Villa Nova

Situated in the northeast of the province of Huesca, in the old county of Ribagorza, it is mainly formed by the valleys surrounding the river Esera, with the highest peak in the Pyrenees rising from its La Maladeta massif, El Aneta, at 3,404 m. Its orography, the wildest of the Aragonese Pyrenees in the high areas, becomes gentler at lower heights to form unique landscapes. The valley of El Esera is accessed from around the El Esera reservoir to reach Graus, a town offering tourists an urban centre filled with historic remains. From Graus, the birthplace of Joaquín Costa, we enter the valley through the canyon known as Congosta del Ventamillo and, through Seira, Castejon de Sos, Villanova, Sahun, Eriste and Anciles to reach the town of Benasque with its interesting large houses, such as the palace of the Condes de Ribagorza, Casa Marcial del Rio, Casa Juste, Casa Faure and the church of Santa Maria la Mayor.The entire area is marked out by Romanesque constructions and the typical huts. The modern centre of Benasque has an excellent tourist infrastructure. Cerler can be seen from Benasque. In the valley, it is possible to enjoy all kinds of winter sports: Alpine skiing at the station in Cerler (the highest in the Pyrenees) and cross country skiing in Los Llanos del Hospital. In summer, mountain biking is possible, along with horse riding, trekking and hang-gliding. Climbing the highest peaks in the Pyrenees, with more than eleven over three thousand metres, both in the massif of El Aneto and in the Natural Park of Posets-Maladeta. The thermal waters of the spa at Las Vilas del Turbon must also be noted.