Near the Pyrenees, in the province of Huesca, is this little treasure known by few. We are talking about the Spanish village of Riglos, in the region of La Hoya. The municipality, with just 250 inhabitants, has been named by the French newspaper Le Monde as the seventh most beautiful in the world.
The most beautiful villages in the world
The newspaper has published a list of the 20 most charming villages on the planet and the Spanish town is among the top 10. With its picturesque white houses on a slope, it has a privileged position on the banks of the river Gállego (Río Gállego), in a natural setting that has allowed it to be declared a Natural Monument.
What to do in Riglos
Mallos de Riglos
The Riglos landscape includes the so-called 'Mallos de Riglos', large geological formations of reddish stone that reach a height of 300 metres. These gigantic blocks of stone can be seen as you walk through the streets of the village itself.
At the entrance to the municipality is the small Romanesque chapel of San Martín, built in the 12th century, but the real star of the show is found in the upper part of the village. At the foot of the famous reddish stone formations, you can find the 17th century church of Nuestra Señora del Mallo. This is the most emblematic building in the municipality, with three naves and a square tower with a belfry. Surrounded by imposing stone walls, it creates impressive views that make it a great attraction for tourists.
Rock Climbing in Riglos
Rock Climbing in Riglos, Spain is becoming more and more popular after Spanish climbers began attempting these walls in the late 1920s. Riglos and los Mallos are nowadays well known for climbing in Spain and are a constant attraction for climbing enthusiasts, with more than 200 climbing routes, many of them of high difficulty.
Bird watching in Riglos
On top of this, for those who enjoy ornithology, the area is full of mountain birds, most of which are protected birds of prey, including several types of vultures. In fact, in what is known as the "Vulture Wall", there is a colony of these birds, one of the largest in Europe.
Hiking in Riglos
And for those who enjoy hiking, there are several signposted routes around the stone formations. The most famous is the "Vuelta a los Mallos de Riglos", a circular route lasting about two and a half hours (5.5 km) that starts in the town centre and climbs among the rocks, passing several viewpoints such as the Espinaba or the Buitres, always with the river close by.
Visit Castillo de Loarre
Another must-see when passing through Riglos is the castle, Castillo de Loarre. A fortress 20 km from the village, it has been declared an Asset of Cultural Interest and a National Monument. The medieval castle was built by order of Sancho III in the 11th century and is located in the heart of the Loarre mountain range, surrounded by a 10,000m2 wall built in 1287, with a perimeter of 172 m.
The building is in surprisingly good condition, and inside houses the crypt of Saint Quiteria and the church of San Pedro. It has been the setting for films such as Ridley Scott's Kingdom of Heaven (2005), and is open to the public at weekends for an entrance fee of 5.50 euros.
Gastronomy in Riglos
To enjoy the gastronomy in Riglos, we recommend trying the Refugio de Riglos, where they serve traditional homemade food such as "las sopas afogadas de Ayerbe" with bread, egg and olive oil or "cardoon a la aragonesa" which are large, edible thistles. Another great option is Restaurante Liena, to eat the local cod dish, "bacalao al ajoarriero" or a rabbit with potatoes, all while you enjoy the stunning views.
Property for sale in Riglos, Spain
If you are looking for a second home to disconnect from the city, Riglos is a charming village with many activities for the whole family. The area includes several properties that would make the perfect place to spend the summer or even live all year round in beautiful natural surroundings.
Article seen at: Escapada al pueblo más bonito de España del que todo el mundo habla (El Mundo)
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