The Pyrenees Park, recently opened, features barrier-free leisure choices, among which there is a fully wheelchair users adapted Hostel run by Disminuidos Físicos de Aragón (DFA).

Pirenarium is a leisure centre/park located in Sabiñánigo (Huesca). Pyrenees are well known due to the traditional skiing and climbing activities carried in the area for many years.

The park first opened at the end of July featuring an impressive large scale model resembling the mountains (from the Roncal valley to the Arán valley) which is 100 metres long and nearly 7 metres high: water, snow, paths and valleys are perfectly represented in the largest scale model of these characteristics in Europe. Panels with written information about the peaks and mountains (how to identify them, their names and heights.) are set nearby: the model is as accurate as a 3-d map. Unfortunately walkways above it are not prm's accessible.

Pirenarium Park's aim is to add new leisure choices in addition to those commonly known; there are other mock-ups which undoubtedly catch visitor's attention like the one of the famous Loarre Castle, where Ridley Scott filmed a part of his movie 'Kingdom of Heaven', the monastery of San Juan de la Peña, the collegiate church of Alquézar, the Basilica del Pilar, in Zaragoza, Canfranc railway station and many more.

A former old quarter Gravelinas and the surrounding areas house the Park's facilities. There's a parking area close to the building (on the right hand side) from where access is barrier-free to the main entrance. All the way to the arched "plaza" is concrete paved, and once there the shopping gallery, having two adapted toilets is accessed by means of a ramp . Next to the accessible restaurant on our right, there is an elevator which takes us to the first floor where we can enjoy the three accessible exhibition indoor halls: Pirenascope , where thanks to the special effects of a film, we will "fly"above the peaks (space for wheelchair users provided); still high in the sky the second hall gives us the chance to join computerized Virtual Flights (space for wheelchair users has been arranged here, too): finally, "we land" in third of the halls: "Aragón a country in the mountains" (photo exhibition where traditional jobs, flora, fauna, towns and landscapes of the Pyrenean can be seen). There are two adapted toilets in this floor.

Outdoor exhibition areas, in addition to the great scale model, are the Patio de maquetas y el Taller de maquetas (the yard of scale models and the workshop of scale models). From the great scale model and spreading over more than 40,000 m2 , rivers of the region are born; valleys and scale reproductions of main monuments are at the reach of hand.. The paths along and across this zone are concrete paved, featuring wheelchair adapted width and ramp slope . In the Taller one can see how models are made and what kind of maintenance they need: opposite to this zone there are two adapted toilets.

The 1000 m2 . barrier-free restaurant reproduces a town, with archs, rows of balconies, a "plaza" (square), trees... adapted toilets are close to the entrance, next to the fountain. Access to the shopping area is ramped; there are accessible shops which sell traditional food products and crafts of the region. A children's play area is located there too.

Pirenarium's Hostel has been specially designed having school groups in mind (sleeps up to 200); in the first floor of this central building are the accessible facilities (500 m2) managed by Disminuídos Físicos de Aragón (DFA) through a special agreement recently signed in order to provide leisure, cultural and recreational activities, to people with physical impairments. The adapted hostel, sleeping up to 40 mobility impaired people, has several fully accessible/adapted toilets with wheel-in showers, grab bars, etc.., and is accessed by an elevator. Meeting rooms, offices and classrooms are fully accessible.Bookings and enquiries about the adapted hostel are to be made by contacting DFA.

Opening Schedule Pirenarium
October, November ,December 2005
- Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and holidays: from 10 to 19 hs.
December (in addition):
- From the 5th to the 11th, - From the 26th to the 31st
Groups (25 five or more persons) the Park will be opened daily for these groups if previous booking is made reservas@pirenarium.com

PIRENARIUM. EL PARQUE DE LOS PIRINEOS.
Av. del Ejército, 27. 22600 Sabiñánigo. Huesca (España)
Tel: 902 480 001. E-mail: info@pirenarium.com
http://www.pirenarium.com

Disminuidos Físicos de Aragón (DFA)
Huesca : C/ Aragón, 3 Tel : 974 230 646. dfa-huesca@dfa-org.com
Teruel : C/ Ripalda, 5 Tel: 978 619 619. dfa-teruel@dfa-org.com
Zaragoza :C/José L. Pomarón, 9 Tel: 976 595 959. dfa@dfa-org.com

Rebecca Arce

Back to top