Montearagon. Sancho Ramirez. Mallos de Riglos.

King Sancho Ramirez, 1045-1094, built a castle on this high site, making a fortress from which to attack Wasqah, the city nearby we know as Huesca, then occupied by the Moors. He was killed by a stray arrow, however, and the venture abandoned.  He was king of Aragon and Pamplona-Navarre.

Montearagon Castle, near Huesca, Spain

The castle then was given to an Augustinian order of monks, who remained there for centuries until, in the19th century -- it was confiscated and became a powder magazine that then exploded. Some restorations are going on now, we understand.

 Clifftop, hilltop monasteries and villages tell of the need for defense or a place to fight against invading Moors and others. All were ultimately unsuccessful against the Moors on this side of the Pyrenees. There was no place to run.

This monastery is unidentified.  No notes on it, but its place on the card puts it soon after Huesca.

Hilltop monastery, near Huesca, Spain

The land is formidable.   The area, known as Mallos de Riglos, draws climbers as well as drivers.  See http://www.ukclimbing.com/articles/page.php?id=4614

Mallos de Riglos rock formations, near Huesca, Spain

Rock formations, near Huesca, Spain

Reservoir of Barasona, from Huesca toward Graus, Spain. Pantona de Barasona.