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Lleida Holidays
Lleida or Lerida, not very known province in Catalonia, but worth getting to know it! |
Lleida or Lerida, not very known province in Catalonia, but worth getting to know it!
Tourist information about Lleida in Spain. Travel to Lleida and let Spain-Holiday.com guide and accommodate you |
Lérida, Lleida in Catalan, is one of the most mountainous provinces in Spain and is the fourth and probably least-known province in Catalonia. It is located in the northeast of Spain, forming part of the Catalan autonomous region. The mountainous areas are popular with tourists especially the area around the Pyrenees, most notably the Aran valley (good for winter sports). Tourists come here to ski during the Winter months and to enjoy walking holidays and adventure sports during the rest of the year. The province is also a well know wine producing area. The Boí valley was declared a world heritage site in 2001 due to the number of Roman churches and other remains in the area.
The capital city, with the same name as the province is built on the banks of the river Segre and is an important regional centre within Catalunya. It is famous for its agricultural produce and textile industry.
More information on the city of Lleida:
The best walk is to visit the cathedral first and then stroll around the surrounding area. There are many things to see in the Cathedral square: the Ilerdenses Institute, the Archeological museum and the Chapter House Museum and from there you can reach other museums, churches and the castle (Castillo de Gardeny).
Palaces and Castles: Castillo de Gardeny (12th - 13th century ). Parts of the wall and towers are original. Throughout history it was used for strategic and military purposes. Julia Caesar and his troops stayed there in 49 B.C. The castle was rebuilt and enlarged in the 13th century. From the hill where it is located you get great views over the city. The castle itself is closed to the public.
Cathedrals and churches in Lerida:
La Seo Nova (18th century) the new cathedral - built between 1761-1781 under the orders of king Charles 3rd. It is Baroque in style with a clear French influence. It has one floor with 3 naves and a series of columns. The steps leading to the large iron door with its Borbon coat of arms are unusual. The high alter has a statue of the Virgen de Montserrat.
La Seo Vella (13th century) the old cathedral - is dedicated to Santa María. Construction of the cathedral began in 1203, it was consecrated in 1278. The architect Pere de Coma built the cathedral over the remains of an ancient mosque. Work continued uninterrupted until the 14th century, when the cloister was completed. Two Baroque bells remain - the others are all electrically operated. You can access the cathedral either on foot or by car through the Lleó gate in the city wall.
Churches:
San Lorenzo: 12th century. Originally a Roman it underwent extensive work in the 14th century and now has the appearance of a Gothic church. It has curious octagonal tower.
San Martín, 12th century. A Roman church (the Roman museum is based here).
San Antonio o de la Sangre: renaissance facade
San Francisco Convent: Baroque, built between the 17th - 18th centuries around an old house belonging to the nobility.
Museums in Lerida:
The Archeological Museum, the Chaper House Museum, the Religious Sculptures Museum, the Morera Art Museum
la Paeria Townhall: 13th century, Neoclassic. It was remodelled in 1929 in a Neo medieval style. It was given to the city by the Sanauja family. There is a chapel inside with a Gothic altar from the 15th century. It also contains an old underground prison from the 15th century. It holds the cities archives in an ancient baroque cupboard known as the Armario de los Privilegios.
Shopping in Lerida: You can get local produce such as fruit, vegetables, meat, turron, wine (Costers del Segre - Raimat), olive oil (Les Garrigues), different types of cheeses, sliced meat and sausages. Look out for xolis which is a well known type of sausage from this area and girella which is a type of black pudding. Vila Viniteca Bodega is a wine shop selling a good selection of wines from the province, also Bodega Salla; You can buy great local products in one of the excellent delicatessens in the city.
Lérida cuisine: The most famous dishes are: snails; rice with rabbit; la coca pallaresa; la cassolada; los panadones y el confitat; meat stews. In Noguera "cassoletes" (a mix of vegetables with meat) is a typical dish. In the Arán valley "la olla aranesa" (a type of casserole) is another typical dish.
Others villages worth a visit in the province of Lleida are Seu dUrgell, Solsones, Vielha, La Pobla de Segur, El Pont de Suert, Caldes de Boí and Espot
Have a look at the holiday homes we have listed in the villages Seu dUrgell and Solsones, they will make from your holiday an even better time!
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