Alquézar, Medieval village in Huesca Province, Spain
Alquézar sits on a limestone ridge at roughly 660 meters above sea level, overlooking the Rio Vero canyon within the Sierra y Cañones de Guara Natural Park. The settlement spreads across this rocky promontory with traditional stone buildings arranged along steep, winding pathways.
The name Alquézar comes from the Arabic word 'al qaçr' meaning fort, reflecting its origins as a defensive stronghold. The settlement grew around a castle built to protect the nearby city of Barbastro from raids and invasions.
The Collegiate Church of Santa Maria dominates the village with its Romanesque stone structure and draws people to its religious heart. Daily life revolves around this central landmark, where faith and local traditions shape the community's identity.
The place provides access to around 60 limestone caves with prehistoric paintings that can be explored with guides, along with hiking trails of varying difficulty. Accommodation ranges from campsites to traditional hotels, allowing visitors to plan stays suited to their preferences and budget.
The sheer cliff faces of the Rio Vero canyon serve as nesting sites for vultures, making this a rewarding spot for bird watching. These large raptors use the canyon's thermal currents to soar, and visitors can often spot them from the village's elevated vantage points.
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