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WHERE IS ANDORRA?

Andorra La Vella is the capital in european higher, located in the pyrenees between France and Spain to 1023 meters of height.

The same distance in 2 hours and a half from Barcelona, Spain and Toulouse, France.

The official language is Catalan, although there is much talk in Spanish and French.

INDEX:

ANDORRA, HER STORY:

OLD AGE:

The first mention of the territory that would become Andorra dating back to the the third century BC when the roman historian Polybius it narrates the passage of Anibal Barca by the Pyrenees and realize that there was a town in the mountains called “Andosinos”.
The territory was incorporated later the Roman Empire as part of the province Hispania Tarraconensecreated on 27. C. and belonged also to the visigothic kingdom.

MIDDLE AGE:

After the muslim conquest, the valleys of andorra were part of the Top Mark of Al-Andalus. This territory was the scene of the struggle between the swiss and andalusian until Charles Martel slowed its progress in the battle of Poitiers in 732. And already with the invasion of Charlemagne, is given the traditional date of the independence of Andorra (year 788).

In the year 839appointed for the first time the parishes of Andorra as fiefs of the Count of Urgell. From century IX, the bishops of Urgell gained more and more land of Andorra. In 1133, the count Armengol VI of Urgel ceded its assets and rights in the valleys of Andorra with the bishop of Urgell and the territory became a “glory church”.

In the XI centurythe bishop was placed under the protection of the lord of Caboet and later, the count of Foix became heir to the lordship of Caboet and then there was a sharp dispute between the French count and the bishop Catalan on Andorra.

In the THIRTEENTH century the religious authorities of Urgell came into conflict with the County of Foix on the sovereignty of Andorra. In the year 1278, the conflict was resolved by an agreement between the conde French of Foix, Roger Bernard III and the bishop of la Seu d'urgell Pere d'urgell, called “Pareatge” sharing the power of Andorra as a coprincipado. This agreement gave the small principality its territory and the current form of government. The current Parliament, called the General Council (in Catalan, Consell General), was formed in 1419with the creation of what was then called the Consell de la Terra.

MODERN AGE

At the beginning of the SEVENTEENTH century, Andorra remained neutral in the war of the Spanish succession. 

In 1789the outbreak of the French Revolution put Andorra between two powers competing, France and Spain. The French revolutionaries refused to keep the paréatge by their feudal origin and was interrupted by suspending relations with France. In 1794in the middle of the war with Spain, a detachment of French attempted to occupy the Seu de Urgell. Finally, in 1806, Napoleon re-established the feudal tradition, and the rights of coseñorío of France on the Principality of Andorra.

CONTEMPORARY:

Between 1812 and 1814, when the French Empire annexed Catalonia and divided it in four departments (Segre, Ter, Montserrat, and the Mouths of the river Ebro), Andorra formed part of the district of Puigcerdáwithin the department of the Segre. 

During the carlist wars occurred throughout the NINETEENTH century in Spain, Andorra served as a haven for liberals, as for the carlists.

In 1866, a noble and wealthy owner of andorra, Guillem d Areny-Plandolitled a reform in the institutions of government, the Nova Reform. This reform of the institutions are granted a limited participation of the heads of family in the government of the country. The General Council is composed, from then on, 24 directors elected by the trustees. The reform was accepted by the bishop of Urgel, and in 1869 by the coprince French Napoleon III.

At the end of the NINETEENTH century and principles of the XXeconomic hardship forced many andorrans to emigrate.

While in 1933 France occupied Andorra as a concern that he had among the people before the elections. This concern had to do with a popular movement that wanted to extend the concession election. July 12 1934 in Urgell, Boris Skossyreff was appointed Boris I, Prince Independent of Andorraand at the same time declared war on the bishop of Urgell. On 20 July, the Spanish authorities arrested and expelled from Spain. Between 1936 and 1940 installed a detachment French to prevent influences of the Spanish Civil War and the Franco dictatorship.

And finally, from the 14th of march 1993 Andorra governed as an independent State with its own Constitution. Currently, Andorra is politically linked with the European Union without being a member of the same, and the euro is used as currency.

SITES TO VISIT / WHAT TO SEE IN ANDORRA

Click on the names of the places to see their location on Google Maps.

If you walk from the bus station will be of the first things that you'll see. Andorra't get with this river and the bridge that crosses it with the sign that says “Andorra La Vella”. Is a perfect post for your first photo. In addition, all decorated for the christmas and new year as I got to see I it is beautiful! You will see also a-tree christmas very large near there.

It is the largest church that we saw in Andorra La Vella. It has a medieval style very nice inside and we were not able to see it because it was closed. It seems that you do not have it open to the public throughout the day. Is one of the few ancient buildings that can be seen in the city.

It is one of the oldest parts of the city and iconic as it was used from the SIXTEENTH century up to the year 2011 by the government of Andorra. There you'll see the monument in commemoration of the Pareatge and there is a sun terrace giant from which you get very nice views of the city. The current headquarters of the government is located on a different modern building today.

I was surprised at how modern that is. Instead of going to a medieval city, Andorra is absolutely the opposite. Although the street is called Carlemany (Charlemagne), has nothing to do with medieval buildings of the time of the French emperor. Of course that is super cute, and being a pedestrian and to be quite long street makes the experience of walking the center to be very pleasant. Surprisingly a part of this street changes its name to the Meritxell. And of course, the surrounding streets are also part of the centre of Andorra. You'll find everything you need in this area.

Struggled to identify you as Andorra is seen as a city that has evolved in time and has not kept many of the ancient buildings that possibly could have. I could not identify an area of a few blocks or several ancient buildings together as to say “it is here”. The city is small and the development has impacted in its entirety. You'll see some other historic place but honestly nothing very remarkable to what we are accustomed to european cities. Andorra poses another situation, you may like it or hate it, but without a doubt it has personality.

Something more beautiful for rescue is that the city is a valley surrounded by the pyrenees. Also the cross rivers, which makes it super interesting. You can walk a little bit and immediately find yourself walking through the mountains and its rivers, from any place of the city. As well as find viewpoints very spectacular to take the best photos and videos. Don't be short of places to go for a walk!

TOUR RECOMMENDED

To tour the city of Andorra La Vella, it does not take much time. Assuming that you've arrived by bus, arrancarás your tour by bus station to Andorra. I have to say that if you choose the schedule of the bus as you tell in the section “HOW to GO FROM BARCELONA TO ANDORRA” 'll be plenty of time to be able to walk across the city and enjoy each one of their places for a considerable time. This also taking into account the walks of the slopes of the mountains also you can make. You do not need more than 1 day to Andorra La Vella, but if obviously to see the rest of Andorra, where it stands out especially in winter, by the centers of skis and all kind of events and sports in the snow.

FREE WALKING TOURS RECOMMENDED:

WHERE TO STAY IN ANDORRA?

If you're like me and you want to avoid a lot of expenses, it is best to go to and fro in the day. In case you want to get a couple of days (I'm not going to lie on this blog ever), the truth is that I have not and neither I researched about the best options. But I will update the information as soon as possible.

TOMI TIPS

I highlight some of the things that I said before in this blog and also tips to keep in mind. 

-The city is very small, it is all walkable and you'll be plenty of time to do see and do almost everything in 1 full day. 

-Buy the bus in the Alsa back and forth is quite affordable. Take the food in a tupperware and sit down to eat something in some other place, will save you a lot of money and you have a fine experience complete.

-I was the December 30, 2022, and there was NO snow in any part of the city. This does not mean that if you have in other parts of the country. Nor was the cold that one can expect to be in a place that stands out in the snow. I always talk about the city, not the country. 

-If you're going with the idea of meeting with Andorra medieval with little old houses and narrow streets, you will receive a big disappointment. Andorra La Vella is a city moderna, very beautiful due to its natural environment located in a valley between the Pyrenees but at least I saw a very tiny little bit of medieval buildings. The historical part is not his strong point if we compare with other cities of countries like France or Spain.   

HOW TO GET FROM BARCELONA TO ANDORRA MODE (LOW COST)

Good bus company, long-distance Alsa turned out to be the best option. Since only 33 € it is possible to make the round trip from Barcelona to Andorra. In my case I did the 30 December 2022, next to my friend Santi. We leave 7 am from Estacio Del Nord and arrive 10.15 to the bus station to Andorra La Vella. We came back at 19.15 and we 22.30 Barcelona. So you can go and back in the day, as we did, without the need to spend on hosting. Of course, if you want to enjoy all that the country of Andorra has to offer you will want to stay more time. What is certain is that in order to see its capital city is more than enough for one day. 

GASTRONOMY MODE (LOW COST)

As the first stage of my travels in Europe, I did so a low cost; unfortunately I don't have a lot of experience to share with you. But the reality is that in spite of being carried lunch in a tupperware box (because we left at 7am and returned at 19.15) I have to say that I stopped by Burger King restaurant, 2 bars and cafes. I had my first time reloading the glass unlimited in Burger King with the soda that you wanted (I never had happened in my country). We take beer-Spanish (“reeds”), as always accompanied by chips (which come free), and some other sanguchito that they call “snack”. Coffee and croissant typical in all parts of Europe could not miss. The prices I remember that I seemed to be expensive, but these meals in general, tend to be economic.