The Romanesque route in the Vall de Boi was discovered in October 1904 by Lluís Domènec i Montaner, an architect known for his works in Catalan Modernism such as the Hospital de Sant Pau and the Palau de la Música Catalana in Barcelona. It was the fruit of territorial struggles between bishops and feudal lords and was largely financed by the spoils of war.
Influenced by European Romanticism, and in search of national roots in the Middle Ages to strengthen the notion of a uniquely Catalan identity, Domenech i Montaner traveled to Vall de Boi with his camera. He documented the forgotten riches of the Pyrenees and described them for the first time in his notes: the Vall de Boi route of the Catalan Romanesque.
The group comprises the churches of Sant Climent and Santa Maria in Taüll, Sant Joan in Boi, Santa Eulàlia in Erill la Vall, Sant Feliu in Barruera, the Nativitat in Durro, Santa Maria in Cardet, the Assumpcio in Coll, and the Sant Quirc hermitage in Durro.
The area is exceptional because it contains a high concentration of churches with the same architectural style in a small area. These churches have been conserved over time due to their inaccessibility, and there have been few alterations to their original construction. As a result, UNESCO declared them a World Heritage Site in 2000.
The buildings were constructed following models from northern Italy, also known as the Lombard Romanesque. This style is characterized by the function of their constructions, the stonework, the shape and height of the bell towers, as well as the external decoration in the cloisters, based on attention-grabbing colorful frescoes.
The route
The Vall de Boi Romanesque route begins at the Romanesque Interpretation Center in Erill la Vall and continues along the whole valley. The tour can be completed in two parts, with a guided tour in the morning and afternoon, or in separate stages based on personal preference and available time. This is an excellent option for days when weather conditions prevent outdoor excursions.
The Romanesque buildings are a must-see, and the total duration of the tour is approximately 6 hours. The Aigüestortes National Park bears witness to the impact of medieval man on its soil and the role of the natural surroundings in preserving a Romanesque past.
It serves as a reminder of a time when injustice was conflated with faith, but also when humans and nature coexisted harmoniously.
