers: Alcanadre, Mascún, Isuala and Vero.

          The municipality of El Grado is situated in the middle of the Pre-Pyrenees and next to the reservoir that holds bears name, the original settlement has already existed at the time of the Roman domination. During the Middle Ages there was a Castle and held Foral Rights and privileges. Walking around its medieval old town we will find the former collegiate church, that has become the Church of San Salvador, and the remains of the castle and the bridge and the Roman road. Using its strategic location as an advantage to access to the regions of Sobrarbe and Ribagorza, we will have the possibility of enjoy the options that these three regions (Sobrarbe, Ribagorza and Somontano) offer us.

 

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 With the huge variety of municipalities and landscapes in the surroundings of El Grado, it has to be emphasised:

  • The Sanctuory of Torreciudad (El Santuario de Torreciudad). It is an integral part of the Mariana Route and whose first written reference is found in documents dating from approximately 1066. It is surrounded by the waters of the reservoir of El Grado and opened for worship in 1975. Among the historical cult jewellery we can find in this location there is a Roman sculpture of Nuestra Señora in the XI century

  • Alquézar is situated next to the Vero River and it has a medieval old town at the foot of an impressive castle-collegiate church. Its arcaded square is one of the most beautiful of Aragón. The landscape that could be seen from the high area brings us into the Sierra de Guara.

  • Ainsa  is the capital of the region of Sobrarbe, it is at the junction of the rivers Cinca and Ara, and close to the reservoir of Mediano. It has a privileged location since it is located between France, Monte Perdido, the National Park of Ordesa and the Park of Posets. Its old quarter has been conserved in order to maintain the medieval atmosphere.Su casco antiguo se ha conservado con celoso esmero que ha mantenido a la perfección el ambiente vital del medievo. 
  • Graus   is the municipality at the junction of the rivers Esera and Isábena, and at the top of the reservoir of Barasona. It is the administrative capital of the Ribagorza, and it has been declared a Historic- Artistic Site in 1975, the mudejar arquery in its Main Square, several sections of wall that remain upright, and the Basilica of the Virgin of La Peña which combines romanic, gothic and renacentist styles, stand out as must visit sites.
  • Abizanda , is located in the highest part of the mountain range and on the banks of the Cinca river and the reservoir of El Grado, which was an strategic point during the Reconquest in order to monitor the border to fight against Muslim incursions. Due to this defensive role, the Atalaya has been completely preserved and restored, an 11thCentury defence tower, considered a work of art of Lombardy.


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