Ainsa, the capital of the Sobrarbe

The village of Ainsa is divided into two areas: the old part built behind the watchtower and the new part where the rivers Cinca and Ara meet.

The oldest inhabitants appear to have been the Romans because of the ruins found near the "CRUZ CUBIERTA" (covered cross). Later on the possible occupation by the Visigoths, the Moslems and even under Frankish control no trace was left that would help the historians in their work. On the contrary, it is the legend that establishes the date of 724 as the historical beginning of Ainsa.

The Christian troops, under the command of Garci-Ximeno, came from Jaca and defeated the Moorish army near the walls of the town. They were helped by an apparition of a cross above a kermes oak. This caused panic amongst the moors, who then fled. The town was regained and the Moorish palace became the residence of Garci-Ximeno.

This is how the future county of the Sobrarbe was born in a mystical way until in 820 it was declared the capital of the Sobrarbe. In 1124 Alfonso the First gave Ainsa a "CARTA PUEBLA" which favoured the arrival of people from other areas in order to increase the town's population. From this date, its geographical position would have been the reason for many advantages.

In 1404 king Martin the First allowed the celebration of festivals of international character which lasted for twenty days. This shows the importance of Aínsa during this period and lasted until the l7th century, which then saw the start of the decline caused mainly by the reduction in population which went on until the end of the 1940s.

From then on began a slow recovery both in the tourist and commercial industries.

Of all the monuments the most outstanding is the ex-collegiate church, an extraordinary medieval work of art. It has only one aisle with a vault in the half vault pointed style. It has a crypt with 18 columns and some primitive, valuable capitals; the cloister with three Romanesque wings and one Gothic; and the tower with its unique dimensions in Aragonese Romanesque. It has a military style with its outstanding top part, which has wide windows from where there is a spectacular view.

The castle, which now is being re-built, joins the walls and large towers together to form a square. It was built in the 11th century and leads onto a courtyard displaying arms.

The "PLAZA MAYOR" (Main Square) with its trapezium shape, said to be "the most beautiful of medieval Spain". All its original construction remains, perhaps built in the 12th and 13th centuries with its two sides facing each other and its arcades harmoniously constructed. Almost all of the ramparts are still standing. They were built in two different periods, the first walled enclosure coming from the 11th-12th century and the second from the 14th-15th. The two inner streets that form the town centre are very well kept, preserving the feel of the past. The "CALLE MAYOR" (main street) is closed off at both ends with arches.

The "CRUZ CUBIERTA" is a simple monument located near the castle in the supposed spot where the battle against the Saracens took place. It symbolises the town's historical birth. Inside the monument you can see the emblems of Ainsa and the Sobrarbe.