Discover Novales: Building History and River Landscapes

Novales offers several distinct points of interest for a trip: late Romanesque church architecture, buildings from different centuries, local festivals and the natural heritage of the Río Guatizalema. If you are looking for a hotel in Novales, you can plan your trip around whether building history, a festival date or the river landscape is your main focus.

Church, Castle and Bridge

The Iglesia de Nuestra Señora del Rosario dates back to a late Romanesque building from the late 12th century. It was remodelled and enlarged in the 16th and 17th centuries. Its rectangular floor plan comprises a single-nave church and a separate chancel; a semicircular apse adjoins it to the east. The portal is on the Gospel wall, and a crypt lies beneath the nave. Together, the floor plan, apse and later phases of remodelling give the church a distinctive architectural character.

The Castillo de Novales also has several construction phases. The tower at the western corner of the wall and the adjoining section of the northern wall were built after 1451; their construction may date back to the 16th century. The east and south walls date from the 16th and 17th centuries. This distinction in dates helps place the different parts of the complex in context, rather than viewing it as a structure built all at once.

The Puente de Novales is near the town, on the route that connected Novales with Pertusa. It crosses the Río Guatizalema on four semicircular arches made of stone blocks, which vary in size. The shape of its arches and its former connection to the route show two different aspects of the structure: its construction and its role along a road linking the two towns.

Other Traces of Local History

Outside Novales, in the area known as “Nido de los Cuervos,” there are archaeological sites from the Iron Age. They extend the historical perspective beyond the medieval and later buildings. Among the other historic structures, the Fuente vieja recalls earlier everyday uses: it served as a watering place for livestock and a washing place. Built of stone blocks with three outlets, it was reconstructed in 1907.

At the Azud del Molino, a canal along the left bank carries water for about 1,700 metres to the Molino de Ferrer. The mill itself is built of stone blocks; the millpond and part of the associated bread oven have been preserved. The canal, mill and documented uses give the waterscape a technical and economic dimension as well.

River Landscapes and Routes

The Río Guatizalema and its galachos are part of Novales’ natural heritage. The galachos formed by the river provide special oases for local animal and plant species. In summer in particular, the Río Guatizalema is used for recreation and swimming. Nature and water here are therefore not just features of the landscape, but also offer a seasonal leisure activity.

Two routes offer different highlights. The R 4 “Huesca-Somontano-Sierra de Guara” ornithological route passes through Novales and is open year-round; check road conditions before setting out. The signposted “Por el llano de la comarca” driving route runs from Corvinos via Novales to Piracés. While one is designated as an ornithological route, the other places Novales on a regional driving itinerary.

Festivals and Pilgrimage

Novales’ main festival begins on the first Sunday in October, lasts four days and is dedicated to the Virgen del Rosario. This fixed date in the annual calendar may be a consideration when planning a trip. Another local tradition is the pilgrimage on 26 July to the Ermita de San Joaquín. The Ermita is a 19th-century chapel near Novales. From Novales, it can be reached via the A-131 towards Huesca-Sariñena.

Discover more destinations: Ayerbe, Tamarite De Litera, Lárrede, Panticosa, Morillo De Liena, Benavente de Aragón, Abiego, Loporzano

For the broader travel overview: Huesca.