Best Romanesque churches to visit in Aran Valley (Catalonia)

If you don't know them yet, you've probably heard of them. Romanesque churches of the Boi Valley across Pyrenees of Catalonia, among which Sant Climent de Taüll It is the most famous and well-known jewel.

But I will tell you that in the near Valle de Aran el Romanesque art has also left important traces that are well worth discovering in a route by car through that area of ​​the Pyrenees in the Lleida province.

El Valle de Aran is well known for its great mountain landscapes, its famous Baqueira Beret ski resort and also for their pretty towns with a very homogeneous country architecture.

But do you know that in the Valle de Aran There are up to 33 small churches, many of them outstanding examples of the Romanesque art?

In my most recent trip through the Pyrenees of Catalonia, in the Valle de Aran I have had the opportunity to discover some of the most outstanding jewels of its Romanesque.

Romanesque churches to see and visit in the Aran Valley

Compared to the style of Lombard Romanesque that characterizes the churches of the Boi Valley, in the Valle de Aran The Romanesque developed from the 11th century, but especially during the 12th and 13th centuries, already with a late architectural style.

A characteristic of Romanesque in the Aran Valley is that in addition to architectural samples, you find examples of paintings and sculptures, both in stone and wood.

So you can still see mural paintings in some of the churches, both Romanesque, Gothic and Renaissance, and there remain precious examples of wooden sculptures.

The Romanesque churches of the Aran Valley In their construction they combine stone, wood and slate on the roofs.

There are three churches that are worth visiting during your route through the Aran Valley.

San Andrés de Salardú, Romanesque church in Valle de Arán

Without a doubt, one of the most majestic that you can see in the Valle de Aran, church of San Andrés de Salardú It has an architectural style of transition from Romanesque to Gothic.

Externally, its enormous octagonal bell tower and its beautiful doorway with sculpted archivolts stand out.

Inside you will find a ship Gothic style.

But above all, the mural paintings from the 17th century Renaissance style that cover the ceiling in the transept and in the apses.

Another very notable element in this church is the wood carving of the Christ of Salardú from the 12th century, one of the sculptural masterpieces what you can in the Valle de Aran.

San Miguel de Vielha, Romanesque church in Valle de Arán

In the center of Vielha, capital of the Aran Valley, you find the church of san miguel.

Its construction began in the 12th century, it is also a building of transition from Romanesque to Gothic.

In later centuries it had extensions, such as the 16th century bell tower, or the 18th century transept and lantern dome.

On your visit to this entrance church you should pay attention to the beautiful and artistic façade, which the Gothic style.

In its archivolts, up to 52 figures are represented, including angels, saints, musicians and apostles.

Without a doubt, its most outstanding element in the interior is the wood carving of the Christ of Mijaran, from the 12th century, a piece that was part of a Descent.

El church altarpiece, Gothic style, is from the 15th century and shows scenes from the life of Santa Maria y San Miguel.

Santa María de Arties, Romanesque church in Valle de Arán

Another outstanding churches of the Aran Valley es Saint Mary of Arties, also from Romanesque architectural style.

Inside, which I was not able to visit, is precisely where the most striking thing is found, a set of 14th century Renaissance style wall paintings.

You will also notice his altarpiece of high altar, which has paintings of Gothic style.

For a future trip to Valle de Aran I have yet to visit said interior, as well as other notable churches.

For example, Era Mair of Diu dera Purificacion en bossost, one of the best exponents of the Aranese Romanesque architecture: Saint Eulalia of Unha, which preserves Romanesque paintings.

Finally, for your trip to watch the Romanesque in the Aran Valley, access to booking.com for search hotels in Vielha and its surroundings.

Photos Romanesque churches of the Aran Valley

Here you have more photos of the churches of Salardú, Vielha and Arties, in the Valle de Aran.