The Meritxell Sanctuary Basilica (Principality of Andorra) скачать в хорошем качестве

The Meritxell Sanctuary Basilica (Principality of Andorra)

The Meritxell Sanctuary Basilica is the most important religious temple in Andorra. But in addition to its spiritual importance, this place of worship in the parish of Canillo offers other reasons for your visit, mainly from an artistic and landscape point of view. The festivity of Nostra Senyora de Meritxell, patron saint of the Valleys of Andorra is celebrated on September 8, the feast of the virgins found in the Catalan Countries. This religious complex in Andorra is a place full of symbolism for the inhabitants of the Principality. In fact, it houses the image of the Virgin of Meritxell, patron saint of the country. It is a polychrome carving reminiscent of the original Romanesque one, destroyed in the fire of 1972. In addition, the Meritxell Sanctuary Basilica houses other carvings of Andorran saints, patron saints of the rest of the country's parishes: Sant Serni de Canillo, Santa Eulalia de Encamp, Sant Corneli de Ordino, Sant Iscle de La Massana, Sant Esteve de Andorra la Vella, Sant Pere Màrtir de Escaldes-Engordany, and Sant Julià and Sant Germà de Sant Julià de Sant Julià de Lòria. All of them are works by the Andorran sculptor Sergi Mas. This importance has earned the temple the title of Minor Basilica, granted by Pope Francis in 2014, thus becoming the only place of worship with this distinction in the Principality. Since then, Meritxell has been part of the so-called Marian Route, which runs through four other important sanctuaries in Spain and France: El Pilar, Montserrat, Torreciudad and Lourdes. For this reason, this temple has also become a pole of attraction for visitors moved by faith and spirituality. As has been said, the Meritxell sanctuary suffered a terrible fire on September 8, 1972. In addition to the destruction of the carving and other valuables deposited inside, the sanctuary was practically destroyed. Almost nothing remains of the original temple, but instead we can now admire one of the most interesting works by the prestigious Spanish architect Ricardo Bofill. The result is, in his words, a "recreation of the Romanesque", a style that was at the origins of this church and that left a great mark on the Principality. The old sanctuary was rehabilitated, giving rise to the exhibition hall: Meritxell Memoria. In it, the entire history and cult of Meritxell, our patron saint, is permanently exposed. The final result is a work of very personal style. In it, the open cloister stands out, characterized by its exposed arcades, and the room of miracles. The use of slate connects the new Basilica with the environment and with the Andorran tradition. Ricardo Bofill also wanted to provide a note of contrast in bright white, which symbolizes the snow, common in this place during the winter. The use of this color combination is also reminiscent of the architecture of the Italian Renaissance. In the construction of the large bell tower and the tower, as well as in the construction of the attached cloister covered with ribs, we can see that Ricardo Bofill was inspired by the Catalan Romanesque. Another of the peculiarities of this sanctuary is that it has large openings that allow a large amount of light to enter its interior, and a water fountain located in the center of the cloister; both characteristics allow to recognize the Islamic art in the construction. Another of the charms of the Meritxell Sanctuary Basilica is its privileged location within a closed valley in the parish of Canillo. Pure white in winter and intense green the rest of the year, the location of this temple contributes to give solemnity and peace to the architectural complex. Likewise, despite all its exterior splendor, it should be noted that its interior is totally austere, without any type of ornament or adornment, beyond the stained glass window of the church, where we discover the meaning of the name of Meritxell.