The
north-eastern area of the District of Somontano is framed by the gentle
contours of the Salinas and the Carrodilla Mountain Ranges, with maximum
heights between 900 and 1000 m, they are populated with forests and criss-crossed
with ancestral paths.
The ravines that rip down their hillsides pour their waters into the river
Cinca, the great spine of the territory. To the north its rough waters come
to rest in the El Grado Reservoir, to be opened into a thousand channels
across the great alluvial plain.
The river Ésera enters Somontano opening a spectacular, deep cut
in the Olvena Canyon.
The River Cinca is going to be our guide
along this route, in which we will visit little known places in the northeast
of the Somontano region.
From Barbastro take the N-123 road towards Graus. After the turning to Costean,
take the A-138 road towards France. After passing by the village of Enate,
situated on an old fluvial terrace of the River Cinca, we arrive at El Grado,
and the turning towards Naval. Eleven kilometres further on, we stop off
at the noble town of Naval with its historic old quarter, one of the most
beautiful in Somontano. The collegiate church of Santa María ( historic
monument ) is well worth a visit, as is of course, the pottery visitors´
centre, and the potters´ workshops.
Naval´s potters supplied a good part of Somontano and the central
Pyrenees. Salt production has been an important economic cornerstone for
Naval. To find out more about this ancient industry, follow the signed pathCamino
de la Sal.
(Salt route), which takes about one hour. The Rolda saltworks has fourteen
signs which help to understand an element as common as salt.
Returning to El Grado, we find that different corners of the village retain
the defensive structures which remind us of past times. From here you can
take the interesting " Ruta de los árboles monumentales "
( Route of the giant trees ), from which you can appreciate how these giants
dominate the village.
Returning to the village we take the turning towards Torreciudad, our next
destination, passing by the huge El Grado dam. Rising above the rocky shore
of the intensely blue waters , the unmistakable complex of the Sanctuary
of Torreciudad is located.
After visiting this first-rate religious centre, we again return to the
road, passing Artasona to arrive at the surprising village of Olvena. The
houses are huddled together in a privileged spot from which you can appreciate
the magnificent Olvena canyon, formed by the Ésera River. The best
viewpoints are by the cemetery, from which you can also gaze at the El Grado
dam, the Pyrenees and the densely forested banks of the River Cinca.
Going back to the car, take the local road towards the A-139, which links
Barbastro with Graus. Stopping off at the bridge over the River Ésera,
we find that beneath our feet lies the medieval"Puente
del Diablo" (Devil´s bridge). Staying
in the magnificent Olvena canyon, we find another surprise further on towards
Graus. After passing through various tunnels, there is a small car-park
on the left from which a five minute walk takes us to the spectacular bridge
"Puente
de la Sierra".
Our route of mountains and rivers finishes by visiting the old villages
of Estada and Estadilla. From Estadilla you have access to the Carrodilla
Sanctuary and the Neolithic Forau del Cocho cave paintings.
Naval Foto: Ignacio Pardinilla
Presa de El Grado Foto: Mariano Olivera - Comarca del Somontano
Congosto de Olvena Foto: Mariano Olivera - Comarca del Somontano
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