AssetID: 55917227
Headline: Bones of three Aragónese kings rescued from monastery threatened by Spanish wildfires
Caption: BY MARK WORGAN Spanish authorities have rescued the remains of three kings who ruled the Kingdom of Aragón in the 11th century after a monastery was threatened by a wildfire on Thursday. The remains were taken to the provincial museum in Huesca, about 80km (50 miles) south of the monastery, for safekeeping until conditions improve, said Mar Vaquero, vice-president of the north-eastern region of Aragón. In a statement, the Aragónese government said: “The Government of Aragon has this afternoon transferred to the Museum of Huesca the remains of the first Aragonese kings and the royal lineage that rested in the Royal Pantheon of the Monastery of San Juan de la Peña, due to the advance of the forest fire that began last Monday in Las Peñas de Riglos.” The wildfire moved towards the 10th-century San Juan de la Peña monastery late on Thursday. Fearing the historic site could be engulfed by flames, authorities launched their rescue operation. Vice President and Minister of the Presidency, Justice, Culture and Sport, Mar Vaquero, stated that there was “a critical moment between 1:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m.” due to fears that the monasteries could be “engulfed by flames.” The emergency military unit managed to enter the monastery and retrieve ceremonial clothing belonging to an 18th-century count buried there. The team was forced to leave as the flames drew closer. Luckily, they were able to return for a second operation and remove the remains of Aragón's first three kings, who ruled between 1035 and 1104, from the monastery’s pantheon inside the monastery. The wildfire intensified on Thursday as temperatures rose and strong winds fanned the flames. More than 9,000 hectares have been burned and 16 towns evacuated. However, the monastery was not damaged by the fire as of Friday morning. The artifacts have been transferred to the Museum of Huesca, "pending their return when normality resumes." Minister Vaquero recalled that the Monastery of San Juan de la Peña is linked to the birth of the Kingdom of Aragon. She said its protection "is a priority," and thanked the "heroic bravery" of the personnel who entered the monastery to rescue the cultural assets.
Keywords: feature,photo,video,spain,wildfires,bones,kings
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