Calvera – Obarra Monastery, Churches and the Route along the Isábena

Calvera lies 1,207 metres above sea level at the exit of the Croqueta, which is also known as the Congosto de Obarra. The village combines a clearly defined mountain setting with an exceptionally dense ensemble of a monastery, churches, chapels and historical traces. Those interested in culture can distinguish the individual buildings by their function, architectural form and historical period, while the forest, livestock farming and route connections provide a second aspect of the village.

Culture

The Santa María de Obarra Monastery in Calvera is protected as a Site of Cultural Interest (BIC). The Obarra complex includes the ruins of a late Gothic abbot’s palace and a preserved chapel dedicated to Saint Paul. The Santa María church in the monastery complex probably dates from between the late 10th century and the first quarter of the 11th century. Different historical and architectural traces therefore stand side by side in the same location.

The Church of San Andrés is a Lombard church with an 11th-century Romanesque apse. Santa María de la Cuadra is a Lombard church with a semicircular apse. The parish church of Calvera was donated to Obarra Monastery by Bernardo de Espés in 1195. The churches can therefore be distinguished not only by their location, but also by the shape of their apses, their architectural style and their documented connection to the monastery.

The Hermitage of San Valero south of Calvera dates from the 11th century. The cultural range thus extends from the protected monastery monument and Lombard churches to a hermitage located to the south. Those who place the history of the village at the centre of their visit will therefore find several distinct points of interest rather than just a single sightseeing destination.

Nature and Routes

Calvera lies in a Portuguese oak forest crossed by the road leading up from Herrerías. A marked hiking trail connects Calvera with the monastery on the banks of the Isábena. Livestock farming shapes everyday life in Calvera, as shown by the haylofts and old bordas.

Here, a specific route connection, the woodland landscape and visible traces of livestock farming come together. This allows different priorities to be set when planning a day: the marked trail stands alongside the Portuguese oak forest crossed by the road, while the haylofts and old bordas preserve the connection with local agriculture.

Other Aspects of the Village

Casa Puixico, located in Calvera, is a country house for a maximum of four people and offers personalised English immersion experiences for families, adults and professionals. This aspect of the village complements the historic buildings with a specifically named house and its own educational programme.

Calvera can be reached via a right-hand turn from the road to Bonansa. Together with the monastery complex, churches, forest and marked trail, this creates a village profile in which culture, landscape and rural character remain clearly distinguishable themes. For a holiday apartment in Calvera, travel dates, room category and cancellation conditions can be checked in connection with these specific aspects of the village.

Other Places

Other places: Canfranc, El Pueyo De Araguás, Fraga, Novales, Abiego, Palo, Peralta De La Sal and Boltaña

For the higher-level travel overview: Huesca.