Roda de Isábena

The smallest village in Spain ever to have had its own cathedral, Roda de Isábena is a haunting medieval hamlet of barely 30 inhabitants perched on a ridge in the Ribagorza valley. Its Romanesque cathedral is a masterpiece of silence and stone.

With only 30 permanent residents, Roda is virtually unknown outside academic and Romanesque art circles, yet it harbors one of the most important Romanesque buildings in the Pyrenees.

History

Roda de Isábena became a bishopric in 956, making it one of the earliest Christian seats of power during the Reconquista. The cathedral, begun in the 11th century, contains a remarkable Romanesque crypt and cloister. The see was eventually merged with Lleida in the 12th century, but the cathedral remained as a testament to the town's former importance. In 1979, the cathedral was robbed of its most valuable treasures, many of which were recovered in an international art theft investigation.

Highlights

• 11th-century Romanesque cathedral
• Smallest cathedral town in Spain
• Crypt with original Romanesque frescoes
• Medieval cloister with mountain views

How to get there

From Huesca, drive north on the A-22 to Graus, then east toward Roda de Isábena on local roads (approximately 2 hours). No public transport — a car is essential.

Explore nearby: Aragón guide · Huesca province · Castles of Huesca