Wildfire Threatens 1,000-Year-Old Monastery

Spanish authorities removed the remains of three 11th-century kings from a monastery threatened by a wildfire on August 14. The remains were taken to the provincial museum of Huesca, located 80km south of the monastery, for protection.

The monastery, San Juan de la Pena, is located in a mountain range and has origins in the 10th century. It holds the remains of the first three kings of Aragon, who ruled between 1035 and 1104. An emergency military unit team also removed ceremonial clothing belonging to an 18th-century count buried in the monastery.

The wildfire had burned more than 9,000 hectares by August 14 and forced the evacuation of 16 towns. The blaze intensified on August 13, fueled by higher temperatures and strong winds. A larger wildfire in southern Spain burned 31,000 hectares in the province of Huelva and forced the evacuation of around 700 people.

## What's at stake The monastery is a significant cultural and historical site, attracting around 100,000 visitors a year. It lies close to one of the world-famous Saint James pilgrimage routes to the northwestern city of Santiago de Compostela. The site has an incalculable symbolic value, with one member of a religious brotherhood describing it as 'our roots, our history'.

The army's emergencies unit (UME) released footage of its officers removing the monastery's priceless treasures, including the bones of medieval monarchs. The UME chief praised the bravery of the rescue team, who managed to enter the monastery and remove the remains and other historical items before the proximity of the flames forced them to flee.

The situation remains uncertain, with the UME chief expressing concern about how the fire will develop. However, a change in wind and predicted drop in temperatures may help to keep the flames at bay.