Santuari de Meritxell Canillo

Meritxell captures the history of the Andorran people's devotion to their patron saint: the Virgin of Meritxell. This sense of veneration has been maintained over the centuries, consolidating Meritxell as one of the country's main spiritual and cultural centers.

The former chapel dedicated to Saint Mary, originally Romanesque, underwent a significant transformation during the 17th century, acquiring Baroque elements that enriched its decoration and iconography. For centuries, this temple was a meeting point for pilgrims and worshippers who came to venerate the Virgin Mary every September 8th, the day of Meritxell.

In 1972, a tragic fire completely destroyed the chapel shortly after the festival, leaving a deep mark on the collective memory of the Andorran people. Its renovation was completed in 1994, transforming the space into a center of remembrance and testimony.

Currently, the former chapel houses the permanent exhibition Meritxell Memoria, where objects, images and documents coexist that evoke memories, pilgrimages and ceremonies celebrated over time, thus transmitting a living legacy deeply rooted in the country's history.

The new Sanctuary, built to continue Marian devotion after the fire, is a contemporary temple designed by the Catalan architect Ricard Bofill and inaugurated in 1976. It is a monumental and eclectic work, which seeks a synthesis between architecture and the natural landscape that surrounds it.

Its structure combines elements from different architectural styles: the openings of the spaces are inspired by Islamic art, while the Greek cross floor plan evokes the harmony of the Italian Renaissance. The interplay of light and shadow, along with the materials used, contribute to giving the space an atmosphere of serenity and contemplation.

Inside, you can see a reproduction of the Romanesque carving of the Virgin of Meritxell, an image that symbolizes the continuity of Marian devotion in the Principality.

The sanctuary also hosts the "Bíblies del món" (Bibles of the World) exhibition, a collection that brings together copies in various languages and formats, as well as a display of models of the country's Romanesque churches, allowing visitors to experience the architectural richness of Andorra's heritage firsthand. Meritxell, therefore, is much more than a religious space: it is a place of memory, spirituality, and identity for all Andorrans.

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