Get To Know The Old Gothic Cathedral Of Lleida, La Seu Vella
As we approach the city, both by road and by train, the first thing we see is the silhouette of Lleida’s Gothic cathedral, La Seu Vella. Thus, the monument attracts all eyes from the first moment and, obviously, it is necessary to visit it once we have arrived in Lleida.
The Gothic cathedral of Lleida, symbol of the city
So that you enjoy that visit much more, we are going to give you here a few keys about this monument in Lleida that has become the great emblem of the city. A monument that captures the history of the city and that, curiously, has been a church, a barracks and is now simply a tourist visit.
Origins of the Gothic cathedral of Lleida
Before the main monument of present-day Lleida was erected, there was a mosque in this same place. It was common in many Spanish cities that, where the great Arab mosques were, later cathedrals were built. It occurs in places like Seville or Córdoba, and also in Lleida.
Thus, the cathedral temple began to be built at the beginning of the 13th century. And for about 75 years the work continued until the church was finished. Only the church, since other elements that we see in the current visit, such as the Gothic cloister or the charismatic bell tower were built centuries later.
Transformation of the church in the castle of Lleida
The temple remained with a religious use until the beginning of the 18th century. It was then that the army of the Spanish King Felipe V saw the strategic potential of this location. And it is that today you can enjoy from up there a vast panoramic view of the city and many kilometers of the environment.
The fact is that then it was decided to convert the temple into a military barracks. From there, the insurgent attempts in this area of Catalonia would be stifled.
What happened to all the religious art that La Seu Vella treasured? For the most part it was transported to the church of San Lorenzo, although there were many things that were lost. And even the king wanted to destroy the entire monumental complex later as a punishment for the city. Although, that order was never fulfilled.
The current visit to La Seu Vella
The old church remained as a barracks neither more nor less than until 1948. A long time in which, obviously, many elements of the monumental complex were changed or collapsed.
But fortunately, as of 1948 it ceased to be used as a military space and a slow restoration was undertaken that has lasted several decades. Today it can be visited almost in its entirety, and the way in which medieval architecture has been maintained after such a turbulent history is still admirable.
Of course, today it has a different charm than the original. With its own personality and different from other medieval enclosures. Here we visit an empty church and a cloister that gives us views over the modern urban area of Lleida.
Do not miss it on your visit to Lleida
Therefore, you cannot miss a visit to the Gothic cathedral of Lleida if you visit the city. There awaits a monument with a special magic. Naked medieval architecture with hundreds of stories to tell.
All this, without forgetting that it has an undoubted artistic value, both in its elegant open cloister and in the many doors that are preserved from the monumental complex.
In addition, you can climb to the top of the tower. Of course, it is quite tiring and we only recommend it for people without mobility problems or claustrophobia.
The rest do not worry, from the same esplanade of the monument, for example, in the bastion of the Queen, you can enjoy a wonderful view. Contemplate the entire nucleus of Lleida, the flat lands of the Segriá region that surround it and in the background the broken reliefs, and perhaps already with snow, in the Pyrenees mountain range.
Main photography: Manuel Portero / Wikimedia Commons
