Araguás del Solano. Church of San Policarpo.12th to 18th centuries
San Policarpo in Araguás del Solano is a construction of Romanesque origin which underwent considerable modification in subsequent building stages. The doorway is the only element that remains of the original structure. The tower was built in the 15th century at the western end of the church and comprehensive reforms were made to the building in the 18th century, giving the church its present aspect.
The temple is made up of a single nave divided into three sections. Two rectangular chapels were opened in the second section giving the floorplan the shape of a Latin cross. In the nave, which is covered with a barrel vaulted ceiling, there is a altarpiece with interesting iconography dedicated to San Policarpo.
Other relevant works are the four altarpieces in the rest of the church, the choir gallery ballustrade and a small freestanding sculpture dating from the 17th century which represents the Virgin with the Baby Jesus. One of the four altarpieces (16th century) is dedicated to St Anne and is situated in the chapel of the Holy Christ. It combines painting and sculpture and its decoration includes paintings of St Peter and of St Martin cutting his cape in half to share with the poor man. Experts consider this a reference to Martin of Aynsa born in Araguás and canon of the cathedral in Jaca, who commissioned the work in 1588.
The remaining altarpieces, of Barroque style, dominate the lateral chapels and are dedicated to the Virgin of the Rosary and the Holy Christ. The latter has an interesting, late-Gothic sacrarium. The choir gallery ballustrade also deserves a mention. It dates from the 16th century and presents an attractive combination of different styles with late-Gothic, curvilinear tracery and Renaissance adornments.