Casa de la Vall and other Andorra Things to Do Tips

Casa de la Vall
Originally built as a family home in 1580, Casa de la Vall was bought by the General Council in 1702 and is now the seat of the Andorran Parliament. Its architecture includes both civil and military elements. Inside there is an interesting cupboard with seven keys which once held the most important national documents. The cupboard could only be opened by the simultaneous presence of councillors from each of the seven constituencies in the country. There is also a dormitory and a kitchen with magnificent 16th century murals. The Sala de la Justicia is the only courtroom in the whole country and the Sala del Consell is where the parliament still assembles.

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Directions: Situated in the old heart of Andorra la Vella.

Andorran Village Festivals
During the months of July, August and September, many Andorran towns and villages hold lively festivals many of which go on for three days at a time. All of these festivals originated as Catholic religious feasts.

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Directions: Meritxell: National Festival 8th of September
Canillo: Village Festival on the third Saturday in July for three days
Encamp: Village Festival on the 15th, 16th and 17th of August.

Winter Sports
Probably Andorra’s most valuable natural resource, heavy winter snow is very conducive to most winter sports. For about six months of the year, Andorra’s well-equipped ski stations have perfect conditions for skiing.

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Directions: The main ski stations are at Pas de la Casa-Grau Roig, Soldeu-Tarter, Arinsal, Pal and Arcalís.

Santa Coloma Church
The church at Santa Coloma is one of the oldest churches in Andorra. Originally built in the pre-Romanesque style, it has undergone various alterations over the centuries including the addition of a 12th century bell tower and a 17th century portico on the south wall. The Church has many interesting features including its 12th century wooden icon of Our Lady of Mercy. Unfortunately the splendid Romanesque frescoes of Andorra now lie in the Prussian State Cultural Museum in Berlin.

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Caldea Health Spa
Caldea is one of Europe’s largest health spas, a futuristic architectural wonder situated in the heart of the Andorran mountains. There are over 6000 square meters of indoor and outdoor lagoons, saunas, jacuzzis, pools, Indo-Roman baths, cascades, bubble beds and much more. Fed by natural thermal springs, it is an essential part of any visit to Andorra, especially after a hard day’s fun in the snow.

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City: Andorra la Vella
Andorra La Vella is the capital of Andorra and its biggest town. Lying at the confluence of the Gran Valira, the Valira del Oriente and the Valira del Norte rivers, Andorra La Vella is dwarfed by stunning snow-capped mountains of up to 2500 metres high. Check out The Barri Antic (old town) the original heart of the town when it was little more than a village. Stroll in the Placa del Poble – the large public square atop the Edifici Administratiu Govern d’Andorra. It’s a great place for people watching of an evening and is home to the town’s theatre.

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Address: Andorra la Vella

City: Andorra La Vella
Andorra La Vella is the capital of this tiny principality nestling between France and Spain and is its biggest town. Lying at the confluence of the Gran Valira, the Valira del Oriente and the Valira del Norte rivers, Andorra La Vella is dwarfed by stunning snow-capped mountains of up to 2500 metres high. The town has now grown to absorb the once independent villages of Escaldes, Engordany and Santa Coloma.

The Barri Antic (old town) was the original heart of the town when it was little more than a village. It stretches from the Esglesia de Sant Esteve to Placeta del Puial and is characterized by atmospheric cobblestoned streets and arresting stone houses.

Stroll in the Placa del Poble – the large public square atop the Edifici Administratiu Govern d’Andorra. It’s a great place for people watching of an evening and is home to the town’s theatre and concert venue.

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