Andorra la Vella Old Town
老安道尔 · Andorra la Vella (Old Town), Andorra
In Andorra la Vella's Barri Antic, stone lanes, stone houses and small squares run together; at its heart is Casa de la Vall, a 16th-century manor that was once the seat of Andorra's parliament.
Know before you go
- Do not enter rooms that are not open to visitors
- do not talk loudly in churches
- do not block the narrow footpaths for long when taking photos
This article is Not yet verified. Please check official announcements for prices, opening hours and dates.
Stories & people
Stories & people
History
The Cabinet of the Seven Keys
Beside the council chamber of Casa de la Vall stands a cabinet holding the nation's documents, including historical texts such as the Manual Digest and the Politar Andorrà. It has seven locks, one for each parish, and can be opened only when representatives of all seven parishes are present — a sign that no single party can use the country's founding texts alone.
Source: Wikipedia: Casa de la Vall; Bazar Travels: Casa de la Vall
History
Two co-princes
In 1278 the Bishop of Urgell and the Count of Foix signed an agreement to share lordship over Andorra, the origin of the co-principality. The Count of Foix's rights later passed to the French head of state, and today the two co-princes are the Bishop of Urgell and the President of France. The constitution approved by referendum in 1993 defines Andorra as a parliamentary co-principality and sets out the co-princes' powers.
Source: Wikipedia: Co-princes of Andorra
Culture
Culture & customs
Background
Old Andorra is the Barri Antic, the historic quarter of the capital Andorra la Vella, where stone lanes, stone houses and small squares run together. The highlight is Casa de la Vall: its stone walls and corner tower still keep the look of a 16th-century manor, the coats of arms of the Busquets family and of Andorra are carved at the door, and the building appears on Andorra's 1-euro coin. The Busquets family built Casa de la Vall in 1580 as a manor with a defensive tower; in 1702 it was bought by Andorra's local council, and from then on it housed the General Council (parliament) until parliament moved to a new building in 2011. The ground floor holds the courtroom, and upstairs are the council chamber, a chapel dedicated to St. Ermengol, and the Cabinet of the Seven Keys, which holds historical documents. Andorra's heads of state are two co-princes: the Bishop of Urgell and the President of France.
Local customs
- Walk along Avinguda Meritxell into the old quarter and start with a guided tour of Casa de la Vall to see the council chamber, the courtroom and the Cabinet of the Seven Keys
- then visit the nearby Church of Sant Esteve for its Romanesque details and see the sculpture in the Casa de la Vall gardens
- afterwards, browse the small shops and have a coffee on the old quarter's stone streets.
Etiquette & taboos
Etiquette & taboos
Don’t DON'T
- Do not enter rooms that are not open to visitors
- do not talk loudly in churches
- do not block the narrow footpaths for long when taking photos
Locals appreciate DO
- Follow the guide inside Casa de la Vall
- book the tour in advance
- keep quiet in churches
- wear non-slip shoes on the cobbles
Plan your visit
Practical info
Travel tips
- The interior of Casa de la Vall can only be visited on a guided tour, offered in several languages
- booking ahead is recommended, and prices and opening hours should be checked on the official site
- you can view the exterior freely. There is no car park right in the old quarter, so park in a public car park below and walk up
- the cobbles are slippery in the rain, so wear non-slip shoes. Andorra uses the euro, and shopping is part of many visitors' trips — check customs rules for duty-free allowances.
- Andorra has no airport or railway station
- you usually come in by long-distance bus from Barcelona in Spain or from Toulouse in France. The old quarter is easy to explore on foot, and buses link the parishes. Spring, summer and autumn are the best seasons, pleasant for walking around the old quarter
- winter is ski season, when the town is busier and accommodation is tight
- summer afternoons are strongly sunny, so alternate indoor visits with strolls in the old quarter.
Photos
Photos
Diego Delso · CC BY-SA 3.0
Diego Delso · CC BY-SA 3.0