Anciles, Mountain village in Benasque Valley, Spain.
Anciles is a mountain village in the Benasque Valley at 1,110 meters elevation in the Pyrenees. The settlement features densely packed stone houses connected by narrow lanes that form a compact maze.
The village developed as a settlement for cattle ranchers who built substantial stone houses in the 16th and 17th centuries to display their wealth. This architecture continues to define the settlement's character.
The Church of San Pedro anchors village life and displays architectural layers from different periods. Residents still use the narrow lanes as natural pathways connecting their stone homes.
You can reach the village on foot in about two kilometers from Benasque, following a route along the Ésera River. The walk is straightforward and offers views of the valley below.
Many house roofs are arranged in stepped patterns, a practical feature of mountain architecture that helps snow slide off. You notice this roof style especially on the older stone buildings scattered through the village.
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