Roda de Isábena facts for kids
Roda de Isábena is a small village in the Huesca province of Spain. It is part of the Isábena area, located in the Ribagorza region. This village has a long and interesting history, especially because of its beautiful old cathedral.
Roda de Isábena was once a very important place. It was the main town of the Ribagorza county, which was like a small kingdom. It was also home to a bishop, which meant it had a special church called a cathedral. The amazing Romanesque Cathedral of Roda was built here between the 11th and 12th centuries.
The village is located near the Isábena river. The Ribagorza county was one of the first areas that helped create the Kingdom of Aragon. Roda de Isábena sits high up on a mountain, watching over the Isábena valley. In the 10th century, it was a strong, fortified village. It acted as a lookout point between the Muslim city of Saragossa and the Christian Ribagorza county. This county later became part of the Kingdom of Aragon.
A Historic Church Center
Around the middle of the 10th century, Roda de Isábena became a very important religious center. This meant it was the main place for a bishop to live and work. The Cathedral of San Vicente de Roda de Isábena was opened, and the village also became the main political center of the Ribagorza county.
Over time, the bishop's main office moved to other cities like Lleida and then to the diocese of Barbastro-Monzón. This made Roda de Isábena less important. Later, some historical changes in Spain meant that church lands were sold. Also, in the 20th century, some valuable art pieces were taken from the cathedral. These events caused the village to lose some of its rich cultural treasures.
Roda de Isábena Today
Today, Roda de Isábena is known for being the smallest village in Spain that once had a cathedral. Even though it's small, it still has a special charm. Visitors can stay in a hotel located in a palace that dates back to the 17th century. It's a great place to visit and learn about history.
Images for kids
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The cloister of the Cathedral of Roda de Isábena.
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Palace Roda de Isábena
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view from front of Palace Roda de Isábena
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Morrons de Güel from Roda de Isábena
