Graus, Basilica de la Virgen de la Pena. Rock of Morral.

Cliffside Religious Houses: Defense
Graus -- Basilica de la Virgen de la Pena
a/k/a Basilica of Nuestra Senora de la Pena

The first structure here dates to the 13th Century.  Sites disagree on who was responsible and when.  Some say the first structure dates to the time when Sancho Ramirez, King of Aragon and Navarre (who succeeded Sancho IV),  conquered the town.  Where is that site, because it is inconsistent information with vetting. 

That 13th Century marker sounds odd, since Sancho Ramirez lived 1042-1094? Checking.  The story -- A light was seen to shine on the rock above (the pena), and that would probably be the Morral Crag, under which and beside and in the Basilica is constructed.  People followed that and saw an image of the virgin.  And how could it have been Sancho Ramirez who built a chapel?

Graus was one of the most northerly points of Moorish domination.

The current structure reflects the 1538 Renaissance elements, atrium, cloister other buildings. See an 1803 date (!) for Sancho Ramirez at http://www.turismoribagorza.org/en/que-ver-y-que-hacer/ribagorza-is-culture/religious/basilica-virgen-de-la-pena. 

Regardless of its history, it does dominate the town.

 Basilica de la Virgen de la Pena, Graus, Spain

This was taken from our hotel window.  And downstairs, find the trompe l'oeil decor, with the Basilica depicted.

Fresco and fountain, showing the Basilica de la Virgen de la Pena, our hotel

The crag, the cliff with the cross on top, is the Rock of Morral, the Morral Crag.

Basilica de la Virgen de la Pena, Graus, Spain.  Rock of Morral, Morral Crag.

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.