What to see in Lleida

talk to you about what to see in Lleida It means going back in time to the Medieval, when the city was reconquered by the troops of Ramon Berenguer IV y Ermengol IV and was granted the Population Charter or Puebla menu, that is, the document that recognized it as a town.

Because some of its main monuments are from that period. However, the history of Lleida begins much earlier. It was already a prominent city in the territory of the ilergetes and, with the Romans, it became a municipality with the name of Ilerda. Next, we are going to show you what to see in Lleida.

The Old Seo and the King-Suda castle

This monumental complex, which is sometimes called Lleida castle, is located on a hill overlooking the city. The Seo or old cathedral Construction began at the beginning of the XNUMXth century, although it was completed two centuries later. It is Romanesque in style, but also has Gothic elements and is the main symbol of the town.

To access it, you have to get to San Martí Street and enter through the lion gate from the walled enclosure or, from the Plaza de San Joan, use the elevator and cross the Portal of Sant Andreu.

It has a basilica plan with a Latin cross and a beautiful cloister. Likewise, inside the sculpture of the ships themselves stands out, which shows Tuscan and Provençal influences. You can also see remains of a mural painting with Gothic features.

In turn, the King-Suda castle, as you may have deduced from its name, is a fortification from the Muslim period, probably built in the XNUMXth century, which served as a refuge for Hisham III, the last caliph of Cordoba. It has been restored and converted into an interpretation center of that time. It also offers you a viewpoint that, at the same time, is the highest point in the city.

The New Cathedral

You also have to see the other or New Cathedral in Lleida, whose construction dates back to the mid-XNUMXth century. Respond to Baroque, although it already presents elements typical of the neoclassicism French cut. Externally, its façade stands out, with a staircase, three semicircular arches closed by iron railings and two side turrets. Furthermore, in its center, there is the shield of the Bourbons because Carlos III paid for part of the work.

As for its interior, it is distributed in three naves, also with semicircular arches. Its spectacular baroque choir was destroyed in the Civil War. But you can see the image of the Virgin of Montserrat, patron saint of Catalonia, made by the sculptor Josep Obiols. Likewise, the Virgin of the Blue.

However, one of its great gems is the chapter file, which houses more than thirteen thousand books, and about sixteen thousand parchments, as well as codices and incunabula. Among its great jewels, the so-called Lleida Bible.

Other temples to see in Lleida

Along with the two cathedrals, there are many churches that you can visit in Lleida. Given the impossibility of mentioning them all, we will tell you about some of the most interesting ones. It is the case of the San Llorenc church, which was built between the XNUMXth and XNUMXth centuries and combines Romanesque and Gothic styles. Precisely to the latter belong the beautiful altarpieces that adorn it along with carvings such as that of the Virgin of Fillols and the Holy Christ Found.

For her part, the little church of San Martí It is a Romanesque jewel that belonged to the General Study of Lleida. He received this name from the first university in Catalonia that he founded. James II in 1300. AND that of San Joan It is in the homonymous square. It was built in the XNUMXth century following the neo-Gothic canons. Don't forget to observe its beautiful stained glass windows, the work of Jaume Bonet.

Different character from the previous ones has the Marian Academy. It is a construction from 1862 that houses an exhibition center on the image of the Virgin Mary given by art and literature. The imposing building stands out for its neoclassical façade adorned with several shields. But even more beautiful is the interior. It has a beautiful Florentine Gothic style oratory and more than three hundred meters of fresco paintings, without forgetting the collection of wrought iron made by Antonio Guerra, described as the best forger of the XNUMXth century.

Gardeny's Castle

It is located on the hill of the same name and was built by the Order of the Temple in the second half of the XNUMXth century. In reality, following the rules of this order of monks and soldiers, it was a defensive fortification, but also a convent. Already in the XNUMXth and XNUMXth centuries it was expanded with thicker walls flanked by bastions and other elements.

However, buildings from their original construction can still be seen, such as the room tower and St. Mary's Gardeny Church. The castle is currently the Interpretation Center of the Order of the Temple and, together with those of Montsó, Peñíscola, Miravet and the city of Tortosa, it forms the Domus Templi route. This is a tour of the main vestiges of this order in the Spanish Levant.

The Paeria palace and the old Hospital of Santa María

We group these two civil monuments because they both have Gothic features, although it is true that each one has its own unique characteristics. The palace is the current headquarters of the Town Hall and should appear on any route dedicated to what to see in Lleida. Paería derived from the Latin term paciario, which means "peaceful" and refers to a privilege granted to the city by the king James I.

Architecturally, it was built at the end of the XNUMXth century and responds to the Romanesque, although it already incorporates many elements of the Catalan Gothic. In addition, it has a second façade that was renovated at the beginning of the XNUMXth century, giving it a neo-medieval appearance. On the other hand, in the Noble Room there is a wonderful gothic altarpiece. And more treasures await you in the Municipal file. It has a spectacular baroque wardrobe, but, above all, it keeps the Puebla menu, which we have mentioned before and which dates back to the year 1150, as well as the Book of Uses, dated to the XNUMXth century.

In turn, the former Saint Mary's Hospital it is a construction gothic-plateresque from the XNUMXth century. You will find it in front of the New Cathedral and, among its notable elements, you should pay attention to the coat of arms on its façade and the magnificent staircase in its patio, which leads to a gallery of pointed arches. But, above all, in the beautiful baroque altarpiece made by Hostolester in 1738. Today it is the headquarters of the Institute of Ilerdense Studies and also hosts exhibitions.

The modernist houses

Another of the large civil monumental complexes to see in Lleida is the one made up of its modernist buildings. Among them stands out the Magí Llorens house, which was built in 1907 by the architect Francisco Lamolla and that will catch your attention for its balconies and the glass gallery in one of its corners. Likewise, it is very beautiful Melcior house, work of Francisco de Paula Morera, in which its stone stuccoing, the wrought ironwork of its balconies and some stained glass windows stand out.

More striking is the Baró house or La Vinícola for its cream-colored façade adorned with rhombuses. It owes its name to the fact that it was built in 1921 with the architect's plans. Joan Baro and to La Vinícola, a business that was on the ground floor. For its part, the Morera house It is also called the Lyre because of the decoration of its façade, which recalls the shapes of this musical instrument. And other modernist houses are the Balasch, the Bergós and the Xam-mar.

However, the best example of modernist architecture to see in Lleida is the Matadero Municipal Theater. It was also the work of the aforementioned Francisco de Paula Morera. It has been restored and currently hosts not only theatrical performances, but also social activities.

La Cuirassa or Jewish quarter

The Jewish community of Lleida was one of the most relevant in the Crown of Aragon. You will get an idea of ​​his importance from the fact that he received royal privileges and even had his own medical school. However, there were almost no remains of her in the city.

Now, after painstaking archaeological work, a good part of the neighborhood, known for the Cuirassa. Several streets, parchment makers' workshops and even a stately construction have been found: the Pogrom house. Likewise, numerous objects from the medieval period have been found here.

The museums to see in Lleida

Finally, we will talk to you about the museums that the Catalan city has. The most important is the Lleida Museum, which has more than seven thousand square meters. It houses an important collection of sacred art, but also a rich archaeological heritage. Among its jewels, the collection of coins and objects from the Cathedral Treasury stand out.

Also interesting is the Museo de Arte Moderno y Contemporaneo, created thanks to donations from the painter Jaume morera. But you will find the more curious House of the Giants and Water and Automotive Museums. In the first of them, as its name indicates, you can see a large group of giants and big heads. The Water section deals with the city's extensive connection with this element, since it was born on the banks of the Segre River. And, as for Automotive, it offers you a wide sample of vintage cars and motorcycles, each one more beautiful. You will find it on Santa Cecilia Street.

In conclusion, we have shown you the main what to see in Lleida. As you have seen, if you travel to the Catalan city, you have a lot to discover. But, in addition, we advise you to visit some towns in the province such as Bagerge o Pujalt, also very pretty. Come and discover this area of Catalonia.