San Victorian monastery and la Fueva valley

Monasterio de San Victorian is both part of the history of Aragon and Catalonia. It is here that Ramiro II El Monje (king of Aragon) and Ramon Berenguer IV (count of Barcelonia) met together to arrange the wedding of the latter and Ramiro II El Monje's daughter Doña Petronila. This union gave rise to the union of the crown of Aragon. Today we look at this cornerstone with sadness because it now lies in ruins. The Monastery of San Victonian is perhaps the oldest in Spain (10th centuny) founded by a gothic king (no available documents). Once it was restored by Sancho El Mayor in the 11th century it became both eclesiastically and politically important for many years.

San Juan de Toledo: in this village we find an exceptional example of lombard architecture in the church, San Juan Bautista. It has only one nave ending in a triforium gallery (12th century). Work began in the first four months of the 11th century but was interrupted and was not completed untill a hundred years later. In 1599 murals, the most outstanding depicting the final judgement, were painted on the gallery's vaults. At the same time

there were some improvements made to the church with addition of a narrow tower and a lateral chapel. Work, started in 1980, has restored the monument almost to its original form which makes for a very interesting visit.

Tierrantona: has a romanesque church with changes made in the 16th and 19th centuries.

Muro de Roda: medieval type settlement protected by a large fortified enclosure. There is a romanesque church and a strong tower. The ramparts and church have been declared as "Artistic and Historic Monument". It is one of the most spectacular settlements in the province.

A few kilometres away, on the road to Palo, there is the Santuario de Bruís, built in the middle of the 16th century. Today it is home to youth camps. Nearby is "La Miranda" cave containing neolithic and bronze age remains.

Close to Panillo there is a Buddhist Monastery attracting many visitors.

By following the same road you come to Graus which is a village in the Ribagorza Region. This is a place, in all aspects, of great importance. The roads to Benasque, Montanuy, Benabarre and Barbastro all go through here. Apart from the region's administration services being here it is an important commercial centre with a weekly market. Each year there is a fair in celebration of San Miguel.

Its most outstanding monuments are: el Santuario de la Virgen de la Peña; Plaza Mayor with its arcades; the monument to Joaquin Costa and the late romanesque style parish church.

In Graus a visit to the ex-cathedral, Roda de Isabena, is a must. It is a real romanesque jewel from the 11th century the cathedral is part of the architectural set. It has three naves without transept and a crypt under the altar containing the remains of San Valero, bishop of Zaragoza, and the tomb of the bishop of Roda. There is also a 12th century cloister, a portico, tower and the prior's palace -all of which are perfectly preserved.

A few kilometres away is the ancient Monastery of Santa Maria de Obarra which originates from the 9th century.