Andorra

To cross high mountain ranges was a very dangerous task in medieval times. It is no surprise that Romanesque churches (or the remains) line the old pass-routes in the Pyrenees as well as in the Alpes. These were places to pray before the final approach and places to thank for having accomplished the task. Sant Joan de Caselles, erected within the 11th century, is exactly next to the old trail, that today is the main road, running south/north through the "Principality of Andorra". So by now this is a major tourist stop. The architecture reminds on churches in the Vall de Boí (150kms east), Since medieval times, Andorra is a co-principality with the President of France and the Bishop of Urgell, as co-princes. The original title holders on the French side were the Counts of Foix, later the title was transferred to the French King, so after the Revolution the President inherited it.

To cross high mountain ranges was a very dangerous task in medieval times. It is no surprise that Romanesque churches (or the remains) line the old pass-routes in the Pyrenees as well as in the Alpes. These were places to pray before the final approach and places to thank for having accomplished the task. Sant Joan de Caselles, erected within the 11th century, is exactly next to the old trail, that today is the main road, running south/north through the "Principality of Andorra". The architecture reminds on churches in the Vall de Boí (150kms east), In the 12th century the interior walls of the church probably had frescoes all over. This large crucifix and the frescoes have survived the times. Since medieval times, Andorra is a co-principality with the President of France and the Bishop of Urgell, as co-princes. The original title holders on the French side were the Counts of Foix, later the title was transferred to the French King, so after the Revolution the President inherited it.

When I had crossed the Pyrenees by foot some weeks ago, I had seen vultures a couple of times. I had never taken a photo, as they watched me - and as soon as I stopped and opened my camera bag - the vultures vanished. This morning the couple posed for me up in the sky.

This may be Andorra's oldest church. It is dedicated to Columba of Sens, the patron saint of Andorra. The nave of the church was built in the 6th or 8th century, and the cylindrical tower in the 12th century.

Sant Cristòfol d'Anyós is a Romanesque church in the Andorran municipality of La Massana. The original church was 5 × 4 meters in size. In the 16th century the building was expanded by lengthening the nave and adding a new roof.

The original building was constructed in the 12th century and expanded in the 17th and 18th centuries. The almost square nave with an apse has four side chapels. The two-story bell tower is at the end of the original nave. In 1968, during the restoration of the apse, mural paintings, dating from the late 12th century, were found. As the church was locked, we could not see them.

Sant Miquel d'Engolasters is located near the village of Engolasters at 1,504 m, dominating the entire valley of Andorra. It was probably erected in the early 12th century. The bell tower is very slender and large compared to the rest of the church. It is 17.5 m high, has a square base, and is crowned by a tiled roof.

Sant Miquel d'Engolasters is located near the village of Engolasters at 1,504 m, dominating the entire valley of Andorra. It was probably erected in the early 12th century. The bell tower is very slender and large compared to the rest of the church. It is 17.5 m high, has a square base, and is crowned by a tiled roof.

Sant Miquel d'Engolasters is located near the village of Engolasters at 1,504 m, dominating the entire valley of Andorra. It was probably erected in the early 12th century. The bell tower is very slender and large compared to the rest of the church. It is 17.5 m high, has a square base, and is crowned by a tiled roof. The slates of the church are covered with graffiti.