Novales brings together architectural history and the Río Guatizalema, whose galachos are part of the town’s natural heritage. The church, castle and bridge represent different periods in the town’s history; in summer, the river also serves as a place for recreation and swimming. Those planning a trip can therefore focus on cultural discoveries or the river landscape.

Church, Castle and Bridge

The Iglesia de Nuestra Señora del Rosario is a late Romanesque building dating from the late 12th century, which was remodelled and expanded in the 16th and 17th centuries. Built of ashlar masonry, it has a rectangular floor plan, a single-nave layout, a set-back chancel and a semicircular apse facing east. The building also includes a portal in the Gospel wall and a crypt beneath the nave. Its origins can therefore be understood as a sequence of several construction phases: the late Romanesque beginnings were followed by changes in two later centuries.

Castillo de Novales also has different construction phases. The tower at the western corner of the wall and the adjoining section of wall to the north were built after 1451, possibly as early as the 16th century. The eastern and southern walls date from the 16th and 17th centuries. Puente de Novales lies near the town on the road that connected Novales with Pertusa and crosses the Río Guatizalema. Its four semicircular ashlar arches vary in size. The church, castle and bridge thus offer three different perspectives on architecture and history.

River Landscape and Historic Buildings

The galachos formed by the Río Guatizalema are special oases for the area’s animal and plant species. Together with the river’s recreational and swimming uses in summer, they shape Novales’ connection with nature in two ways: as a habitat and as a place for leisure. This gives a summer trip a different focus from a visit centred on the historic buildings.

Another trace of the area’s building and land-use history can be found at the Azud del Molino: the canal on the left bank carries water for about 1,700 metres to the Molino de Ferrer. The mill is built of ashlar masonry; the millpond and part of the associated bread oven have been preserved. Fuente vieja also combines architectural features with former everyday functions. It served as a watering place for livestock and a washing place. Its ashlar structure, with three outlets, was reconstructed in 1907. These examples illustrate different forms of local heritage: religious architecture, bridge building and structures associated with water and former uses.

Outside the town, in the Nido de los Cuervos area, there are archaeological sites dating from the Iron Age. Ermita de San Joaquín is a 19th-century chapel near Novales. It can be reached via the A-131 towards Huesca-Sariñena. The town’s cultural attractions therefore include both archaeological sites and buildings from different periods.

Festivals and When to Visit

Novales’ main festivals begin on the first Sunday in October, last four days and are held in honour of the Virgen del Rosario. Another local tradition is a pilgrimage on 26 July to the Ermita de San Joaquín. These offer two different occasions to plan a trip around: the multi-day festivals in October and the pilgrimage on a fixed date in July. If you would like to time your trip to coincide with one of these events, you can plan your dates accordingly.

Routes and Finding Accommodation

For a drive through the region, the signposted “Por el llano de la comarca” road route includes Novales between Corvinos and Piracés. Another perspective is offered by the R 4 “Huesca-Somontano-Sierra de Guara” birdwatching route, which passes through Novales and runs year-round. Check route conditions before setting off. The two routes have different focuses: the road route places Novales within a regional sequence of towns, while R 4 is designated as a birdwatching route.

When looking for a hotel in Novales, it is worth first deciding what brings you on your trip: the area’s architectural history, a visit timed around the festivals or summer activities on the Guatizalema can each shape your stay differently. Check the location and availability of specific accommodation for your travel dates. If a route is part of your plans, take its conditions into account as well. This helps you tailor your accommodation search to your travel dates and personal interests.

Discover more destinations: Guasillo, Bentué de Rasal, Paúles de Sarsa, Berdún, Hoz De Jaca, Sin, Belsué, Tamarite De Litera.

For the regional travel overview: Huesca.