Murillo de Liena lies where the Barranco de Bacamorta gorge meets the Ésera. Buildings from different centuries, a bridge over the gorge and mountain biking routes with different course layouts give the village several specific points of interest. When deciding whether to visit, you can weigh up whether you mainly want to explore architectural history or include outdoor activities in your trip.
Location and orientation
Murillo de Liena is next to the junction of National Road 260 and the road leading down to Graus. Together with its location where the Barranco de Bacamorta meets the Ésera, this gives you two distinct points of reference: the road junction and the riverside landscape. The gorge is an integral part of the village’s setting; the Puente de Hierro crosses the Barranco de Bacamorta.
The Ermita de San Martín also has a clearly defined setting. It lies on the north side of Murillo de Liena in the Sierra de La Clusa. This helps distinguish the church and the hermitage of the same name: the Iglesia de San Martín is a Renaissance church in the village, while the Ermita de San Martín is located to its north in the sierra.
Architectural history and local tradition
Murillo de Liena’s origins date back to the end of the 16th century. The Iglesia de San Martín also dates from the late 16th century and is classified as a Renaissance church. The two dates refer to different things: the origins of the village and the dating of the church building. The Ermita de la Piedad, by contrast, dates from the 18th century.
The individual names and dates are also worth noting when it comes to the bridges. The Puente Barranco de la Piedad is a vernacular bridge dating from the 18th to 19th century. The Puente de Hierro crosses the Barranco de Bacamorta. According to local legend, it served as scaffolding during the construction of the Columbus Monument in Barcelona. This story belongs to local tradition and should be understood as a legend.
Other cultural details add to this picture without repeating the same architectural history. A coat of arms carved in Murillo de Liena from reused limestone features the IHS motif; it may bear the date 1561. A tabernacle veil from Murillo de Liena dates from the 17th century.
Mountain biking routes and sports
When planning your routes, it is important not to confuse two different mountain biking options. The Circular a la Sierra de Morillo loop starts in Murillo de Liena; conditions may vary. Mountain biking Route 11, by contrast, passes through Murillo de Liena. Its loop starts and ends in La Puebla de Roda and passes through Roda de Isábena, Nocellas and other stops before returning to the starting point.
There is one specific route-finding requirement for mountain biking Route 11: it is not signposted, so you will need a map or GPS device. The start in the village for the Circular a la Sierra de Morillo and the passage through the village on Route 11 are therefore different planning details. There is also a sports area on the banks of the Ésera with facilities for frontón, tennis and futsal. These options add other sports activities by the river to the routes.
When to visit
Murillo de Liena’s main festival takes place at the end of July in honour of Saint James, around 25 July on the last weekend of the month. If you want to plan your trip around the festival, check the event date for your travel year. Alongside the buildings and mountain biking routes, this gives you a specific seasonal occasion to consider when choosing when to travel.
Discover more destinations: Alquézar, Banastón, Jabierre De Olsón, Tolva, Laspaúles, Novales, Jaca, Igriés.
See the wider travel guide: Huesca.
