Arens de Lledó
Elevation: 381 m
Area: 34,32 km²
Population: 240
Public holidays: Local festivities from 12 to 17 August. Santa Agueda, on 5 February. Sant Hipólito, on first Saturday of May. San Juan, on Saturday closest to 24 June.
An ancient gate is located at the entrance to the village. The places of interest are ‘Plaza Mayor’, the Town Hall, the gothic church ‘de la Asunción de Nuestra Señora’ and the ancient ‘San Francisco’ convent, located in calle Alta. La Casa de la Tía Soledad is also situated in Arens and is one of the few Modernist buildings in the region. This five-floor construction, with an attic that opens into a gallery featuring five pointed arches, is located in calle del Medio, 4.
TOWN HALL
Albeit somewhat smaller, this building forms part of the architectural movement that was so typical of this region in the 17th century, characterized by the construction of monumental council houses in Renaissance style, which symbolise municipal rather than feudal power, represented in this case by the Bishop of Zaragoza.
‘CASA L´ESCOLÀ’ OR ‘CASA DE LA TÍA SOLEDAD’
Numerous Modernist houses were built in the early 10th century, which characteristically had four or more floors, an arched gallery on the top floor, wrought-iron balconies and plant-themed ornamentation. ‘Casa l’Escolà’ is the most prominent of these because it is the tallest house in the village and has five floors.
IGLESIA PARROQUIAL DE LA ASUNCIÓN DE NUESTRA SEÑORA
The gothic church, built in the upper part of the village in the 14th century, has a single nave from which two side chapels were opened in the 17th century. From the outside, one of the most striking elements is the window, which is ornamented with Gothic tracery.
ANCIENT CONVENT
A Franciscan convent in Renaissance style was built on this site in the 16th century and was transferred to private ownership due to the 18th century confiscations, whereupon it was transformed into three homes. A coat of arms with Franciscan symbols can be seen on the gate in the northern façade, in front of the church.
PORTAL DE BAIX
This gate frames one of the entrances to the village. The nucleus, which was of Muslim origin, expanded as the population was grew, leading to an urban framework on different levels. ‘Portal de Baix’ was part of the last extension of the 18th century and consists of a semi-circular archway crowned by a small niche.
LO RAIG
This stretch of Arens’ irrigation canal, which draws water from Algars River and irrigates the gardens, is called ‘Lo Raig’ or stream. It is made of dry stone and may be of Muslim origin.