Barbastro: Heritage and Somontano

Get to know Barbastro through its architecture, museums and culinary traditions. The city combines impressive sacred architecture with insights into Somontano wine culture, offering a range of themes to help you plan your trip.

Churches and historic buildings

Barbastro Cathedral was built between 1517 and 1533. Inside, 485 gilded and polychrome roses form a starry sky. The original Iglesia de San Francisco dates from the 16th century. A pointed arch remains in the central nave, and one of the side chapels contains a crypt with seated burials.

Barbastro’s historic-artistic complex was declared a historic-artistic monument complex in 1975. Holy Week also shapes the city’s cultural life: each year, seven brotherhoods process through the streets with floats, bearers and members. Bands accompany the processions with drums, bass drums and cornets.

Museums and cultural sites

The Museo Diocesano Barbastro-Monzón is housed in a historic building; its collection comprises more than 270 objects. The Iglesia de San Julián was built in the 16th century as a chapel for the former hospital of Barbastro and today houses the Centro de Interpretación del Somontano.

The Museo de los Mártires Claretianos is dedicated to the 51 Claretian missionaries from Barbastro who were beatified and shot at the beginning of the Spanish Civil War. Their remains and some personal belongings are housed in the chapel’s crypt.

The Pozo de Hielo de La Barbacana was built in 1612. It has been restored since 2006 and fitted out as a visitor centre. Reconstructions and audiovisual displays explain the production and preservation of ice, the storage and distribution of snow, and the site’s former use.

Crespillos and market traditions

The Crespillo Festival has been celebrated in Barbastro since 1994 and is recognised in Aragón as an event of tourist interest. Crespillos are made by coating borage leaves in a mixture of flour, egg and other ingredients, such as gaseosa or orange juice, and then frying them. Anise and sugar add flavour to the pastries. The other ingredients used may vary depending on the cook.

The city’s traditional fruit and vegetable market takes place every Saturday morning in Plaza del Mercado. Check locally before your trip to see whether the market is held on the day of your visit.

Somontano and routes from Barbastro

The Somontano Wine Route starts in Barbastro. The Espacio del Vino introduces the Somontano designation of origin with an audiovisual presentation and a game for identifying wine aromas. This offers two distinct ways to explore wine: as the starting point of a route and through a presentation and aroma experience.

From Barbastro, you can follow the GR 45 on foot or by bicycle towards Burceat and Cregenzán; check the route conditions before setting out. Another option is the San Josemaría Escrivá de Balaguer route in Barbastro, available as either a self-guided or guided tour. Check the practical arrangements for the route in advance.

Discover more destinations

Castigaleu, Serveto, Aratorés, Laspaúles, Bielsa, Canfranc, Plasencia del Monte, Jaca

For the main travel overview: Huesca.