Roda de Isábena Cathedral
Roda de Isábena is located on the hill that dominates the valley of the same name. Capital of the former County of Ribagorza in the XNUMXth century and the seat of the bishop, it is one of the most surprising towns in the province of Huesca in particular and, in general, of everything Aragon.
Strolling through its narrow streets and its squares of origin medieval, you will feel transported to another era. Likewise, visiting its wonderful monuments and contemplating the High Aragonese landscape from its viewpoints you will enjoy an unforgettable stay in the town of Huesca. And let's not say if you enjoy the exquisite gastronomy of the area in the restaurant installed in the same cloister of its cathedral. If you want to know Roda de Isábena, we invite you to follow us on our tour.
What to see in Roda de Isábena
All this Aragonese town as a whole is a monument. Its cobbled streets framed by arches, its palatial buildings and its walls will make you feel like a medieval knight walking through it. However, there are some essential places to visit.
Plaza Mayor
Roda is all pedestrian so you will have to leave your vehicle in the parking lot outside. You will enter the villa through the Portal of Santa Ana, where you have a viewpoint with magnificent views of the Isábena valley. Then you will continue through the Santa Ana street, made up of medieval stone houses with arcades and you will end up in the wide Plaza Mayor, where the cathedral is located.
Typical street of Roda de Isábena
Cathedral of San Vicente, pride of Roda de Isábena
This temple Lombard Romanesque It is the oldest cathedral in Aragon. Its construction began in the year 956 by mandate of Ramon II, Count of Ribagorza, although it ended in the XNUMXth century. On its façade, the imposing portal with capitals and Mudejar door lavishly decorated. As for the interior, you can see in it several Romanesque paintings and a beautiful cloister attached.
The temple is a source of pride for the inhabitants of the town of Huesca, who can boast of being the smallest town in Spain that has a cathedral.
Fortified Palace of the Prior
Behind the cathedral you will find this XNUMXth century construction. Built with ashlars, it has two square towers, one of which overlooks the Plaza Mayor in Roda de Isábena. Likewise, from this Abbey house, as it is also known, part of the Wall of the locality.
Castle of La Llecina
It is located on the mountain of the same name, dominating the valley of the river Isábena, on the outskirts of the town. Although it is A CulturalOnly a rectangular tower in ruins and a part of the outer wall remain of this construction.
Church of Santa María de la Asunción
Also declared A CulturalIts construction began in the XNUMXth century, although there were important later reforms. It closes the wall of Roda on its northern part and draws attention to its crenellated tower and its three apses chained under it.
Prior's Palace
Hermitage of Santa Barbara
Its construction dates from the seventeenth century. It is a small and simple building with a rectangular plan and gabled roof, although at its head there is a keep which is already integrated into the wall of Roda de Isábena. It is not the only hermitage that you can see in the town. You can also see the Pillar, Esthete, San Salvador, San Mamés and San Martin del Boix.
San Jaime Bridge
This bridge Romanesque it was built in the XNUMXth century to save the river Isábena. It has a single arch of almost twenty meters of light and over its fifty-four meters in length runs a narrow medieval road.
Oil mill
It is an old oil press that was used between the XNUMXth and XNUMXth centuries and was known as "Beam and quintal". It is only partially preserved so you will hardly see the containers and wooden structures.
Oil mill remains
How to get to Roda de Isábena
While you have lines of bus that take you to the Ribagorza region from Huesca, Zaragoza and even Lleida, the best way to travel to Roda de Isábena is by your own car. To get there, if you come from the west, for example from Barcelona, you must take the N-230 road and then turn off at the A-1605. Instead, from the east and south, you have to travel by the N-123a and then by the same A-1605. You should also take this if you are traveling from the north, but first you must go along the N-260 road.
When is it better to travel to the town of Huesca
Roda de Isábena has long and cold winters, while summers are quite warm. For its part, rainfall averages around 400 liters per square meter. Therefore, the best time for you to visit the Aragonese town is summer. In addition, in August their festivals.
What to eat in Roda de Isábena
One of the most outstanding products of the town of Huesca is the truffle, which occurs in abundance in the area. And also the sausages, with some particulars such as coquette or the sausage. Equally good are cheese both cow, sheep or goat.
San Jaime Bridge
As for the typical dishes, stands out above the others the roast beef. But they are also very popular chiretas, which are lamb tripe stuffed with rice, bacon, organ meats or ham; the Filled rabbit; the recall, a stew that has green beans, potatoes, cabbage and pork or beef, and the farinettes, Aragonese version of the porridge.
As for the sweets, the filled pastilles, some pieces of empanada that are prepared with eggs, sugar and anise to fill them with honey and walnuts. In stiff competition with them are the crepes, which are borage battered in milk, flour and egg to fry and sprinkle with sugar. As a complement to this delicious meal, you have the great wines of the area.
In conclusion, Roda de Isábena is a beautiful medieval village located in the no less beautiful Ribagorza region. As you walk through its narrow and cobbled streets, appreciate the extraordinary views from its viewpoints and visit its monuments, you will feel that you have traveled back in time to a past that was brilliant in the town of Huesca.