Located in the heart of the Tena valley, right where the waters of the Gállego river are dammed, Lanuza is a delightful village in the Pyrenees of Huesca, reborn after being flooded by the waters of a reservoir, thanks to its former residents who decided to preserve its culture and turn it into a tourist destination. Every year since 1992, the Pirineos Sur International Festival of Cultures has been held here, where renowned artists from all over the world perform on a stage that is usually set up on the waters of the reservoir.
Lanuza is a pretty village of stone and slate that has withstood the test of time and also the construction of a reservoir that left the village uninhabited. Among its attractions are the Suscalar Jetty, where you can practise outdoor sports; the natural waterfall of O Saldo de Escarrilla, the tourist train of the Tena Valley or the Panticosa Ski Resort, surrounded by some of the highest peaks in the Pyrenees.
Other unique attractions in the vicinity of Lanuza village are the churches of Serrablo, the International Station of Canfranc, the National Park of Ordesa and Monte Perdido, the village of Biescas, located at the gates of the spectacular Tena Valley, or the charming village of Sallent de Gállego.
- From an uninhabited village to the present day
- What to see in Lanuza
- Hiking routes in Lanuza
- Where to eat near Lanuza
From an uninhabited village to the present day
There are records of Lanuza dating back to the 13th century and it looked as though it was going to be destroyed under the waters of the reservoir that was built in the town in 1976 and which caused it to become completely depopulated. However, despite the fact that the houses in Lanuza were abandoned and looted, in the 90s the former inhabitants decided to recover the non-submerged properties and began a restoration process that is still ongoing today.
What to see in Lanuza
Lanuza, which was the birthplace of nine justices of Aragón, including Juan V de Lanuza, is located on one of the banks of the reservoir. With its mountain style, it is a village that encourages the visitors to enjoy its streets and its stone houses. The Church of El Salvador, built in the 19th century on the site of a Romanesque church that was burnt down during the War of Independence, has withstood the waters of the reservoir and contains important works of art, such as a reliquary from 1557 containing the remains of Santa Quiteria, the patron saint of Lanuza.
Lanuza’s old town
Walking through the old town of Lanuza is a real delight, due to the peace and quiet that abounds here. It is a fairly small village made of stone and slate, where the houses are in the process of being restored, as the town aims to be an important tourist destination in the Tena Valley. The oldest festivities have also been revived in recent years and one of its great traditions is the performance of the Palotiau, a male dance in which men make wooden sticks clash with each other.
Panticosa ski resort
Located in the Tena Valley, the Panticosa-Los Lagos ski resort is part of the Ordesa-Viñamala Biosphere Reserve and is surrounded by extremely beautiful mountain scenery. It has modern facilities and manufactures artificial snow, meaning that all the ski enthusiasts can ski, even when there is little snowfall. It is situated at an altitude of 1,185 metres and is very close to El Pueyo de Jaca and the Panticosa Spa.
Lanuza Reservoir
The Lanuza reservoir stores the waters of the river Gállego, a tributary of the Ebro, and other streams and torrents that flow down from the neighbouring mountains. Its dam was inaugurated in 1980 and the reservoir holds a total of 16.86 cubic hectometres of water. Its construction caused the flooding of a large part of the urban centre of Lanuza and 114 hectares of land dedicated mainly to grazing. For this reason, the village which gave its name to the reservoir became completely uninhabited in 1978.
La Sarra reservoir
Located to the north of the town of Sallent de Gállego, the La Sarra reservoir stands in a territory that radiates magic and peace, as it is surrounded by leafy beech forests and is nestled in the valley, next to the Peña Foratata, at an altitude of 2,321 metres. There are some wonderful hiking trails nearby, suitable for all levels. One of them runs around the perimeter of the reservoir, some 2.5 kilometres long, and allows visitors to discover the beauty of this place. In the northern part of the reservoir, next to the river, there are a number of wooden tables and benches where you can enjoy a delicious meal or snack if you wish. There is also a restaurant next to the reservoir: the Asador de la Sarra.
Argualas peak
The Argualas peak is a mountain in the Pyrenees that stands out for its size and beauty, overlooking the Tena Valley, next to the village of Panticosa. It forms part of the southern section of the Picos del Infierno and has an altitude of 3,046 metres. It is a much-loved peak by mountaineering enthusiasts due to its relatively easy ascent and the stunning surroundings. The best route for the climb is from the Panticosa Spa, at an altitude of 1,600 metres, on the southeast face of the mountain.
Hiking routes in Lanuza
Lanuza is an ideal spot in which to follow hiking trails in stunningly beautiful surroundings. You don’t need to climb the peaks to enjoy the views. Some of the routes on offer are those that lead from Lanuza to the Sierra Plana viewpoint via El Frondón (6.6 kilometres) or to the Lanuza reservoir (12.6 kilometres). You can also take the circular route of the Antenas de Lanuza, 7.3 kilometres long, or the one that leads to the summit of Pacino (6.6 kilometres).
Where to eat near Lanuza
You can’t leave Lanuza (Huesca) without tasting some good mountain asparagus or a pasty filled with pumpkin and nuts. Chiretas, or filled lamb tripe, are also a traditional local delicacy. This is in addition to empanadico pasties and boliche legumes from Embún. These are typical delicacies that you can enjoy in the restaurants in the area around Lanuza. If you have the chance, head to Restaurante Tres Quiñones in Sallent de Gállego; Restaurante Lavedan in Tramacastilla de Tena; the gastronomic restaurant Vidocq in Formigal; La Cabaña Grill & Chill in Panticosa; Restaurante Asador Mingo in Escarrilla or El Embalse in El Pueyo de Jaca. There are many more places near Lanuza where you can enjoy delicious cuisine.
