Culture

Remei shrine

The Shrine of Mare de Déu del Remei in Castilló de Tor is situated in the municipality of El Pont de Suert, in the heart of the comarca of Alta Ribagorza. This small, sand-coloured building is accessed through a wrought-iron gate bearing the letters ‘R’ and ‘M’. The shrine has a bell tower on the roof and is flanked by a metal cross mounted on a stone column.

A short distance from the shrine stands the Romanesque bridge at Castilló de Tor, which dates from the 12th century. This structure, situated in a stunning setting, is 22 metres long and is characterised by a single, large arch.

The property belongs to the village of Castilló de Tor, whose origins date back to the 11th century, although the castle was already mentioned in records a century earlier. Today, there are hardly any remains of the ancient fortress that gives the village its name. Today, this group of houses falls under the administrative jurisdiction of El Pont de Suert Council.

Otros puntos de interés

• Historically, the Port de Vielha was one of the main natural passes between the Aran Valley and the Ribagorza region. For centuries, shepherds, traders and travellers used this pass to cross the mountain range, particularly during the summer months. However, the high altitude and harsh weather conditions made the pass a difficult and, at times, dangerous route. The opening of the Vielha Tunnel in 1948 marked a turning point for transport links in the area, as it made it possible to cross the mountain range all year round without having to go over the pass. Nevertheless, the Port de Vielha retains great historical and scenic value as a former mountain route and as a prime vantage point over the Pyrenean landscape.