crEasing into Retirement: Andorra in the Pyrenees

Monday, December 2, 2024

Andorra in the Pyrenees

Our morning started when we met our tour bus at 7AM in Barcelona for a 'Three Countries in One Day Tour: Spain, France & Andorra." After many days of walking cobbled streets, a bus tour sounded like a good option. Besides, there were geocaches in Andorra and the possibility of another country in our geocaching souvenirs.

not a lot of snow on these mountains

Pyrenee Mountains and the country of Andorra

Andorra la Vella is the capital city of the small European country. It is the highest European capital at 3,356 ' above sea level. The country has a population of about 79,000 and is known for skiing and banking as it is a tax free country. Tourism is its main industry, bringing about 8 million visitors a year.

Enrique, our tour guide started our walking (what??? more walking!!!) tour in the historic part of the city. Andorra has been recognized as a country since 1278.

Casa de la Vall

Casa de la Vall built in 1508 as an ancestral home and defensive tower for the Busquets family, and was ultimately acquired by the then Consell de la Terra in 1702 to become the permanent headquarters of the Consell General or parliament of Andorra. ~ Visit Andorra

decor on the windows at the lower level

The Casa de la Vall was in use until the year 2011. The same plaza is home to the new Andorran Parliament building with 28 seats representing all Andorran men and women. ~ Visit Andorra

7 Poetes

Jaume Plensa 2013 ode to the 7 parishes of Andorra

At dusk the thinkers in the sculpture come to life, lighting up with thousands of colors and giving you a spectacular tableau of the city centre. ~ Visit Andorra

They are also supposed to be a symbol of peace in the bustling city. They sit in Buddha-like reflection on individual high poles overlooking a busy roundabout and with a view of what feels like the whole of Andorra. ~ Inverted Sheep

the Andorran flag

Andorra is a parliamentary co-principality with the bishop of Urgell (Spain) and the president of France as co-princes. The prime minister is the chief executive. ~ Wikipedia

Our bus group following Enrique through the historic part of the city.

Angel on a Trapeze

The sculpture is a figure of an angel, made of steel plates and cast iron, and placed in a black niche. The angel maneuvers on a circus trapeze, trying to find a balance. Created by Fernando de Blasi in 2009.

Sant Esteve Church is a Romanesque and partially Gothic church built in the 12th century and modified in the 20th century.

part of the 1940 restoration

OFD snuck back for a quick peak inside and a photo.

This cropped photo gives a glimpse of the two Baroque altarpieces from the 12th century and the Two Souls painting from the 18th century.

the rest of Sant Esteve we did not see from our walk on the street

(photo from Visit Andorra)

As we got closer to the city center there were signs of Christmas, modern buildings, and shopping.

flowered bear on skis, metal art work

more metal art work, bicycles

The Nobility of Time

Catalan sculptor, Salvador Dali, cast this bronze statue in 1984. It visited numerous cities before it was donated to Andorra le Velle and found a permanent home in Placa de la Rotunda, where the old city meets the new city.

In addition to the melting clock, the statue features several other figures. The clock is mounted on a mighty tree, whose roots penetrate a platform of brick. This theme of decay and renewal is ever-present in Dalí’s work. An angel sits to one side, lost deep in thought, or perhaps in mourning. On the other side, a woman stands up from a bath, looking brightly ahead to the new day. This juxtaposition of uncertainty and courage gives the sculpture a more palpable meaning. ~ Atlas Obscure