Santa Coloma Church
Santa Coloma Church
4.5
About
Open from 15 July to 15 September. [ING]This pre-Romanesque building houses a rectangular nave with a woodenframed ceiling and a quadrangular apse. The circular Lombard belfry wasadded in the 12th century and is one of the few examples of its kind in the Pyrenees.The building was decorated with 12th-century Romanesque mural paintings by the master painter of Santa Coloma. These paintings left the country in 1930,and were recovered by the Andorran Government in 2007.At present, only the Agnus Dei flanked by two angels and the geometricdecoration framing the overhanging arch remain in the church. The church preserves a polychrome wood statue of Our Lady of the Remedies (12th to 13th centuries) and a Baroque altarpiece (18th-century) dedicated to Saint Coloma, the church's patron saint.The church's location means visitors can enjoy Santa Coloma old town with its traditional buildings, as well as Els Russos tower, designed by Cesar Martinell, of modernist style an example of Andorra's granite architecture.
Duration: < 1 hour
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4.5
129 reviews
Excellent
74
Very good
40
Average
13
Poor
1
Terrible
1
Carlo PM
London, UK495 contributions
Feb 2019 • Solo
I came over here knowing how peculiar this church is mainly for the Tower, and I found out a lot more about this hidden gem. I have attended a free guided tour in Catalan (they provide also in French and most likely Spanish) which covered up a lot of interesting anecdotes about te building and its history. I was very impressed by the lighting installation, they reproduced missing frescos with projections but not in a banal way, it was a proper lightning and music design which I highly appreciated. I cannot even believe this is all free!
Written 2 February 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
londonnewbride2016
London, UK56 contributions
Mar 2023 • Solo
This is a marvellous old church. Call in the museum and learn about the paintings from the super ladies who are so knowledgable. Then be accompanied over to the church for the fantastic video show inside. A real experience.
Written 28 March 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
thor2705
Ottawa, Canada2,187 contributions
Mar 2016 • Solo
Built in 8th century it is the oldest church in Andorra. The trip from the Valle it is quite a treck, but its worth it. The church is stone and is nice with great views of the mountain.
Written 7 November 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Roberto d
Brier, WA182 contributions
I meandered to the entrance while friends were having a beer at a near-by bar when Antonio asked if I was interested in a tour. I said yes and he informed me that the next English lang. tour would start in 20 min. I gathered the others and we were treated to an exceptional education about Andorra's government and culture. Well worth it!
Written 1 October 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
iowaaggie
Alaska475 contributions
July 2014 • Solo
I recommend that you get at least a few pictures of the Santa Coloma Church. This church has received the most comments because of it's beauty and the back-drop views.
Written 19 August 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
R_TheReader
Rio de Janeiro, RJ504 contributions
July 2014 • Family
Santa Coloma is located close to the Valira river, in a small town of the Andorra la Vella parish. The old, stone-built church, is very small, but is beautifully preserved. The surrounding grounds are well kept, and allows you to take pictures from many angles. The bell tower is of course the main attraction, as it stands alone in constrast with the valley where it is located and the high hills in the background.
Do not leave Andorra without going there - even if you have just a couple of mi8nutes to spare.
Do not leave Andorra without going there - even if you have just a couple of mi8nutes to spare.
Written 17 July 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Luv2Travel7723
Woodstock, IL812 contributions
Mar 2014 • Business
Stopped in Andorra when on a tour that originated from Barcelona. Took time to look at this beautiful church. The surrounding grounds and stonework are amazing. Something this old is always incredible to see. The little town of Andorra itself is full of shops and it even has an outlet mall, which brings lots of people because it's tax-free.
Written 30 May 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Robby_Cristian
Calgary, Canada2,181 contributions
Aug 2013 • Couples
Santa Coloma will capture your attention immediately. It is a unique piece of architecture that stood the test of time. They say it was built in the 9th-12th century.
What makes this house of God so special is its Lombard Romanesque bell tower that has the particularity of being round. There are vestiges of polychromy and a sculpted human face under the eaves of its roof. The interior is as simple as a a church should be. I highly recommend visiting Santa Coloma church, while you are in Andorra la Vella.
What makes this house of God so special is its Lombard Romanesque bell tower that has the particularity of being round. There are vestiges of polychromy and a sculpted human face under the eaves of its roof. The interior is as simple as a a church should be. I highly recommend visiting Santa Coloma church, while you are in Andorra la Vella.
Written 19 October 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
JoseRichard
Calgary, Canada32 contributions
Dec 2012 • Couples
Santa Coloma Church a pre-Romanesque style with a 12th century circular bell tower was built in the 9th and 10th centuries. It is one of the oldest in the country. The Church of Santa Coloma is in the village of the same name, in the parish of Andorra la Vella.
Andorra la Vella is the capital of Principality of Andorra, and is located high in the east Pyrenees mountains between France and Spain. It is also the name of the parish that surrounds the capital. It is the highest capital city in Europe at an elevation of 1,023 meters (3,356 ft). It is also a popular ski resort.
The city has a population of 22,256 in 2011 census. The urban area which includes Escaldes-Engordany plus satellite villages, has over 40,000 inhabitants.
The principal industry is tourism, though the country also earns foreign income from being a tax haven. Furniture manufacturing and brandies are local products.
Andorra la Vella is the capital of Principality of Andorra, and is located high in the east Pyrenees mountains between France and Spain. It is also the name of the parish that surrounds the capital. It is the highest capital city in Europe at an elevation of 1,023 meters (3,356 ft). It is also a popular ski resort.
The city has a population of 22,256 in 2011 census. The urban area which includes Escaldes-Engordany plus satellite villages, has over 40,000 inhabitants.
The principal industry is tourism, though the country also earns foreign income from being a tax haven. Furniture manufacturing and brandies are local products.
Written 16 September 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
TravelerZrenjanin
Dorcol, Serbia273 contributions
May 2012 • Friends
ANDORRA
TWO SHRINE, ONE BRIDGE AND TROUT FROM ENGOLASTERS LAKE
By Zoran Slavic
Yesterday we visited the Shrine of the Virgin of Meritxell in the village Canilo. It was an unusual religious object. Specifically, in the parish Cannulae are the remains of the famous Andorra shrines Meritxell (first record from 1172, the year), the most important symbols of the local religion. The Blessed Virgin Meritxell 1878th the was declared for the protector of the Principality. Unfortunately, I was a national holiday in Andorra, 8 September 1972nd, ancient temple destroyed by the fire. By damaged shrines built a new building, in a very bold architectural form that they have enough association with the Romanesque sacral art. This ultra-modern realization of the famous Spanish architect Ricardo Bifilar the still divides opinion and religious feelings of the population of Andorra, as well as local historians, the clergy and artists.
Today I'm going to explore the shrine. After a relatively short drive on the right track, which get in the way many curves, from the capital, Andorra la Vella, we arrive in the valley, which houses the ancient and famous church of Santa Coloma de Andorra. It is situated in a picturesque valley through which flows the river Valira. May is the month, but on the surrounding peaks seen more snow. We stand in front of the church, the altitude is about 1,000 feet, while all the surrounding peaks over 2000 meters. Their names are Aixà s, Bixessarri and Canòlic.
While we are looking for a guide, who will give us important information about the church, which is under protection of UNESCO, we are a bit confused its unusual overall dimensions of the building: an almost cylindrical tower is leaning on the oblong stone, covered with a wooden roof. Since getting hold very long, resolve to visit La Margineda, the same village located in the parish of Andorra la Vella. There is a stone bridge. It is noted for its 12th-century Romanesque bridge, Pont de la Margineda breakfast is the best-preserved and largest such bridge in Andorra. Rises much higher than the current water level Valira demands, but that's probably prepared for during the flood. Look around him, but no one from the company dares to cross him. High above the river and ancient works too! Guide, which has yet arrived, communicated that It is the largest and most graceful of all medieval bridges in the Principality. It extends over 33 meters long and its maximum height of 9.20 meters. The bridge, which reminds somewhat on the donkey, is paved throughout the structure, like the rest of the way.
Then, from Sant Julia de Loria we return to Santa Coloma, that we finally learn the story of the sights. Mr. Miguel tells us that there is still before - Romanesque building, with a rectangular nave, surmounted by a wooden frame, with a quadrangular Apse. In the twelfth century, the church was given a circular Lombard bell tower, Which is one of the only examples of its kind in the Pyrenees. While a lot of walks in the dark interior of the church, the guide completes the explanation: The building was decorated with 12th-century Romanesque mural paintings by the master painter of Santa Coloma. These paintings left the country in 1930 and were recovered by the Andorran Government in 2007. The church preserves a polychrome wooden statue of Our Lady of the Remedies (12th to 13th centuries) and a Baroque altarpiece (18th century) dedicated to Saint Coloma, the church's patron saint. I admit, I was a lot like the statue of the ancient sculptures of South American Nations Maya and Aztecs.
Follow by the return of Andorra la Vella. We had lunch at the restaurant "Don Denis" that relies on local, Catalan, kitchen. Interesting and impressiveness this locally given countless dry ham hanging from the ceiling and create a challenging gourmet experience. We had the impression that the great ham falling from the sky. We have a meal, of course, started the Iberian ham as the main course, we enjoyed the grilled trout. The owner informed us that these were fresh trout caught last night in Engolasters Lake. Do I need to say that I have ham and trout were exceptional!
TWO SHRINE, ONE BRIDGE AND TROUT FROM ENGOLASTERS LAKE
By Zoran Slavic
Yesterday we visited the Shrine of the Virgin of Meritxell in the village Canilo. It was an unusual religious object. Specifically, in the parish Cannulae are the remains of the famous Andorra shrines Meritxell (first record from 1172, the year), the most important symbols of the local religion. The Blessed Virgin Meritxell 1878th the was declared for the protector of the Principality. Unfortunately, I was a national holiday in Andorra, 8 September 1972nd, ancient temple destroyed by the fire. By damaged shrines built a new building, in a very bold architectural form that they have enough association with the Romanesque sacral art. This ultra-modern realization of the famous Spanish architect Ricardo Bifilar the still divides opinion and religious feelings of the population of Andorra, as well as local historians, the clergy and artists.
Today I'm going to explore the shrine. After a relatively short drive on the right track, which get in the way many curves, from the capital, Andorra la Vella, we arrive in the valley, which houses the ancient and famous church of Santa Coloma de Andorra. It is situated in a picturesque valley through which flows the river Valira. May is the month, but on the surrounding peaks seen more snow. We stand in front of the church, the altitude is about 1,000 feet, while all the surrounding peaks over 2000 meters. Their names are Aixà s, Bixessarri and Canòlic.
While we are looking for a guide, who will give us important information about the church, which is under protection of UNESCO, we are a bit confused its unusual overall dimensions of the building: an almost cylindrical tower is leaning on the oblong stone, covered with a wooden roof. Since getting hold very long, resolve to visit La Margineda, the same village located in the parish of Andorra la Vella. There is a stone bridge. It is noted for its 12th-century Romanesque bridge, Pont de la Margineda breakfast is the best-preserved and largest such bridge in Andorra. Rises much higher than the current water level Valira demands, but that's probably prepared for during the flood. Look around him, but no one from the company dares to cross him. High above the river and ancient works too! Guide, which has yet arrived, communicated that It is the largest and most graceful of all medieval bridges in the Principality. It extends over 33 meters long and its maximum height of 9.20 meters. The bridge, which reminds somewhat on the donkey, is paved throughout the structure, like the rest of the way.
Then, from Sant Julia de Loria we return to Santa Coloma, that we finally learn the story of the sights. Mr. Miguel tells us that there is still before - Romanesque building, with a rectangular nave, surmounted by a wooden frame, with a quadrangular Apse. In the twelfth century, the church was given a circular Lombard bell tower, Which is one of the only examples of its kind in the Pyrenees. While a lot of walks in the dark interior of the church, the guide completes the explanation: The building was decorated with 12th-century Romanesque mural paintings by the master painter of Santa Coloma. These paintings left the country in 1930 and were recovered by the Andorran Government in 2007. The church preserves a polychrome wooden statue of Our Lady of the Remedies (12th to 13th centuries) and a Baroque altarpiece (18th century) dedicated to Saint Coloma, the church's patron saint. I admit, I was a lot like the statue of the ancient sculptures of South American Nations Maya and Aztecs.
Follow by the return of Andorra la Vella. We had lunch at the restaurant "Don Denis" that relies on local, Catalan, kitchen. Interesting and impressiveness this locally given countless dry ham hanging from the ceiling and create a challenging gourmet experience. We had the impression that the great ham falling from the sky. We have a meal, of course, started the Iberian ham as the main course, we enjoyed the grilled trout. The owner informed us that these were fresh trout caught last night in Engolasters Lake. Do I need to say that I have ham and trout were exceptional!
Written 9 April 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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