Les Valls de Valira: Romanesque Churches, Mountain Architecture and Nature

Nature and Landscape

The western part of the municipality of Les Valls de Valira belongs to the Parc Natural de l’Alt Pirineu. At the eastern edge of the municipality, Mount Bescaran belongs to the Tossa Plana-Puigpedrós Natura 2000 site. Ras de Conques, an extensive grazing area, is located in the Ars–Asnurri–Civís sector of the park.

The route to the Collada de Conflent from Os de Civís runs entirely through the Parc Natural de l’Alt Pirineu. The Collada de Conflent is a natural pass between the valley of Os de Civís and the valley of Santa Magdalena. Between Argolell and Sant Joan Fumat lie large, south-facing Devonian limestone cliffs that are approximately 385 million years old.

Culture and History

The historical references range from Sant Martí d’Ars, a Romanesque church from the 11th century, and the bell tower of Sant Martí de Bescaran, a Romanesque structure from the 11th and 12th centuries, to Sant Serni de Tavèrnoles, whose very ancient origins are connected with the Christianisation of this part of the Pyrenees.

Sant Martí d’Ars is protected as a cultural asset of national interest in the category of Historic Monument. The bell tower of Sant Martí d’Ars has a circular ground plan. The bell tower of Sant Martí de Bescaran is protected as a cultural asset of national interest in the category of Historic Monument. Sant Serni de Tavèrnoles is a cultural asset of national interest.

Anserall preserves the remains of the former Benedictine monastery of Sant Serni de Tavèrnoles. The notable groups of traditional bordes in Les Valls de Valira include, among others, the bordes of Civís, Conflent, Cortvassill, Escàs and Pudovern.

A Gothic fresco that was formerly located inside Sant Pere d’Os de Civís can now be seen in the Diocesan Museum of La Seu d’Urgell.

Another place in the municipality is Calbinyà. Other places include Granyena De Les Garrigues, Les Avellanes, Organyà, Gessa, Espui, Viliella and Rialp.

Places and Routes

Os de Civís is a mountain village with typical mountain architecture. The “Tierras de Frontera” visitor centre is located in Os de Civís. In Os de Civís, a self-guided tour leads through the oldest part of the village. The tour through Os de Civís is designated as a self-guided route through the village area.

The only road access to Os de Civís leads from Andorra via the CS-110 road towards Bixessarri and Os de Civís. The viewpoints differ in the number of panoramic information panels they have: the Mirador de la Collada de Conflent viewpoint in Os de Civís has two, while the Mirador de Borda Cremada viewpoint in Os de Civís has one.

For the higher-level travel overview: Lleida.