Romanesque churches, one of the country's architectural treasures

Andorra's architectural heritage dates back over 1,000 years! The wealth of Romanesque architecture lurks in every corner of the Principality, particularly in its ancient monuments: the churches. There are no fewer than 40 Romanesque churches worth a look.

One of the most outstanding churches is that of Santa Coloma in Andorra la Vella. Dating from the 10th century A.D., it still retains its original bell tower. Another impressive example is the church of Sant Miquel d'Engolasters in Escaldes-Engordany, with its bell tower over 17 metres high. The Baroque altarpieces (behind the altar) in Sant Climent de Pal are also magnificent, as are the murals in the chapel of Sant Martí de la Cortinada in Ordino.

The church of Sant Joan de Caselles

A little to the north of the picturesque village of Canillo lies the chapel of Sant Joan de Caselles. Considered one of the most beautiful Romanesque churches in the country, this splendid old stone building dates back to the 11th century and contains many interesting features.

Its refined interior is notable for its frescoes, rectangular wooden nave and altarpiece depicting Saint John and the Apocalypse, dating from 1525. This Catholic church also preserves a Romanesque stucco figure of Christ on the Cross and its polychrome painting.

The church of Santa Coloma

On the main road from Andorra to Spain, in the small village of Santa Coloma, you'll find one of the country's most beautiful Romanesque places of worship. Santa Coloma, the oldest church, is distinguished by its large, rounded, three-storey tower - very different from the square design.

This old stone structure dates back to the 9th century and contains a highly venerated 12th-century statue of the Virgin of Coloma and Mozarabic frescoes on its vaulted entrance.

The church of Sant Serni de Canillo

Built between 1758 and 1768, the church still preserves vestiges of its earlier Romanesque construction, such as the baptistery and the walls. It stands out for its central nave and its bell tower, which is considered to be the highest in Andorra.

Inside, a Gothic crucifix on polychrome wood dating from the late 14th century and an altarpiece dedicated to Sant Cerni can be seen. Outside, at the entrance to the church, there is a baptismal font that has been converted into a fountain.

In 2009, during renovation work, archaeological remains were discovered in the basement of the nave.

The church of Sant Estève

The church of Sant Estève is located on Princept Benlloch Square in the capital Andorra la Vella and dates back to the 12th century. Inside is a polychrome wooden beam from the 12th century and two multicoloured wooden altarpieces from the Baroque period.

From the outside, the original Romanesque decoration of the apse is sublime. The building was renovated in 1940 by the architect Josep Puig i Cadafalch, who changed the bell tower and the side entrance.

The church of Sant Martí de la Cortinada

The church of Sant Martí de la Cortinada is located in the village of La Cortinada, in the parish of Ordino. This Romanesque building dates back to the 12th century and underwent several expansions during the 17th and 18th centuries. During the Baroque period, the church was extended, changing the orientation of the nave and adding a new altar.

The church of Sant Miquel d'Engolasters

Of Romanesque origin, the church of Engolasters was built before the 12th century. Its distinctive feature is a rectangular floor plan with a single nave and a semicircular apse. The church is characterised by the great disproportion between the nave and the 17-metre-high bell tower.