Canfranc, in the past a small town, lies in the narrow valley of the Aragon river, between the mountains of Aspe and Collarada at an altitude of 1,045 metres. Surrounded by spectacular limestone outcrops (Peña Blanca, Cambo and Porrato) and river gorges (Ip, Aguare, Curuye and Los Meses) its location is certainly impressive.

The village itself, historically the administrative centre of the municipality, was almost abandoned after a devastating fire in 1944. Today, it is in a process of slow recovery as new apartment buildings emerge from the ruins of the previous houses.

History
Canfranc (Campus Francus) is first mentioned in the 11th century, during the reign of Ramiro I, as a frontier town and headquarters of customs authorities. This function profoundly influenced the course of its history. However, recent discoveries have shown that it already had a population in Roman times, doubtless as a result of the existence of the Roman road between Caesaraugusta and Las Galias, via Somport (Summus Portus).

Its medieval history was closely linked to the constant stream of pilgrims heading towards Santiago and this explains the fact that St Christina hospital had properties here, including a palace, a mill and a bread oven. The population of Canfranc, for the most part dedicated to muleteering and cross-border commerce, had close cultural and commercial ties with the inhabitants of the neighbouring Aspe valle. This is amply reflected in past place names and surnames.

Heritage
Despite its historical setbacks, Canfranc still maintains some of its artistic heritage. The parish church of the Assumption, built by Juan de Segura in 1520 and rebuilt after the 1617 and 1944 fires, houses four interesting Barroque altarpieces in its lateral chapels. Little remains of its historical castle of medieval origin, later extended by Tiburcio Spanochi in 1592. It was destroyed during the building of the road in 1928 and only the east wall is still standing.

Also medieval, of Gothic style, are the remains of the tower which stands near the church and which has been identified as the fortified house built by lesser nobleman Aznar Palacín in 1341. At the end of the village, greeting travellers arriving from the south, is the characteristic silhouette of the church of the Trinity. It was built in the middle of the 16th century with the patronage of the merchant Blasco de Les and became his pantheon. Today, only a chapel in Renaissance style remains.

Canfranc has two old stone bridges, one upstream and one downstream from the village. The lower bridge is the most graceful and is of medieval origin. It was rebuilt in 1599.

Popular architecture
The 1944 fire completely destroyed three quarters of the village, which had been one of the most beautiful in the Pyrenees. Spectacular, steep slate roofs, rounded and Gothic windows and large doorways were typical of its architecture which displayed an evident French influence.

This unique architecture disappeared almost completely as a result of the urgent need to demolish and rebuild as quickly as possible. However, its unusual, 400-metre main street and throughway is the subject of studies by historians researching medieval town planning.

Festivities and traditions
The local festivities are celebrated on the 15th of August in honor of the Virgin of the Assumption.

Other villages in the municipality: Canfranc Station

Text taken from the Jacetania Area Signposting Plan. 2001-2006