During the 11
th and 12
th centuries, a set of churches were built in the Vall de Boí following a model from northern Italy: the Lombard Romanesque. Slender bell towers, careful stone work, decorated exteriors with blind arcades and Lombard bands... This unity of architectural style has characterised these temples and this year marks twenty-five years since they were recognised as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.
The Romanesque complex of the Vall de Boi is made up of the churches of Sant Climent and Santa Maria de Taull, Sant Joan de Boí, Santa Eulàlia d’Erill la Vall, Sant Feliu de Barruera, la Nativitat de Durro, Santa Maria de Cardet, Assumpció de Cóll and the hermitage of Sant Quirc de Durro.
The church of Sant Climent de Taüll is perhaps one of the best known as it has the image of Christ in Majesty of Taüll which has made it renowned and has been used to represent the Catalan Romanesque. Although the original now stands in the National Museum of Art of Catalonia (MNAC), you can still see a section of the deep layer of the original in the temple along with other fragments of original painting, a highlight being the scene of Cain and Abel, as well as an image recreation of what the apse was like in the 12
th century.
Out of these churches, Santa Maria de Cardet has one of the most spectacular apses of the set. It’s also the only one with a belfry, a result of the baroque transformations that it underwent over time.
For a truly immersive experience and to travel back in time, visiting the Romanesque Centre of Vall de Boí, in Erill la Vall, is a real must. Thanks to the virtual reality experience
The eyes of history, you can delve into the art and history of these temples while also discovering the nature, religion and medieval society that shaped this exceptional heritage.
You can round off your visit with hiking trails that frame art in the nature that hosts it. There are routes that run along historical paths and connect the villages in the valley, even some abandoned ones, allowing you to enjoy the beauty of the landscape all year round. And after all that walking, there’s nothing better than relaxing in the Caldes de Boí Balneari Thermal Resort. Located at an altitude of 1470 metres, it has 37 thermal springs.
A proposal brought to you in collaboration with
Descobrir magazine.
