Alquézar: Local History, Collegiate Church and Pasarelas

Alquézar combines a medieval townscape with architectural history and a range of activities. The town was designated a historic ensemble by Royal Decree on 26 February 1982. Its historic townscape preserves the medieval layout and cobbled streets. Covered passageways, known as “callizos,” are a characteristic feature of the historic lanes. Architecture, church and museum history, as well as walking routes and climbing, offer different ways to shape your stay.

Location and historic townscape

Alquézar lies in the Sierra y Cañones de Guara Natural Park, at the foot of the Pyrenees in the province of Huesca. Its location places the town in a landscape where the natural park setting sits alongside cobbled lanes and historic architecture. If you are looking for a hotel in Alquézar, you can first consider whether your stay will focus more on the town’s history, walking routes or activities such as climbing.

Collegiate Church and Museo Casa Fabián

The history of the collegiate church goes back to an Arab fortress founded in the 9th century by the Muslim military leader Jalaf ibn Rasid ibn Asad. The present-day church was built in the 16th century and dedicated to Santa María. The cloister has a distinctive feature of its own: it is the only one in Aragón to have been preserved entirely with its paintings. The collegiate church therefore brings together several different aspects: its early origins, the later construction of the present-day church and the surviving paintings in the cloister.

Museo Casa Fabián occupies the rooms of a 17th-century house. It contains an oil mill carved into the rock, which may date back to medieval times. The collection includes farming tools and household objects associated with mowing, grape harvesting and olive gathering, as well as working with plant fibres and craft activities. These objects add insights into agriculture, domestic life and crafts to the building’s history.

Pasarelas and routes to the rock art

The Pasarelas route runs through the Río Vero gorge. It is three kilometres long, has a total elevation gain of 175 metres and takes about two hours. Its starting point is directly opposite Alquézar Town Hall on Calle de la Iglesia. This gives you the approximate duration, distance and elevation gain to take into account when planning your visit.

The route to the rock art caves of Quizans and Chimiachas offers a different focus. It starts next to Alquézar’s municipal swimming pools, where there is an information board. On the Ruta Mirador de Chimiachas, you may be able to spot griffon vultures, bearded vultures, Egyptian vultures and peregrine falcons. The routes therefore offer different experiences: the Pasarelas pass through the gorge, while the Ruta Mirador de Chimiachas is also of interest for bird of prey watching.

Climbing and cooling off

Climbing is permitted year-round in Sector 37. Sector Monchiriguel has a climbing area suitable for beginners, with routes graded from IV to 6b+. Before climbing, check the applicable regulations and current conditions in the relevant sector. The Balsas de Basacol are also a place to cool off. Together with the walking routes, historic townscape and buildings, these activities let you plan your time in Alquézar around different interests.

Discover more destinations: Bisaurri, Nueno, Centenero, Oncins, Rapún, Panticosa, Puértolas, Barbastro.

For the broader travel overview: Huesca.