Martin M. Miles' photos with the keyword: Ruesta

Ruesta was a fortress, erected by the Moors within the 10th century. The place got conquered during the Reconquista and was an important fort, owned since 1054 by the Kings of Aragon. The town prospered and survived the times upto the 1950s, when the Yesa reservoir was constructed and the rising sea level submerged great parts of the valley. Not only the historical "Camino Aragonés" got destroyed, the villagers lost all the fields, they had cultivated over the centuries. They lost their basis of existence. In 1959 the village was abandoned and since then fell in ruins. Some years ago a trade union (CGT) has started a program to rebuild and revitalize Ruesta. So far there is a albergue and a nearby campsite. Unfortunately it is not allowed to "explore" the many ruined structures, as they are all very unstable. Here is a Spanish website with lots of information: www.iberica2000.org/Es/Articulo.asp?Id=3646

This ruin is all, what is left "in situ" of a hermitage, erected within the 11th century, belonging to San Juan de la Peña. Two days ago, I had seen marvelous and impressing frescoes in the museum in Jaca. They had been taken from this church - and saved. Nowadays the walls of the ruin are covered with graffiti.

Walking on the southern shore of the Yesa reservoir, approaching Ruesta on a crisp morning. After the shadowless stretches of the last days, this was a lovely hike. On one of the trees to the right are two markers: the yellow arrow - and the white/red square.