Abandoned in España

While staying at Abella Climbing, we were talking to the Refugi's caretaker Lili about things to see outside of climbing, she told us about some abandoned villages that she has studied. We asked her if there were rocks and she said they were built with rocks!! So of course we had to go!

But first, we found some fog.

And then we found some sheeps!! Markie started out the trip saying she wanted to play with sheeps, then they suddenly appeared right in our path. Later, while eating lunch outside of the abandoned village Lili had told us about, Markie sat on a rock listening to the sound of their bell clanking as they ran across the hills. (which was a pretty neat sound...)  

After that excitement, we were ready for some creepy, rocky, adventure stuffs! 

Here we are.

The town was called Aramunt Vell. It was a medieval town, first documented in 959, that was strategically placed on the top of a hill overlooking a small valley and the bigger Tremp basin. The last inhabitants left in the '60s or '70s but the town has been revisited since that time. 

These people apparently liked their liquor or they were using these barrels for something else?

Pretty sure they were eating with this bowl.

Whoa! Thats me! In a medieval house.

And some vines!! They happen to be one of the most structurally significant pieces of the village... Or at least it looks like it.

Aramunt Vell also contained a medieval church. It was the largest building in the village and had the most intact and beautiful structure.

After spending some time inside the church, we decided that it was time to leave this old, beautiful, deserted city and head out to find another. Or maybe just a nice sunset spot.

As you can see, leaving made Markie's head hurt.

But.... 

We found cats

And we couldn't decide which cat photos to share our story with... 

Sometimes you're trying to get your portrait taken, but someone decides to ninja attack the tree behind you.

We liked them... So we took em with us.

Hiding behind all of the cats, was this gorgeous church on the top of a massive limestone slab. The church was directly against the cliff edge. Unfortunately the rock quality was poor at best, so there was no opportunity to climb up to the Church.

Markie is still looking purdy.

The village's name is 'Santa Engracia' and it is situated above the Tremp Basin near Talaren.

We never saw another person out there in this cute village but we certainly didn't feel lonely with all of the cats around.

And you can clearly see that Markie was happy about that!

We are also sad to say that our stay has ended at Abella Climbing and we are headed off to Cuenca, about 6 hours south.

This awesome homie greeted us as we arrived to another ancient town!