Cofita: Templar Church, Wine and Landscape

When looking for a hotel in Cofita, you can shape your stay around several distinctive themes: Templar history and church art, varied landscapes, and wine and local festivities. Whether you are particularly interested in medieval architectural history, the history of irrigation or regional wine experiences, this will give your trip a unique focus. The following highlights will help you discover Cofita in a way that suits your interests.

Templar History and Church Art

The Romanesque Iglesia de Santa María Magdalena in Cofita was built and founded by the Knights Templar during their time at the commandery and castle of Monzón. The church’s pointed vault is characteristic of the transition between Romanesque and Gothic architecture. The church also contains remains of medieval wall paintings from the 12th and 13th centuries.

Engravings of Templar knights on foot and on horseback can be seen. Several aspects thus come together in one building: its founding by the Order, a transitional architectural style, and figurative elements inside and on the exterior. Those interested in historic architectural forms will find a range of details here that can be explored individually.

Dry Landscapes and Irrigated Gardens

Las Gesas is a wild, dry area of Cofita. Its vegetation includes kermes oak, rosemary and thyme. The irrigated gardens along the banks of the Cinca offer a different landscape. The water for these gardens comes from the Canal de Aragón y Cataluña. Dry terrain and irrigated gardens thus form two clearly distinct aspects of Cofita’s landscape.

The Acequia de Paules is also part of the history of irrigation: it irrigates Cofita’s gardens and was built by the Templars in 1250. The Templar connection is therefore evident not only in the church but also in the history of irrigation. The focus is on different activities: the construction and founding of a church in one case, and the creation of an irrigation canal in the other.

Wine and Vineyard Experiences

Bodega Sers in Cofita produces wine under the Denominación de Origen Somontano designation. Bodegas Sers offers an aroma game and a tasting of all six of the winery’s wines. Another experience, “Naturaleza en el viñedo de Bodegas Sers,” includes an excursion through the vineyards with the owners. The idea is to discover the grape varieties and how they coexist with nature.

The two wine experiences have different focuses: the tasting centers on aromas and the six wines, while the excursion turns the focus to vineyards and grape varieties. This can help you decide whether you would rather get to know the wines or learn more about the vines and how they coexist with nature. Before making plans, check whether the experience you are interested in is available for your dates.

Festivities and Local Cuisine

Cofita’s main festivities in honor of Saint José de Calasanz take place on August 25. The specific program may vary; if you would like to plan your trip around these festivities, check the program for your stay. The Fiestas de San Blas include bonfires and a communal dinner and are associated with the celebrations for Santa Águeda.

Gastronomic events during the Fiestas mayores include a Costillada on the eve of the festivities. There is also a dinner in honor of Cofita’s melon. Together with the San Blas festivities, these occasions show that shared meals are part of local celebrations; the melon is specifically celebrated with its own dinner.

For the broader travel overview: Fonz.