There are many in Spain who during the december bridge They want to get away from the crowds that form in big cities and choose to make a getaway to places full of nature. The streets of Madrid and Barcelona are overwhelmed by the excessive number of tourists and locals who flock to the most central streets, and that is why many prefer to spend a few days in a authentic haven of peace.
One of the favorite destinations to spend Constitution Day and Immaculate Conception Day in a unique environment is the Aran Valley (Val d’Aran). This region located northwest of the province of Lleida is located in the border between Spain and France, in the heart of the Pyrenees, and is also adjacent to the autonomous community of Aragón. In addition to being an ideal enclave to discover the purest nature, It is full of beautiful towns that will fascinate lovers of rural tourism.
From Montgarri to the towns of Alto Arán (and Baqueira)
The route through this impressive Pyrenean region begins in abandoned town of Montgarri. Among its ghostly streets, the impressive 16th century sanctuary (although its origin dates back to the 12th century) and its imposing bell tower. Of course, you should dress as warmly as possible, since it is the coldest town in Spain. After a brief walk through its surroundings, it is time to continue along the narrow roads of the region, although you can make a stop along the way.
If you are a ski lover, you can take a short excursion to Baqueira-Beret, one of the best-known stations in all of Spain, before continuing to the towns that make up the municipality of Alto Arán. The first of these towns that tourists come across is Baqueira itself, from which you can take the Camin tá Beret and walk to the neighbor Bargerque, the highest of all and which is included in the list of ‘Most Beautiful Towns in Spain’. Its main attraction is the Church of Sant Feliu, a Romanesque temple from the 13th century.
The next stop on the route is Salardú, the municipal capital and where the Garonne and Unhòla rivers converge and which is dominated by the St. Andrew’s Church, a sublime Romanesque temple from the 12th century located at the top of the town and which is one of the greatest exponents of this style. After walking through the picturesque streets of the town, which seem like they were taken from the Alps, we must continue the road to Arties, but before arriving you have to make another stop to admire one of the jewels of the Aran Valley.
Just one kilometer from Salardú is the population of Gessa, whose practically identical houses give it a very curious appearance. Once seen, it is time to resume the march towards Arties, the last town that is part of Upper Aran. In it you will not only be impregnated with the purest Pyrenean essence, since it is within feet of the Montardo, But here you can walk along the banks of the Garonne River and contemplate an incredible architectural heritage: St. Mary’s Church (11th century), that of San Juan (14th century) or the Casa de los Portolà, current Parador, corroborate this.
The west of the Aran Valley: from Vielha to Bausen
Leaving behind the municipality of Alto Arán we head towards Vielha, a municipality of more than 3,600 inhabitants which is the nerve center of the region. In addition to having buildings as magnificent as the Romanesque church of San Miguel or the Hermitage of Santa María de Mijarán, you can rest for a few hours before facing the last part of the route through this impressive region of the Pyrenees.
The penultimate stop is beautiful town of Bosost, one of the greatest exponents of Aranese Romanesque architecture thanks to its magnificent Church of the Assumption of Mary, declared an Asset of National Cultural Interest and one of the greatest wonders you will come across in the Aran Valley. To put an end to the route, There is no better place than Bausen, a town right on the border with France where you can enjoy the most traditional Aranese architecture.
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