The Areny-Plandolit House is one of the most emblematic museums in the country. The manor house dates from the eighteenth century, but most of the building's structures are from the mid-nineteenth century, a time of economic boom of the family thanks to the figure of Don Guillem d'Areny-Plandolit, third baron of Senaller and Gramenet. The dining rooms, the noble hall, the music room, the defense elements, the cellars, the library or the chapel reflect the differences with the rest of the Andorran society. The house was inhabited until the fifties of the twentieth century, and in 1972 the Consell General bought it to convert it into a museum, which opened in 1984.
The exhibition rooms are located on the ground floor of the FEDA hydroelectric power station building. This power station entered into service in 1934 and even today remains the main source of electricity production in Andorra. The power station building is considered to form part of Andorran cultural heritage due to its granite architecture and to the fact that it symbolises the modernisation of the country. The museum is located in a key building that also houses the control and operations room, the nerve centre for electrical power in our country, where visitors can also see the turbines that generate electricity in action. At present, the museum space is divided into two parts, one housing a permanent exhibition, the other devoted to temporary exhibitions on different themes. The permanent section in the MW Museum presents a more educational and historical view of electricity, with an exhibition of objects related to its development and a second space explaining what electricity is, where it comes from and how it is generated. There is also a section devoted to a chronological history of electricity in Andorra since 1909. This area is completed by a room for educational experimentation, an interactive space where visitors can perform different experiments for themselves, and the engine room, an impressive facility that houses the hydro power station’s three generators.
Harmony and peace between Pyrenean nature and contemporary sculpture. That is what the Juberri Gardens offer, in the parish of Sant Julià de Lòria. This small green space, created in 2005 by a family living in the town, is one of the most original places in the Principality of Andorra. A perfect proposal for art lovers and for all those who have a special sensitivity for the plant world. One of the great attractions of the Juberri Gardens is, of course, its sculptural decoration, largely designed by Angel Calvente. The artistic creations that can be contemplated in this space are very diverse, with a predominance of animal groups. Horses, sheep, elephants and species that come from different latitudes of the world and that emphasize the aforementioned contrast with the environment of the valley. Some of these works are very realistic representations of gorillas, panda bears or giraffes, among others, turning the place into a unique animal park stopped in time. But the best example of how contemporary art can coexist in perfect harmony with nature are the sculptural groups of giant hands, which simulate holding some trees in the garden by their trunks, as if they were a subtle flower stalk. There are also groups of human statues and even scale models of Andorran churches made in stone.
The Iron Route is part of the Iron Cross-border Itinerary in the Pyrenees, awarded by the Council of Europe. It is an ideal excursion for all ages and for families as it is easy to do and combines nature with culture to get to understand one of the most important social and economic activities of the country from the seventeenth century to the end of the nineteenth century, the iron and steel industry. And if you want to know more about the history of Andorra you can visit the Iron Mine and the Rossell Forge. Route information * Starting point: Llorts Iron Mine. * Difficulty: Easy * Difficulty: - 101 m * Distance: 4,24 km * Duration: 1 h * Dangerous step: No * Water: Yes * Type: GR11, marked with white and red lines.
The church of Santa Coloma is one of the oldest in Andorra. Of pre-Romanesque origin, it was built between the 8th and 9th centuries with a rectangular nave and a quadrangular apse. Its present appearance is due to the reforms that were made in the twelfth century, when the Lombard bell tower was added with a circular floor plan and four floors high, unique in the Principality and one of the few found in the Pyrenees. Likewise, the whole of the chevet of the church was decorated with a cycle of fresco mural paintings that have traditionally been attributed to the Master of Santa Coloma, although they are not the work of the same hand. This circumstance occurs in a large part of the Romanesque murals of Andorra and the Pyrenees, the work of workshops of nomadic painters who had received the same training. This has led experts to speak of schools such as the one that concerns us, that of the Master of Santa Coloma.
From the 18th century, built on a site near the old Romanesque chapel. It has a belfry with two belfries over the entrance and a porch. It preserves a baroque altarpiece from the old church with paintings evoking the martyrdom of Sant Romà
Andorra la Vella has, among its artistic heritage, numerous contemporary sculptures located in various parts of the parish. Located in the square of the Cierco buildings is Mobili, a sculpture by the Mallorcan artist Miquel Barceló that is part of a collection of eight works scattered in different cities around the world. This unique sculpture represents the origins of human life in the form of an old racing car with a monkey skull appearance.
Between the old town of Andorra la Vella and the Plaza del Poble, we find a beautiful bridge that connects in an incredible way these two places of the capital. The bridge known as the Rambla Molines is full of flowers that are incredibly preserved even in the winter months. In addition, from this place, we have the best view of the great church of Sant Esteve de Andorra de Vella.
Xixerella is a small village in the province of La Massana in the principality of Andorra. There is an 18-hole golf course next to the river. There is also an accommodation center for mountain and adventure sports tourism.
Impressive view of the church of San Cristobal hanging on a hill. This is the calling card of a traditional peasant village, very quiet and with an elegance that makes it very special.
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