Spain: a thousand-year-old rock monastery threatened by flames in Aragon

In Aragon, Spain, a thousand-year-old rock monastery is threatened by flames. A fire has been affecting an adjacent forest since Monday, in Las Peñas de Riglos, in the province of Huesca. The region deployed a record firefighting device on Sunday, while French reinforcements were expected to lend a hand and save the building.

Two monasteries coexist in this village of Santa Cruz de la Serós. The oldest, linked by legend to the Holy Grail, dates from the 10th century and houses the remains of the first kings of the medieval kingdom of Aragon. On Thursday August 13, the monasteries were “in serious danger of disappearing”. Taking the lead, the regional government decided to transfer the remains of the kings from the Royal Pantheon to the museum in Huesca, about 80 kilometers south of San Juan de la Peña.

“Legendary character”

Founded in the Middle Ages under an impressive rock wall, the old monastery houses the remains of many sovereigns of the region including Ramiro I of Aragon, considered the first king of Aragon, his son Sancho Ramirez, Peter I of Aragon, and Alphone I.

The site is on the route to Santiago de Compostela and is well known to pilgrims.