By Dee McMath
The small town of Huescar is known as "Cuidad
de la Paz" (City of Peace). It sits at an altitude
of 953 metres and has a population of less than 8,500. Its ancient
traditions and folklore are kept alive and the rural lifestyle is
that of the authentic Andalusian village. The natural surroundings
are picturesque, with the stunning backdrop of mountain peaks and
greenery.
Just outside the town there is an outdoor fresh
water pool where all the family can enjoy a swim and every Thursday
there is a village market. Outdoor activities abound, whether it's
walking in the Vidriera pine forest or taking to
the Sagra Mountain tracks, the natural beauty is
in abundance. For those who prefer a gentler walk, there is also
the Rodriguez Penalva Municipal Park in the Avenida de Granada.
Convento de las Dominicas
The Convent of the Dominican Nuns of the Mother
of God
The Convent of the Dominican Nuns, or 'Convento
de las Dominicas' as it is known in the area, dates back to around
1570 when there was talk of the need to build a convent for the
sisters. It was not until around 1612, however that building works
began.
Thanks to the generosity of the widow of the nobleman,
Micer Ruiz (during the reign of Emperor Carlos V), the building
works took place. The large convent is still in existence and still
remains home to the order of Dominican Sisters today. The building
was constructed on land previously taken up by Moorish homes. The
convent acted as a hospital for pilgrims and the very poor in times
gone by and again from 1936 - 1939, during the difficult times of
the Spanish Civil War.
Iglesia de Santiago
Church of Santiago
The church, which is in Calle Alhondiga has three
aisles and ceiling vaults which are almost cut in half at the left
hand side wall and the central aisle has low half sided arches.
In 1910 a fire destroyed part of ceiling and vaults,
leaving part of the original building intact. A rather strange and
interesting feature of the church is the existence of two Muslim
columns in polyhedral form. The tower is on the left hand side and
the west entrance door is in renaissance style. To see inside the
church building, go along on Sunday morning between 10:00 and 11:30.
Iglesia de la Soledad
Church of Soledad
This church represents an important part of the
evolution of the urban life in Huescar and is in Calle Morote, (the
old Baza / Castillejar road), which forms part of the present route
from Granada to Valencia. In the 16th century the building was known
as the hermitage of San Sebastian and was used
as a centre for helping plague victims in the middle Ages. Despite
the destruction of ecclesiastic records in 1936, historians can
confirm that the Franciscan order set up here in Huescar at the
beginning of the 17th century.
Then the sisterhood of Nuestra Señora de
la Soledad took over the hermitage and renamed it, converting it
into the small church that it is today. This simple building devoid
of elaborate decoration is an important landmark in Huescar, the
City of Peace. The leafy surroundings of the
little church and annex building make the setting picturesque and
tranquil
Ermita del Angel
Hermitage of the Angel
The Hermitage is found on the road out towards the
village of Castril. The best time to visit is Tuesday of Easter
Holy Week (Semana Santa), when part of the procession of Los Descalzos
(barefoot pilgrims) sets out from here.
Colegiata de Santa Maria
Santa Maria Teaching Church
This teaching church of cathedral dimensions and
in Gothic/Renaissance style from the beginning of the 16th century,
is emblematic of Huescar and its historic past. The building is
an interesting mix of elements brought in from Toledo as well as
Andalusia.
Different architects from the Renaissance period
have left their mark on this magnificent building, constructed to
the highest specifications. Enrique Egas from Toledo and Jacobo
Florentin are attributed as having overseen the creation of the
magnificent door to the old Sacristy, amongst other things. Inside
there are many contrasting elements of interest, including the gothic
vault and the baroque chancel. Some parts of the church had to be
rebuilt after destruction during the Civil War.
Convento de Santo Domingo
Santa Domingo Convent
Built in 1547, this wonderful building in Calle
Mayor, has three aisles with high central ceiling, which is beautifully
decorated.
Due to the passion for theatre in Spain in the 19th
century, the Huescar Theatre Society took the building over in 1858.
The pulpit area of the church became the stage, while the rest became
the stalls, balconies and boxes. Years later, when the advent of
cinema gradually took away the previously enthusiastic theatre audiences,
the Huescar Theatre finally closed down.
A recent survey of the building has been carried
out to restore this important historic monument and put it to good
use, by adapting it for socio-cultural activities for locals and
visitors.
Casa de los Penalva Serrano
The Penalva Serrano House
If you come across this building by surprise in
Huescar, you would be forgiven for thinking that you had lost your
way and ended up in Barcelona. This Gaudi style house is situated
in El Paseo del Santo Cristo, where it stands out in all its beauty.
The Catalan modernist design is both unusual and yet blends in perfectly
amongst the Huescar architecture.
Torre del Homenaje
The Tower of Homage
In La Plaza Alhondiga there are three interesting
tombstone plaques from the Arabic era. These plaques are set into
the wall and although slightly broken up through the passage of
time, the text in memorandum is still clear. These memorial stones
come from the old Roman necropolis.
Canal de Carlos III & Puente de Animas
The Carlos III Canal and the Bridge of Purgatory
This rather ambitious aqueduct project dates back
to the 18th century, the idea being to take the mountain water over
to the fertile land in Murcia. The concept was to be a predecessor
to the present Tajo-Segura canal. The idea came about in 1537, in
line with the custom at that time in the Iberian Peninsular to build
canals.
Although some work on the project took place 1633,
it was soon abandoned. During the following years between the 18th
and 19th centuries numerous attempts were made at the construction
of the final project, the name passing from one king to another,
depending on the reign on the moment. It remains known as "Canal
Carlos III", a monument to the massive engineering feat it
could have been.
For further information, contact the Town Hall
(Ayuntamiento) of Huescar:
Ayuntamiento de Huéscar
Plaza Mayor, 1
Tel: 958 740 036
Fax: 958 740 061
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