Festivals of interest

The most notable festivals take place in Huesca in honour of its patron saint, San Lorenzo. For a week, from 9th to 15th August, the city undergoes an utter transformation, becoming decked in green and white, the atmosphere fills with the aroma of basil and the citizens parade out into the streets to celebrate the Fiestas de San Lorenzo.

On the morning of the 9th, as tradition dictates, thousands of the city's inhabitants eagerly await the pistol shot announcing the beginning of the festivals in Plaza de la Catedral. Amongst these festivities, it is worth mentioning the dancers, of ancestral tradition, the procession on 10th and the tribute made at the end of the festivities. Cheerful, bustling events also take place, which relate to the importance of the Feria Taurina.

Over this period, the city attracts a large number of visitors, who contribute fully to the atmosphere thanks to the hospitality of the people of Huesca.

Huesca, also plays host on dates such as San Vicente to the locality's small festival, which takes place on 22nd January, with its traditional bonfire and "patatada"; the Carnivals, with their mounted procession: San Jorge, Aragon's regional day, with the gathering at the hermitage located at the top of the hill which bears its name, or Holy Week in Huesca, attended by a large number of faithfuls.

The Fiestas de San Lorenzo and Huesca's Holy Week have been declared Festivals of Touristic Interest.

Things to do

Whether playing golf at Arascués-Nueno, flying a glider or light aircraft at Monflorite-Alcalá, windsurfing at Arguis and Tormos, canoeing or rafting on the Gállego, bungee jumping, pony-trekking in Huesca, riding a camel at Tardienta, climbing at Vadiello, paragliding, abseiling into the Parque Natural de Huesca, there is something for everyone in Huesca.

You can live in and experience the city of Huesca all year round, leaving and returning to any destination within the province in little time: there is so much choice easily within reach.

Everything is just a stone's throw away from Huesca – your “Gateway to the Pyrenees”.

From here the choice is yours, eat in Michelin restaurants, walk throughthe medieval walkways of Loarre Castle, watch the migrating birds,go down the ravines of Sierra de Guara or try rafting on the Gallego River,savour the best Somontano wines, etc... an endless list of sensations.

Tempted? Come to the Hotel abba Huesca. You'll want to come back again and again!

Further information

Xacobeo 2010

This Holy Year offers a unique opportunity to celebrate the Camino de Santiago as a place of pilgrimage and a meeting point for people of different nations that has become a symbol of fraternity over the centuries and a corner stone of an awareness of Europe, as affirmed by the Prince of Asturias Award for Concord won in 2004.

The Holy Year Xacobeo 2010 is very important as it symbolises the end of a cycle which has been particularly prominent for the number of pilgrims who have followed the Camino de Santiago over the years. Given the leap years, the Feast of St. James on 25th July falls on a Sunday every 11, 6, 5, 6 and then 11 years. So there won’t be another ‘Jacobeo’ until 2021.

In order to obtain the jubilee, all pilgrims must honour the three traditions:

• Visit the grave of the Apostle in the Cathedral and pray.
• Receive the Sacrament of Confession (either in the Cathedral or anywhere else, two weeks earlier or afterwards).
• Receive communion.

This indulgence is applicable to the deceased. Jubilee indulgences are granted once a day under the following conditions:

• Visiting the Cathedral while praying.
• Receiving the Sacraments of Confession (two weeks earlier or afterwards) and the Holy Communion.

The Xacobeo 2010 programme has been designed to satisfy the cultural needs of different audiences and different ages. Large and small scale shows, musical performances and projects are being organised covering a range of artistic disciplines: photography, animation and film, and exhibitions.

Further Information