01108
Andorra la Vella – Andorra – S. X - XI
S: 1/80.jpg)
Sizes(mm): 350 x 280 x 240 mm
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Santa Coloma: A Romanesque Gem of Andorra
Set on the right bank of the Valira River, 970 metres above sea level in Andorra la Vella, the pre-Romanesque church of Santa Coloma ranks among the principality’s oldest and most captivating Romanesque treasures. First recorded in 1040 in the consecration charter of La Seu d’Urgell’s cathedral, the church reflects nearly a millennium of history.
Its architecture is marked by simple, graceful lines: a single rectangular nave, a square east-facing apse, a modest south-side doorway with porch, and—its most distinctive feature—a four-storey circular bell tower built in the 12th century on 11th-century Lombard models.
Inside, an elegant horseshoe triumphal arch frames the sanctuary, hinting at a once-rich programme of Romanesque murals; the only fragment still in situ is an Agnus Dei above the arch. Equally noteworthy is the polychrome wooden statue of Our Lady of Remedies, prized for both artistic and devotional value.
If you love history and Romanesque art, you can bring a piece of this marvel home: a finely detailed scale model of the Church of Santa Coloma is available for purchase.
