Villanúa facts for kids

A view of Villanúa village.

Villanúa (called Bellanuga in Aragonese) is a small town in the Pyrenees mountains of Spain. It's located in the northern part of Huesca province, in an area known as Jacetania. Villanúa sits in the Aragon valley, where the valley becomes wider. The name "Villanúa" means "new village," and it was settled again in the late 900s. The town is 953 meters (about 3,126 feet) above sea level and covers an area of 58.2 square kilometers (about 22.5 square miles). It is nestled at the base of Collarada mountain, which is 2,886 meters (about 9,469 feet) tall. In 2018, about 447 people lived there.

Villanúa is a popular place for tourists. It is located between the city of Jaca and the ski resorts of Candanchú and Astún. It's also quite close to the French border, just 12 kilometers (about 7.5 miles) away through the Somport Tunnel.

Population Changes Over Time

The number of people living in Villanúa has changed a lot over the years. Here's a look at how the population has grown and shrunk from 1900 to 2018.

Things to See and Do in Villanúa

Villanúa offers many interesting places to explore, especially if you enjoy history and nature.

Historic Buildings and Sites

• The Old Town Centre: Wander through the narrow streets of the historic part of Villanúa.
• Church of San Esteban: This church has a special wooden statue from the 11th century. It shows the Virgin Mary and is known as "Our Lady of the Angels."
• The Railway Viaduct: This is a large bridge built for trains, and it's an impressive sight.
• Dolmens: These are ancient stone structures, often used as tombs, from prehistoric times.
• Chapel of San Juan: A small, historic chapel.

Natural Wonders

• The Cave of Las Güixas: This is a famous cave system that you can visit. It's full of amazing rock formations.
• Aragon River: The beautiful Aragon river flows through the area, adding to the lovely scenery.

Abandoned Villages

You can also find the abandoned villages of Cenarbe and Aruej nearby. Aruej has a small Romanesque church called San Vicente, which dates back to the 12th century. These villages are in a very scenic area.

The Way of St. James

Villanúa is located on the old Aragonese pilgrim's road. This path is part of the famous Way of St James, which leads to Santiago de Compostela. Many people walk this historic route every year.

Local Festivities

The main celebrations in Villanúa happen on two dates:

• September 8: This day celebrates the Virgin's Nativity.
• December 26: This day honors San Esteban (Saint Stephen).

More Information

You can find more information about Villanúa for kids in Spanish here: Villanúa para niños