The main altar of the Collegiate Church of Santa María la Mayor comprises 20 tempera-painted panels and 57 polychrome wood carvings. This striking detail offers a glimpse into Bolea’s artistic heritage; museums, seasonal cherry blossoms and routes with varied itineraries each add their own appeal. When planning your trip, you can organize the cultural sites and trails around the subjects that interest you most.
The Collegiate Church and its architectural history
The Collegiate Church of Bolea was designated a national historic-artistic monument and a Site of Cultural Interest (BIC) on February 23, 1983. The town’s architectural history can also be read in its buildings: the Parish Church of Santa María la Mayor was built to a design by Pedro de Irazábal between 1541 and 1559. The Church of Nuestra Señora de la Soledad has a large nave, a transept that projects only slightly, and a polygonal apse. The transept is barely pronounced; the shape of the apse offers another specific detail for understanding the architecture.
Museums and collections
Bolea’s Museum Space is located in Casa Jiménez. It preserves the house’s old wine press and centuries-old barrels. This draws attention to a different kind of cultural heritage than that of the churches: the equipment and containers associated with winemaking. Exhibition displays may change. Advance reservations are required to visit the exhibitions at the Museum Space on Calle Mayor; call 622 412 947. Confirm the arrangements before your arrival.
Another institution is the Holy Grail Interpretation Centre, which offers a virtual reality experience. A reservation is required to visit; arrangements may change. Casa Santas, meanwhile, is a privately run ethnographic museum in Bolea. Together, these institutions showcase a range of subjects, from the wine press and ethnographic collections to the Holy Grail. Plan visits that require reservations in advance.
Cherry blossoms and nearby destinations
In Bolea’s cherry-growing area, a white blanket of blossoms covers 60 hectares in late May and early June. The Convento de la Trinidad is a nearby destination, about 4 kilometers north of Bolea. It can be reached by vehicle via a good road from the road to Puibolea. Road conditions may change; check them before setting off.
Hiking routes connected with Bolea
The PR-HU 111 starts in Bolea, initially follows the GR 1, passes the Ermita de Santa Quiteria and then runs parallel to the Río Sotón before climbing to the Ermita de San Cristóbal. Stage 37 of the GR 1 also shares part of its route with the Camino Natural de la Hoya de Huesca. After leaving Bolea, it passes the turnoff for the Ermita de San Cristóbal, which is carved into the rock. Trail conditions for this stage may change.
Another option is Stage 4 of the Camino Natural de la Hoya de Huesca: it runs from Bolea to Arguis through the Sierra de Gratal and is 18.5 kilometers long. Trail conditions and signage may change. The third stage of the Camino de Santiago runs from Huesca to Bolea. Check the stage details before setting out. The PR-HU 111 passes several named landmarks; Stage 4 is 18.5 kilometers long.
Discover more destinations: Ballobar, Laluenga, Siétamo, Fanlo, Sieste, Fago, Sahún, Calvera.
Back to the main travel overview: Huesca.
