Cervera: University, City Walls and Aquelarre

Culture

The Paraninfo, or ceremonial hall, of the University of Cervera includes a chapel and a Baroque altarpiece by Jaume Padró. The hall brings together a ceremonial hall, chapel and Baroque furnishings in a single space. The University of Cervera organises guided and theatrical tours of the university, church and city of Cervera. The guided tours and theatrical performances thus encompass the university, church and urban space equally.

Cervera's historic architecture includes the city walls, which have been designated a Cultural Asset of National Interest. They were built during the reign of Peter the Ceremonious in the 14th and 15th centuries. The walls therefore belong both to the city's medieval history and to its officially designated cultural heritage.

Experiences

Aquelarre is a festival of fire, music and witches held in Cervera every year on the last Saturday in August. The Passion of Christ performance at the Gran Teatre de la Passió features more than 300 actors. The two cultural events therefore differ clearly in both their subject matter and the size of their casts: a celebration of fire, music and witches is followed by a Passion of Christ performance with a large number of actors.

To explore the city, Itinerari 6 “Un passeig per Cervera” is a city route that visits the most important architectural monuments and the city's most distinctive corners. Cervera can also serve as the starting point for the Route of the Castles of the Sió. This route has a low level of difficulty and can be completed by mountain bike, on foot or by car. One route focuses on architectural monuments and distinctive corners within the city; on the other, Cervera serves as the starting point for the Route of the Castles of the Sió, which can be completed using three modes of transport.

Getting there

Cervera can be reached from Barcelona and Lleida via the A-2 dual carriageway. Cervera can also be reached via the Barcelona–Lleida–Madrid railway line. Travel to Cervera therefore centres on both a road connection and a railway connection.

Other destinations at the same higher-level category are L'Alt Urgell, Les Borges Blanques, Massoteres, La Noguera, Juncosa, Claravalls, Ivars D'urgell and Bellpuig.

City Life

A street market takes place in the centre of Cervera every Friday. The “I'm 93” exhibition and the museum's temporary exhibitions are open to visitors on Wednesdays, Thursdays, Sundays and public holidays from 10:00 to 13:00. On Fridays and Saturdays, the morning opening hours from 10:00 to 13:00 are extended by an afternoon slot from 16:00 to 18:00. The market follows a weekly schedule, while the exhibition opening hours cover several weekdays and two time slots.

The approximately 50-metre-high bell tower of Santa Maria in Cervera has bells that are still rung entirely by hand by the Campaners.

To the higher-level travel overview: Lleida.