What to see in Lanuza

when talking to you about what to see in lanuza, we will not be able to mention medieval or Renaissance constructions, as they exist, for example, in the nearby Jaca village. The reason for this is that Lanuza is a new town, it is only twenty years old.

The old one is under the waters of the lanuza reservoir since 1978. Almost twenty years later, its former inhabitants rebuilt the village on the water's edge. and they did respecting the traditional architecture of the area and even replicating its monuments. For all this, when explaining what to see in Lanuza, we will show you a new town, although equally beautiful.

Lanuza's environment

The first thing we should point out to you is that Lanuza is located in a wonderful natural environment. We have already mentioned that it is on the banks of the reservoir to which it gives its name, formed by the waters of the Gállego river. But, in addition, it is in full tena valley, integrated in the Pyrenees of Huesca.

Politically, it belongs to the municipality of Sallent de Gállego, a good part of which is occupied by the imposing Natural Monument of the Pyrenean Glaciers. This name is given to a gigantic space of more than three thousand hectares that includes mountains such as the peaks Aneto y Monte Perdido, lakes, moraines and unique U-shaped valleys.

The privileged location of Lanuza allows you to enjoy mountain activities and even aquatic. Regarding the latter, in the reservoir that we have mentioned you can sail in a canoe or, in summer, take a magnificent bath. There is also a hiking trail that goes around it.

But, if we are talking about this last activity, you also have magnificent routes in Lanuza. As a sample, we will recommend the one that goes up to the Piedrafita lake. This name is given to a high mountain lake caused by glacial erosion. As the ice receded, it left an undermined space that was later flooded by water. This route is quite simple and accessible to all audiences. The same goes for the one that goes to the Os Lucas waterfall, which is located in the neighboring town of Low Oros, a place much visited by tourists. By the way, if you decide to do this tour, be sure to stop at the church of Santa Eulalia, a jewel of mozarabic art which belongs to the calls Serrablo churches, all from that same period and declared historical-artistic monuments.

Winter sports in Lanuza and its surroundings

However, these are not the only sports activities that you can practice in the tena valley. Also noteworthy among them are those linked to winter. For example, him skiing or snowboard. In fact, the Formigal station It is only nine kilometers from Lanuza. And of Subscribe even closer, just eight.

However, if you consider yourself more daring, you can launch yourself into other more unique activities. For example, a dog sledding excursion through the snow. They even offer you night rides and dinner in an igloo, if you wish. You can also enjoy a tour of the mountain in snowmobile.

And, if you travel with your young children, there are also activities for them. In Formigal itself you have the Sixth playground and Anayet snow garden. But, returning to the adventure, in the nearby municipality of Jaca stone, within the Tena Valley itself, you have the Lacuchiana Faunal Park. As its own name indicates, it is not a zoo. It is a forest through which you can take walks of about three hours through marked trails. It is a guided route in which you will get to know the main plant species of the Pyrenees. But, above all, you will see animals in their habitat. For example, deer, wolves, lynx, European bison, or reindeer.

On the other hand, after so much exercise, you should relax. For this, you have a complete spa en Sallent de Gállego with more than a thousand square meters of thermal circuit. But, above all, you can enjoy the medicinal waters of the Panticosa spa. The properties of these waters were already known to the Romans, although the facility opened its doors to the public at the beginning of the XNUMXth century. Since then it has received millions of visitors. Even their buildings were declared Set of National Tourist Interest.

However, already in the XNUMXst century, a profound reform has left the old buildings abandoned, giving it a more modern air. This circumstance has generated huge controversy in the area because there are those who consider the work disrespectful of the original historicist style and the environment.

What to see in Lanuza and what activities the town organizes

Once we have shown you everything that the nature of the tena valley, let's focus on what you can see in Lanuza. Undoubtedly, the most beautiful thing about this Aragonese town is its traditional mountain architecture. The vast majority of the houses were rebuilt respecting their historical physiognomy. Thus, they are stone buildings with gabled dark slate roofs that make up narrow, cobbled streets.

Along with these, the main monument of Lanuza is the church of the savior, built in the XNUMXth century on the remains of another Romanesque. Logically, it has been rebuilt after the recovery of the town, but respecting its forms. It has even been repositioned cover chrismon which belonged to the original temple. Also, inside it houses a silver reliquary from the XNUMXth century that contains relics of Santa Quiteria, patron saint of Lanuza.

Precisely, the festivities dedicated to it are celebrated on May 22, so the town is very lively. But her figure is commemorated again, this time next to that of San Roque, the last weekend of August. If you visit the town on these dates, you will see how it is interpreted the Palotiau, a masculine dance between the pastoral and the warrior during which the men clash their staffs.

However, the great event to see in Lanuza is the South Pyrenees Festival, which takes place the second half of July. Mainly, it is musical, although parallel activities are also carried out. For example, ethnic markets with products from all over the world, street performances and a wide gastronomic offer. But, if you are going to get to know Lanuza, you should also visit the surrounding towns, which have nothing to envy in terms of beauty. We are going to show you some of them.

Towns around Lanuza

The first visit that we recommend near Lanuza is Sallent de Gállego, capital of the municipality, which is under the shadow of the enormous Foratata Rock. Its town center is also made up of traditional mountain constructions. But, above all, you should visit the Church of the Assumption, built in the XNUMXth century following the late Gothic canons. declared A Cultural, inside you can see a beautiful Plateresque altarpiece and an image of the Virgen de las Nieves, patron saint of Sallent.

In it some masses are celebrated that have the peculiarity of keep Gregorian chant. It is performed by a choir and, if you want to enjoy it, you will have to attend the masses that are celebrated All Souls Day, Christmas Day, Easter Day or August XNUMX, festivity of the patron saint. On the other hand, in Sallent de Gállego you have a medieval bridge XNUMXth century.

Very close to Lanuza is, likewise, scale, a small town of just two hundred inhabitants. Highlights in it parish church, which houses a beautiful baroque altarpiece. And also him stone bridge which, since the XNUMXth century, crosses the Gállego river in the direction of Subscribe. Likewise, in Sandinies there is a XNUMXth century church and in Tena Castilla another Romanesque from the XNUMXth century that houses a Renaissance altarpiece dedicated to San Miguel.

Next is Jaca stone, which stands out for its stately mansions with large covers and shield. Among them are the Jaime, Silvestre and Juan de Lázaro houses, as well as the old schools. No less beautiful is the church of San Andrés, built in the XNUMXth century on a previous one from the XNUMXth century. It is a traditional construction in stone and slate that preserves the original cover. We also advise you to see the hermitage of Santa Cruz, which is processed every third of May.

Finally, we recommend that you visit the small town of The Pueyo, located a little further from Lanuza than Panticosa. Their parish church of San Miguel dates from the XNUMXth century. One hundred years later is the Valley House, place where the general meetings were held when this town was the capital of the Tena Valley. For his part, he Vinaza Palace It is a XNUMXth century manor house that today functions as a youth hostel and the Concellar bridge, on the Caldarés river, was built in the XNUMXth century.

In conclusion, we have shown you everything what to see in Lanuza. But also what you can do in its wonderful environment and the attractions that the neighboring towns have. However, if you want to go a little further, you should also go to the beautiful town of Sabinanigo, where is the pirenarium, a magnificent theme park. Likewise, in its municipal term, you have the Church of San Pedro de Larrede, one of the jewels of the Romanesque of all the Aragonese Pyrenees, and the no less beautiful set of the castle of Lerés.