Nueno: Churches, Cultural Heritage and Trails

Nueno lies on the slope of a hill around which the Río Isuela flows, forming a gorge. The town is also a gateway to the Sierra de Guara. This brings historic buildings and trails through a striking landscape together in your travel plans. The different route lengths and the various construction periods of the churches and historic sites are particularly useful when choosing what to do.

Churches and historic buildings

The parish church of San Martín in Nueno was built in the 12th century, during the Romanesque period. The chancel has been preserved; the naves and chapels date from the 18th century. The tower has pronounced Mudejar features. The church is considered one of the few examples of this style in northern Aragon. The building therefore shows distinct periods: Romanesque origins, later additions and a tower with its own distinctive style.

Castillo de Ordás in Nueno is listed as a protected monument in the military category and classified as a castle. The military site dates from the 12th century; a large rubble-masonry wall remains. Its designation and surviving wall provide a clear historical context for the building, without confusing its former function with present-day uses.

The Ermita de la Virgen de Ordás was the church of the settlement of Ordás, which had been abandoned by 1523. The Late Romanesque church has an enclosed portico that extends along the entire south side. The portal is also rich in architectural detail: it has three archivolts, and Maltese crosses are carved into two of the stepped jambs. Here, the history of the abandoned settlement meets distinctive Romanesque architectural forms.

San Úrbez and Sabayés

The Santuario de San Úrbez is in Nocito, within the municipality of Nueno. This protected religious monument consists of a church with an adjoining monastery. The church was originally built in the 12th century in the Romanesque style. The complex also includes a path to the Ermita de Santa María, built above the house where San Úrbez died, as well as the saint’s birthplace. The church, monastery and places associated with the saint offer different ways to explore the area’s religious history.

Sabayés is home to Espacio Salto de Roldán, an exhibition venue with gardens and a starting point for circular routes. Wine cellars dug into the rock are also part of the local character. The mild climate favored the fermentation and preservation of wine produced in Sabayés. Together, the gardens, trails and cellars point to different aspects of the town, from its landscape to its local winemaking tradition.

Gorges and routes

The Gorgas de San Julián is a gorge near Nueno. Water makes its way between the fissures in imposing conglomerate walls. The marked Gorgas de San Julián – Alternative 1 route runs from Nueno to the Ermita de San Julián and continues to the Gorgas. It is 4 kilometers long, technically straightforward and takes about 2 hours and 55 minutes on foot; it can also be cycled.

A shorter option is route S9 – Salto de Roldán – Peña de San Miguel: the walking trail in Nueno is 0.6 kilometers long and takes about 40 minutes. The timings are therefore easy to compare: about 40 minutes for this walking trail, compared with about 2 hours and 55 minutes on foot for the longer route. On the ascent to the Peña de San Miguel, iron rungs arranged like a ladder lead uphill; this climb is not recommended for people with a fear of heights. As access conditions can change due to maintenance or safety measures, check them before starting the climb.

In the Parque Natural de la Sierra y Cañones de Guara, there are adapted facilities from which you can take in the landscapes and rock formations and watch birds. An old, partially burned oak near Pardina de San Úrbez is associated with numerous pilgrimages to the Ermita de San Úrbez; its condition may change.

When to visit and where to stay

Nueno celebrates its festival of San Martín on November 11. If you would like to plan your trip around this date, check the specific festival dates in advance. When planning your days, it is also worth combining the trail timings with the buildings and places that interest you most: the history of the churches and the Castillo offers a different focus from the gorges and routes through the landscape.

Discover more destinations: Arascués, Castejón Del Puente, Huesca, Satué, Yebra De Basa, Jaca, Martillué, Buera.

Go to the main travel overview: Huesca.