Santa María of Iguacel

Chapel's facade

The chapel of Santa María of Iguacel is a valuable treasure of the rural Romanesque. It was erected in 1072 by order of Sancho Galíndez and donated a few years later to San Juan de la Peña (St John of the Mountain), which kept it until 1203.

It excellent state of preservation is due to the restoration works undertaken in 1976, when complete ruin was looming. Today it represents an immensely valuable artistic set which has been declared Monument of Cultural Interest, and which offers the traveler a haven of peace and a excuse for contemplation.

Santa María de Iguacel is found at the Valley of la Garcipollera, a spot that preserved all its natural charm in spite of the lack of population of its villages and the desertion of the old agricultural lands.

The trip to the Chapel is brief and comfortable. Starting from Castiello de Jaca, we follow a road that will take us to Bescós de la Garcipollera. There an ample and wide trail starts and is kept in perfect condition. Its gentle yet constant slope is not felt in the middle of this landscape, which consists mainly of great reforested pine woods, rose bushes, sloe and blackberry bushes.

Santa María de Iguacel consists of a rectangular nave covered with wood, three doorways with round arches in degradation and a semicircular apse.

During the summer, the Sancho Ramírez association of Jaca keeps the chapel open, although any time of the year is suitable to seat under the white willow at the plain and enjoy a good lunch.

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