The guide book said that the medieval village of Ainsa is one of Aragon’s gems, so we went there.
- Ainsa from the castle wall – pity about the crane
it sits high on a hill
the castle
The castle and fortifications mostly date from the 1600s. The main tower is from the 11th century.
The huge cobblestoned main square, Plaza Mayor, is surrounded by low stone arcades housing restaurants and a few shops.
the arched walkways beside the square
the restaurant in Plaza Mayor where we had dinner
Iglesia de Santa Maria
Please note the stone bench from where the previous post was done.
the bells in the tower of the church
The interior of the restored Romanesque church lights up when you put 1 euro in the box, and as a bonus you get 5 minutes of Gregorian chanting.
inside the church - you will have to imagine the music
part of the Gothic cloister
the crypt
one of the pretty houses
part of the village
the view through the arch
decoration on a pot
close up
his mates
comunal wine press in the arcade
The guide book that recommended the village also suggested staying at Hotel Los Siete Reyes, so we did. The room was lovely, the service friendly and the breakfast excellent.
the hotel room
the bathroom
decoration in the hotel
The sunset was also recommended, but it was overcast and gloomy, so it didn’t deliver. The next morning the weather had improved and we had an excellent view of the rock bastion of La Pena Montanesa.
the view from the village
a bit later
a pretty good view
If you are passing by consider dropping in to Aragon’s gem.
Consider it, Oh I am doing it! 🙂 I love the hotel room, very classy in a hip modern way. And the wine press is cool too. I love the heritage and history behind Europe… 🙂
By: Anna Johnston on April 6, 2011
at 6:46 am
I’m sure you would love this little place.
By: bagnidilucca on April 6, 2011
at 5:18 pm
Oh wow you’re away! Travelling and taking wonderful pictures – what a glorious trip you’re having.
By: Joanna @ Zeb Bakes on April 6, 2011
at 9:31 am
It’s not bad.
By: bagnidilucca on April 6, 2011
at 5:19 pm
Beautiful photos and what a lovely town. I would be certain to put my money in the slot in the church – I particularly love Gregorian chanting. The contrast the stone work provides in the hotel room is very seductive and I love the colours in the long wall hanging – I’ve been gazing at the pictures with my ‘gimme gimme’ look. However, most of my little life is viewed through the prism of Monty Python and the Holy Grail – I’m sure John Cleese’s taunting frenchman was modelled on the the little knight on the pot. I just know what that little knight is saying.
By: Jan on April 6, 2011
at 9:57 am
Very charming little place.
Living vicariously through you for the moment… just negotiating my next potential work contract…sigh.
By: mltucker on April 6, 2011
at 11:18 am
[…] Ainsa – a Spanish hilltop village « Bagni di Lucca and Beyond part of the village the view through the arch. decoration on a pot. close up. his mates. comunal wine press in the arcade. The guide book that recommended the village also suggested staying at Hotel Los Siete Reyes, so we did. […]
By: Recommended The Village The on April 6, 2011
at 11:57 am
Looks very lovely villange, and the hotel looks really nice too!
By: Minna on April 6, 2011
at 1:53 pm
If the Duke of Aragon had won Portia’s hand, would she fall in love with Ainsa? I would imagine so; but then, she may miss the beautiful homes languishing along the canals of Venice. Your photos capture well the medieval history of this village and the lovely misty panorama of the plains and the the mountains. Your hotel room is beautiful, exquisitely decorated. What a delightful stay for you!
By: Sandra H on April 6, 2011
at 2:25 pm
The room was particularly nice, with a view over the square.
By: bagnidilucca on April 6, 2011
at 5:19 pm
Thank you for the beautiful photos. What a lovely spot.
By: paninigirl on April 6, 2011
at 2:25 pm
It was very pretty.
By: bagnidilucca on April 6, 2011
at 5:20 pm
Deb, when I look at your photos, I often think I’m getting more out of them than I would from actually being there – you seem to notice so much detail and then share it with the rest of us, thank you!
By: Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial on April 6, 2011
at 8:16 pm
I think you are being very kind.
By: bagnidilucca on April 6, 2011
at 8:54 pm
[…] first stop in Spain was a cute little mountain village. Click here to see […]
By: Driving all over Spain « Bagni di Lucca and Beyond on September 12, 2011
at 12:35 pm
[…] here to see more of this incredible building and look in the Spain category to see Madrid, Ainsa, Toledo, Seville, the windmills in La Mancha, Cadiz, Granada and the Alhambra and […]
By: Looking back over 2011 « Bagni di Lucca and Beyond on December 30, 2011
at 5:22 am
Hey Debra, We have been checking out your blog and we must say that we are very impressed. It’s really great.
We have particularly been following your posts about Ainsa as we visited there too. We have even written a guide, which you can check out here: http://hitchhikershandbook.com/country-guides/spain-2/ainsa/ . We would love your feedback on it and any tips, information, advice that you might have would be warmly appreciated.
Keep up the good work!
Ania & Jon
By: HitchHikers Handbook on July 25, 2014
at 1:51 pm