Meritxell 'Pheonix' Sanctuary Must See Andorra Sites скачать в хорошем качестве

Meritxell 'Pheonix' Sanctuary Must See Andorra Sites

We have lived in Andorra for a few years and this is the first time we've visited Meritxell. I was on two minds, but Esther wanted to go, so we took a trip just before we went to Spain. As you can see from the video, it's late autumn, the leaves are falling, it's still beautiful weather, and it made for some great shots of the buildings and the wonderful village. I even had a chance to chat to the curator... Excuse my awful translations in the video. I did my best. If you're in Canillo, it's worth a visit. It's only 15 minutes drive from Andorra la Vella. It's home to the Sanctuary Basilica of Our Lady of Meritxell, the most important religious temple in Andorra, and the Iglesia Románica de Santa María (the smaller church in our video). Back in 1972, it suffered a huge fire that wiped out the original sanctuary, including its precious statue and artifacts. But from that ashes, something incredible was reborn, thanks to the vision of Spanish architect Ricardo Bofill. What we have now is not just a rebuild but a "recreation of the Romanesque" style, as Bofill himself put it. It's a nod to the old church's style, which had a big impact on Andorra. Now, the former sanctuary has been transformed into Meritxell Memoria, an exhibition hall where you can dive deep into the history and devotion to Meritxell, Andorra's patron saint. Bofill's touch is unmistakable - in the video you'll see an open cloister with airy archways and a "miracle room", all made from slate to blend seamlessly with the local environment. And for a bit of contrast, there's this bright white that reminds you of the snow in winter, kind of like those gorgeous Italian Renaissance structures. One of my first thoughts on seeing this was, "Wow, I wonder what this would look like when it's full of snow in the winter?" You'll see what I mean when you watch the video. You'll also spot the influence of Catalan Romanesque in the grand bell tower and the cloister with its ribbed vaults. And here's something cool - the sanctuary has these huge windows that flood the place with light, plus a central fountain in the cloister, giving off vibes of Islamic art. When I was chatting to the curator, this is one of the features he was most animated about. But here's the twist - inside, it's all about simplicity. No fancy decor, just a beautiful stained glass window that tells the story of Meritxell's name. And let's not forget the setting - this sanctuary sits in a picturesque valley in Canillo, turning from pure white in winter to a vibrant green in the summer, hopefully set against a pure blue sky, making every visit feel serene and special. So, if you're in the area or planning a trip, make sure to stop by the Sanctuary of Meritxell. It's not just a place; it's an experience you won't forget. Check out the video to see more of what makes this spot so unique! Hope you enjoy.