Bossòst

It is a lively village of Baish Aran, whose shops bring many visitors, mainly from the nearby country (France), as it is just a few kilometers far through the beautiful Portilhon mountain pass. Its 12th century parish church, Mair de Diu dera Purificacion, is a beautiful example of the Lombard Romanesque style which various masters from Vall de Boí brought to Val d’Aran. In addition, Bossòst is surrounded by seven romanesque chapels that, according to its inhabitants, were built to protect them from the plague.

The church of Bossòst, one of whose absides was reconstructed at the end of the 20th century with modern techniques, is a good example of the Romanesque style which came with the Lombard masters. Its basilical ground plan with three absides in the front looking towards the east and the characteristic blind arcades in the exterior demonstrate it. But its slender and strong fortified tower reminds us that it belonged to an ancient medieval castle, as some documents confirm. Legend tells us that the six Romanesque chapels surrounding the village saved it from the plague; they can be visited. The chapels of San Serta, San Juan Crisófono, Casteràs, Piedad and San Antonio are noteworthy as they are visited every June by the villagers in an annual pilgrimage. Nonetheless, the patron saint of Bossòst is San Roc and the annual town party of the village celebrates it on 16th August.

Bossost is crossed by a pretty walkway in the Garona plains with large trees, the so-called Eth Grauèr; an interesting commercial center with lively typical shops and restaurants is around it. The Garona becomes quite wide and powerful in this section which creates ideal conditions for rafting and other adventure sports. In addition, we will also find in Bossost the last sawmill still working in Val d’Aran, a testimony to an activity which was a key in the economy of the valley.

Another key activity in Baish Aran is the mining industry, which can be seen in the Margalida mines. The remains of the mines can be seen going up the unpaved road to the Margalida forest, where the brown bear has been barely seen last year and in whose waters lives the Pyrenean newt. The road can be reached crossing the river over the new bridge and taking the paved road to the left. The road goes on towards Arres and on the left one can see the unpaved road which goes to the forest.

The most spectacular itinerary which can be made from Bossòst is the ride up the Portilhon Pass. This is a quite famous and difficult stage of a Spanish cycling race (la Vuelta Ciclista) which goes through the lush fir tree forest with a stop which one can not miss: Coth de Baretja. From this point, there is a spectacular view of Baish Aran, Bossòst and the Margalida forest. If you follow this road you will enter France through the well-known village of Luchon.