Boí Valley

Boí Valley

Introduction: The Romanesque churches of the Boí Valley were inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2000.

Sant Climenti and Santa Maria in Taüll: Built in 1123, these are representative examples of Romanesque architecture in the Boí Valley. The apse frescoes of Sant Climenti and the mural paintings in Santa Maria are masterpieces of the Romanesque style, with the originals now housed in the National Art Museum of Catalonia. The Christ Pantocrator from Sant Climenti is often used as an iconic image of Catalan Romanesque art.

Sant Joan in Boí: This was a parish church, of which only the apse and a square Lombard-style bell tower remain. The interior frescoes depict scenes such as the Stoning of Saint Stephen, poetic singers, and animal fables, with the originals now in the National Art Museum of Catalonia.

Santa Eulalia in El Vall de Boí: The church features a striking six-story square bell tower with typical Lombard Romanesque decoration. It originally housed a sculpture group of The Descent from the Cross, now held in the National Art Museum of Catalonia and the Vic Episcopal Museum.

Sant Feliu in Barruera: Exhibits architectural characteristics from the 11th–12th centuries. Its ongoing renovations over time also reflect varying aesthetic tastes from different periods.

Santa Maria in Caldes de Boí: Built on a steep mountainside, it houses the only underground chapel in the Boí Valley and boasts the most spectacular apse in the region.

La Nativitat and Sant Quirc in Durro: The grand church of La Nativitat reflects the importance of the town of Durro during the Middle Ages. The Romanesque statue of Nicodemus displayed inside was once part of the Descent from the Cross group. Sant Quirc hermitage sits atop a 1,500-meter-high mountain peak and is a small building with Baroque elements.

L'Assumpció in Cóll: The church is known for three Romanesque reliquaries: a holy water stoup, a font, and an oil lamp basin.

Barcelona, Spain