Arties is a Poble en Encant of the Val d'Aran. A natural enclave located at an altitude of 1,143 m where water and history come together. The town is strategically located at the confluence of the Valarties river with the Garonne and offers panoramic views of the Montardo peak, 2,833 metres above sea level.In Arties you will find one of the best examples of Romanesque architecture in the area. It is the church of Santa Maria d'Arties, a temple built between the 11th and 12th centuries, crowned by a large bell tower that was built between the 13th and early 14th centuries. Inside there is an outstanding altarpiece from the 15th century in Gothic style that represents different scenes from the Bible with the Virgin Mary.The Gothic church of Sant Joan is also very close by. Built in the 14th century, it has an octagonal bell tower and currently functions as a center for travelling exhibitions.Walking through the center of this charming village, you will see a large number of Renaissance houses with large windows, like Casa Paulet, and also buildings like Casa Portolá. This house is a jewel of Aranese architecture, from the 14th and 15th centuries, and incorporates a defence tower. Currently, it is the Hotel-Parador d'Arties. It also has a thermal water centre. The outdoor facilities allow you to bathe and enjoy the benefits of the sulphurous waters at 39 °C, while you contemplate the magnificent mountains that surround the town.If you visit Arties during Sant Joan you will participate in the Taro Festival. In this town, the summer solstice marked the beginning of the productive cycle, the fields were sown and the herds were taken up the mountain. This ritual was carried out to guarantee the livelihood of the town and consisted of lighting a large 8 to 10 metre fir tree, the taro, located in the Plaça Major. Once lit, the whole town enjoyed the party, and continues to enjoy it, and the traditional dances around the fire.The natural surroundings of this town invite you to enjoy nature. If you like skiing, you can go to the Baqueira Beret resort. Another option is mountain biking or hiking routes around the Mar, Tòrt de Rius or Restanca glacial lakes. This also has a refuge, at 2,010 metres of altitude, where you can rest and relax after the effort.To recover your strength after so much exercise, try the high-end gastronomy mountain of the Val d'Aran, with energy-filled dishes such as olla aranese, a soup based on meat, vegetables and legumes, and also caulets, cabbage leaves stuffed with meatballs that are cooked in a frying pan.