We had done a lot of exploring and I felt I needed a walk in the countryside. So we took the path down the hillside from the Parador of Sos with the aim of also viewing the Monastery of Valentunana.
Read more: A Walk in the CountrysideDown the hillside!
It was a nice day, although sharp, and the views towards the Pyrenees were clear. I looked carefully and could see lots of flowers and berries as well.
At the bottom of the hill we found the GR1, a long distance path from the Costa Brava (Girona) to Finisterre (La Coruna), 600kms. Yes, well….
Monastery of Valentunana
A small hermitage stood here 1,000 years ago, celebrating the Virgin Mary. Then in In 1672, Doña Antonia Felipa Guerrero y Álava founded a convent here. I had wanted to see it on a previous visit, but we were doing other things. So this was a special day.
The Monastery housed the Barefoot Carmelites who moved in in 1718. They fled during the Peninsular War when the buildings were despoiled by the French but returned afterwards. However, during the seizure of church property under Mendizabal in 1836 the nuns were forced out and never returned. It was only in 1906 that the buildings were again occupied by an order, the Augustinian Fathers Recoletos of the Province of Candelaria,
Continuing on the GR1
We continued a little further into the hills, over a stream and past some cultivated fields.
Back to Sos
And then back up the hill to Sos completing an enjoyable walk in the countryside.
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