Huesca, with about 55,000 inhabitants, is the capital of Aragon's northernmost province, at the foot of the Sierra de Guara and the gateway to the Aragonese Pyrenees. It is a calm, pleasant city with a compact old town and an excellent base for exploring one of Spain's finest natural regions.
History
It was Roman Osca, where the general Sertorius founded a school for the sons of Iberian chiefs. Taken by the Muslims, it was recaptured by King Peter I of Aragon in 1096 and for a time was the kingdom's capital. Huesca is linked to the legend of the Bell of Huesca: in the 12th century King Ramiro II the Monk is said to have beheaded the rebellious nobles, arranging their heads in a circle like a bell, with the leader's in the middle as the clapper. In 1354 the Sertorian University was founded here.
What to see
- The Gothic cathedral of Santa María, with its carved portal, Damián Forment's alabaster altarpiece and views from the tower.
- The monastery of San Pedro el Viejo, with its Romanesque cloister and the pantheon of the kings of Aragon, including Ramiro II.
- The Museo de Huesca, in the old university and palace of the kings of Aragon, with the Sala de la Campana, where tradition places the beheading.
- The modernista Círculo Oscense palace and the Casino.
- Miguel Servet park, a large 19th-century garden.
- CDAN, the Art and Nature Centre, designed by Rafael Moneo.
Festivals and food
The San Lorenzo festival, from 9 to 15 August, is the most important: everyone dresses in white and green, with basil, and the danzantes dance in front of the basilica of San Lorenzo. Food: ternasco de Aragón, migas, crespillos, trenzas de Almudévar, plaited sweet breads, and DO Somontano wines.
Around Huesca
- Loarre castle, one of Europe's best-preserved Romanesque castles and a film set.
- The Mallos de Riglos, red conglomerate towers up to 300 metres high, a climbers' paradise.
- The Sierra de Guara, famous for canyoning.
- Ordesa and Monte Perdido National Park, a UNESCO site.
- Benasque, Jaca and the monastery of San Juan de la Peña.
Getting there
Huesca is linked to Zaragoza by train, including AVE, and bus in about an hour. The nearest airport with scheduled flights is Zaragoza.