It was a nice day, too nice to return to the hotel, and so we decided to go on, further into the countryside, and visit Luesia.
Uncastillo to Luesia
As we drove out of Uncastillo we saw more evidence of the fires which started in July this year. Over 38,000 acres were destroyed, and five towns in the area were evacuated, including Uncastillo and Luesia. This is the Protected Area of the Santo Domingo Mountains,1 an area with a unique ecology and huge forests of beech, boxwood, pine trees and holm oaks – the destruction is immense, and I wonder if the trees will return. I could still smell the fire, and it remains very dry. There are also many deer, foxes, and wild boar and many must have died.
At the town entrance
We parked the car on the roadside and headed for the town,2 where there was a glorious array of colour!
Luesia
The castle of Luesia is one of the oldest in Aragon, and started as a Muslim stronghold and border post. But by 911 it was held by Sancho I, King of Navarre. The castle was rebuilt in the 12th century.
Apparently the heyday of Luesia was the 16th and 17th centuries, and there are signs of wealth on shields on the houses, carved mantel and wooden eaves. It is an agricultural area but people also made money from timber.
A quiet street with the Casa Don Perico and its front door, and carved windows
The Casa Boticario was traditionally used by a blacksmith, or for shoeing horses. The owner, the pharmacist (boticario) allowed the town council to do this, and in return he was allowed to expand his house above the space.
Juderia
A jewish community settled in the town in the 13th century, about thirty families. But they left the town in 1492. In that year King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella signed the Decree of Granada which forced the Jews to convert to Catholicism, or leave the country. The decree was only formally revoked in 1968. We didn’t have a map of the town, and so were not sure of where to explore further.
The Walk
We happened on the 20th Autumn Walk in Luesia. The atmosphere was very jolly and the ambulance didn’t have any customers, even though we had passed one or two limping walkers.
Driving back to Sos
It had been a super day, exploring in Uncastillo and Luesia, and then driving through beautiful, untamed countryside which seemed to stretch forever. London is going to feel very ‘small’ after this!
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