Balcón del Pirineo has an eagle’s eye view of nature over the Broto and Ordesa Valleys in the Pyrenees of Aragon. Enjoy rural tourism in its very essence.
Cultural heritage in the surrounding area:
1. Following the course of the Ara River along N260:
In the Broto Valley, the “Casa del Valle” and the prison are two highlights, both dating from the 16th century, which can be visited in summer. Oto, with its two defensive towers. Buesa features an impressive church and a chapel devoted to St. Christopher, as well as a parchment that tells us the history of the village back in the 11th century. The esconjuradero, a type of shrine, and the image of Christ in Asin de Broto. The defensive tower in Linas de Broto and the carnival of Torla. In the area of Sobrepuerto belonging to Broto, we can find the 11th-century Lombard-style Romanesque church in Otal, the terraces of Escartín and the church of Bergua.
Following the course of the Ara River, we reach Fiscal, which features the recently restored Lacort fulling mill, a Romanesque gateway and an observatory.
In the middle basin of the Ara River, there are several villages that were abandoned as a result of the failed Jánovas reservoir project. Paradoxically, it is interesting to note that janovas comes from Arabic, meaning gate, and allegedly the Muslims never crossed this point. The deserted villages of Cajol, Burgase, Muro and Yeba, with magnificent views, are worth a visit.
Finally, we come to Boltaña and Ainsa, the first of which is the county seat of Sobrarbe, boasting castle ruins and a pretty 16th-century parish church. Near Boltaña, Guaso and Santa Maria de Buil are must-sees. Ainsa represents the crossroads between the Cinca and Ara rivers, and also a mixture of cultures and legends, well worthy of a stroll through its stone-paved streets, the ruins of its castle engulfing us in a magical medieval spirit, with the silhouette of Monte Perdido y Ordesa in the background.
2. More cultural attractions in Sobrarbe County:
The architecture and uniqueness of the San Vitorian Monastery, the chapels and dolmen of Tella, Alquézar and the Fanlo collegiate church.
In the municipality of La Fueva, Muro de Roda features the 12th-century St. Mary parish church, in which only the foundations of the original round tower remain standing. There is also the 16th-century St. Bartholomew. chapel.
The Samitier castle and the Abizanda castle, its lookout tower and residence make it a unique example. The Binéfar puppeteers give performances here.
Musical folklore, the Ainsa Castle festivals, carnival celebrations in Torla and Bielsa, and the ethnographic documentary festival in Espiello all round off the agenda.