Irgo: Romanesque Heritage and Views across the Pyrenees

On the outskirts of Irgo stands the Mare de Déu de les Neus d’Irgo at an altitude of 1,380 m. The building has a single nave and is covered by a barrel vault. Its porch protects a portal with a round arch, while its construction follows the Lombard tradition.

Culture

500 m before reaching the village of Irgo stands the Ermita de Sant Salvador d’Irgo. It is a heavily remodelled single-nave building with a barrel vault. The nave was later extended towards the east; a portal was opened there in the new façade. Thus, the two buildings stand side by side with Lombard construction on the one hand and a clearly altered, extended form on the other, without their respective architectural features merging into one another.

The Ermita de Sant Salvador d’Irgo is hypothetically regarded as a rustic building from the 12th century. Its location before reaching the village, the later extension towards the east and the portal in the new façade are part of its described form.

Landscape

The Mirador de Sant Salvador d’Irgo is an elevated viewpoint above the centre of Irgo. From this viewpoint, there are extensive views across the valley and the Pyrenees. It can be reached either by vehicle to a point near the viewpoint or via a short walk. This distinguishes the Mirador, with its explicitly mentioned views over the valley and the Pyrenees, from the Ermita, which is considered a viewpoint over the two valleys along the les 2 Nogueres route.

Routes

The les 2 Nogueres route continues from the road to Iran and Irgo through Irgo to the Ermita de Sant Salvador d’Irgo. Along its course, the route connects the road, village and building; the Ermita is considered a viewpoint over the two valleys along this route. Its significance as a viewpoint is therefore tied to the route, while the Mirador de Sant Salvador d’Irgo above the village centre is described as a separate elevated viewpoint.

Two named Enduro routes are available from or starting in Irgo: RUTA 8. ENDURO IRGO - LLESP is an Enduro descent from Irgo to Llesp, while RUTA 9. ENDURO TUAREG is an Enduro route starting from Irgo. The first route therefore specifies a descent with a fixed destination, while the second specifies a start from Irgo.

Other Places

Other places: Travesseres, Mont-Ros, Bellpuig, Florejacs, Cortscastell, Vilanova De Bellpuig, Rubió and Ivars de Noguera.

History

The Ermita de Sant Salvador d’Irgo is part of the Romanesque heritage of Alta Ribagorça. The Mare de Déu de les Neus d’Irgo is also part of this Romanesque heritage.

To the broader travel overview: Lleida.