Discover La Seu d’Urgell: Romanesque architecture, old town and paths along the Valira

Culture and architectural history

The Catedral de Santa Maria de La Seu d’Urgell is the only Romanesque cathedral still preserved today. The present building was commissioned by Bishop Ot in 1090 and completed at the end of the 12th century. The history of the present building can therefore be traced chronologically from the commission in 1090 to its completion at the end of the 12th century.

The cloister contains more than 50 capitals. Their depictions show plants, people and popular mythical creatures. A visit to the cathedral complex includes the Catedral de Santa Maria de La Seu d’Urgell, the cloister, the Sant Miquel church and the Museu Diocesà. The Museu Diocesà displays one of the finest copies of the Beatus of Liébana as well as a copy of the Beatus d’Urgell. Thus, in addition to the church building, the cloister, Sant Miquel and the collection of the Museu Diocesà are also part of the named complex.

Museum and old town

The Espai Ermengol houses the city museum and the La Seu d’Urgell tourist information office. It is located in a building from the late 19th century in the historic centre. The permanent exhibitions at the Espai Ermengol present the city’s cultural heritage collection. They also showcase the natural heritage of the Alt Urgell region and the world of cheese. The permanent exhibitions in the same building thus bring together the history of the city, the natural heritage of Alt Urgell and cheese culture.

Carrer Major developed from a defensive moat that was levelled in the 16th century. Today, the street is the main axis of the old town. Carrer dels Canonges was the city’s main axis for centuries; from the 14th century onwards, the canons built their residences there. The Portal Vell d’Andorra is the most significant surviving remnant of La Seu d’Urgell’s original 13th-century fortifications. The streets and the portal therefore reveal both the history of the medieval fortifications and the later development of the old town.

Paths along the water

The Parc del Segre is suitable for walking and cooling off. Route 8 from La Seu to Anserall begins in the Parc del Valira. From there, it follows the lower course of the Valira towards Anserall. The route is therefore defined by its starting point in La Seu d’Urgell, its course along the lower Valira and its direction towards Anserall.

Market and regional products

The weekly market in La Seu d’Urgell takes place on Tuesdays and Saturdays in the town centre. It offers local products from the region. These include traditionally produced cheeses, traditional cured meats, as well as fresh fruit and vegetables. The two market days connect the town centre with an offering that includes both cheese and cured meats as well as fresh plant-based products.

The guided route “La Seu d’Urgell la capital del formatge” at the Espai Ermengol ends with a tasting of products with a protected designation of origin from the Cadí cooperative. This route therefore also leads back to the Espai Ermengol and concludes there with the aforementioned tasting.

Other places

Juncosa, La Torre De Cabdella, Fondarella, Lladorre, Llesp, Montsonís, Baix Pallars, Pradell

To the higher-level travel overview: Lleida.