OUR LADY OF MERITXELL & VIRGIN CANÒLICH
Our Lady of Meritxell
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Sanctuary of Lady Meritxell
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Sanctuary of Virgin Canòlich
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Virgin Canòlich
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Pilgrimage to Andorra
Our Lady of Meritxell
We are here in the spiritual centre of Andorra, since the sanctuary is dedicated to the Verge Meritxell (Virgin Meritxell), the patron saint of all the Andorran valleys.
The oldest building is a church of 1658, built on the remains of a Romanesque building, only still visible the plane of the apse and the west wall. On the night of 8 to 9 September 1972 (patron day), a violent fire devastated the small church. The flames destroyed the image of the Verge de Meritxell, a Romanesque sculpture from the end of the 4th century (which, according to legend, was found in the middle of January under a rose rose), a Gothic virgin, Gothic and Baroque altarpieces, and all the ornament of the bedside, works by the painter Oromí of Seu d'Urgell.
It was in the wake of this tragedy that the General council of Andorra commanded the architectural workshop of Ricardo Bofill the project of a new sanctuary. Inaugurated on September 8, 1976, it is resolutely modern, even futuristic. This sanctuary remains one of the most sensitive places in Andorran culture. Inside, the replica of the Roman Virgin dynasty, is the work of the Andorran sculptor Sergi Mas, one of the most famous artists of the Principality. In the former part, a commemorative exhibition displays the history of the people, church, patronage and fire. In 2014 Pope Francis attributed to this sanctuary the distinction of minor basilica, thus recognizing the distinctive liturgical life of the sanctuary and the remarkable cultural activity of the place.
The best way to discover the extent of the sanctuary is to walk along the Royal Road from the village of Prats. At heights, the sanctuary stands out step by step.
Virgin Canòlich
The climb in endless turns towards the sanctuary, 8 km from Sant Julià de Lòria, can give the wrong road, but it is worth it because you are facing this place of pilgrimage far from the world and revered by hermits. Perched on the heights of the province (1 635 m), this small chapel dedicated to the virgin Canòlich was restored on the ruins of a Romanesque church.
Inside a baroque altarpiece, you can admire ceramic mural frescoes, works by local artist Sergi Mas.
From the place of the sanctuary, there is a breathtaking view of the Lauredianes mountains. It is the subject of a pilgrimage at the end of May (the last Saturday of the month) during which the Lauredians walk down until then and spend a festive day with family, between neighbours and friends. They share grilled meat in barbecue on the sites provided on the sides of the church.
We are here in the spiritual centre of Andorra, since the sanctuary is dedicated to the Verge Meritxell (Virgin Meritxell), the patron saint of all the Andorran valleys.
The oldest building is a church of 1658, built on the remains of a Romanesque building, only still visible the plane of the apse and the west wall. On the night of 8 to 9 September 1972 (patron day), a violent fire devastated the small church. The flames destroyed the image of the Verge de Meritxell, a Romanesque sculpture from the end of the 4th century (which, according to legend, was found in the middle of January under a rose rose), a Gothic virgin, Gothic and Baroque altarpieces, and all the ornament of the bedside, works by the painter Oromí of Seu d'Urgell.
It was in the wake of this tragedy that the General council of Andorra commanded the architectural workshop of Ricardo Bofill the project of a new sanctuary. Inaugurated on September 8, 1976, it is resolutely modern, even futuristic. This sanctuary remains one of the most sensitive places in Andorran culture. Inside, the replica of the Roman Virgin dynasty, is the work of the Andorran sculptor Sergi Mas, one of the most famous artists of the Principality. In the former part, a commemorative exhibition displays the history of the people, church, patronage and fire. In 2014 Pope Francis attributed to this sanctuary the distinction of minor basilica, thus recognizing the distinctive liturgical life of the sanctuary and the remarkable cultural activity of the place.
The best way to discover the extent of the sanctuary is to walk along the Royal Road from the village of Prats. At heights, the sanctuary stands out step by step.
Virgin Canòlich
The climb in endless turns towards the sanctuary, 8 km from Sant Julià de Lòria, can give the wrong road, but it is worth it because you are facing this place of pilgrimage far from the world and revered by hermits. Perched on the heights of the province (1 635 m), this small chapel dedicated to the virgin Canòlich was restored on the ruins of a Romanesque church.
Inside a baroque altarpiece, you can admire ceramic mural frescoes, works by local artist Sergi Mas.
From the place of the sanctuary, there is a breathtaking view of the Lauredianes mountains. It is the subject of a pilgrimage at the end of May (the last Saturday of the month) during which the Lauredians walk down until then and spend a festive day with family, between neighbours and friends. They share grilled meat in barbecue on the sites provided on the sides of the church.
