On my way back to El Pas de la Casa and Toulouse, I decided to stop at the Basilica Sanctuary of Meritxell. This basilica is the most important religious place in Andorra and its architecture is one of a kind. Plus, it’s located in beautiful mountains and offers great views.
Visiting The Basilica Sanctuary Of Meritxell
Reaching The Basilica Sanctuary Of Meritxell
Since it’s a very important temple in Andorra, the Basilica Sanctuary of Meritxell is quite easy to find, even without a GPS. There are several signs to direct you to the place and its parking lot. The parking lot is free and I didn’t have any trouble finding a space.
An Unusual Architecture
The architecture can be surprising, it’s a mix of modern and ancient. This is due to a big fire that destroyed nearly completely the original temple in 1972. After that, it was recreated in a modern style by the Spanish architect Ricardo Bofill.
The Basilica Sanctuary of Meritxell is famous in the country because, as its name indicates, it’s dedicated to Our Lady of Meritxell, Andorra’s patron saint. As part of its modern style, the sanctuary is now a permanent exhibition about the history and cult of Meritxell.
What I like about it is that it’s full of light. Contrary to several churches, it’s very open. Some rooms don’t have a roof and you can really feel nature, the mountains and the sky. It’s different and very pleasant.
Hiking To the Creu De Carlemany
If you walk around the Basilica Sanctuary of Meritxell, you’ll find a path that goes up. It’s not that long a hike, but it’s quite steep. On the way, you’ll see a few stops from where you can see the mountains.
At the top of the hill, you’ll find a cross called Creu de Carlemany. The cross dates back to the 16th century and was before called Cross of Meritxell. It served as a reference for pilgrims and travellers who were going to the sanctuary.
The visit doesn’t take long, but I think it’s worth going, especially if you’re interested in knowing more about the small country that is Andorra.
To see more photos of Andorra, you can visit the gallery Andorra.
