Our Lady of Meritxell. Meritxell chapel Andorra. Santuari de Meritxell

Santuari-de-Meritxell-Andorra

Sanctuary of Meritxell Basilica in Andorra


The Sanctuary of Meritxell Basilica in Andorra is the most important religious temple in Andorra and attracts visitors driven by faith and spirituality from all over the world. The 'Santuari de Meritxell' is home to the image of Andorra's patron saint, Our Lady of Meritxell.

The legend of Our Lady of Meritxell


According to legend, on a Sunday morning during Epiphany, the residents of Meritxell were making their way to the nearby Canillo to attend Mass. Given the wintry conditions, they least expected to encounter a blooming Dog Rose, and even more astonishing, this rose held an image of Our Lady cradling the Infant Jesus among its branches. Taken aback by this extraordinary sight, they carefully retrieved the image and, under the vigilant gaze of the parish priest, placed it in the Canillo church. To their amazement, the following morning, the image had miraculously returned to its place among the Dog Rose's branches. Moreover, despite a night of heavy snowfall resulting in drifts all around, the rose itself remained untouched. It became evident to the villagers that Our Lady intended to stay in this sacred spot. Consequently, they erected a chapel right there to enshrine the image, which is where the present-day sanctuary now stands. This discovery was considered miraculous, and it became the focal point of devotion in the region.

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Sanctuary

A sanctuary was built in the Canillo parish at the exact place of the miraculous appearance of Our Lady of Meritxell. The original image from the late 12th century, was tragically destroyed in a fire, when the former Meritxell sanctuary burned down on September 8th 1972. Now in its place is a reproduction based on the original Romanesque piece. The significance of this religious site led to its recognition as a minor basilica by Pope Francis in 2014, making it the sole place of worship with such a title in the Principality. 

Since then, Meritxell has been included in the "Marian Route", connecting it with four other significant sanctuaries in Spain and France: El Pilar, Montserrat, Torreciudad, and Lourdes. Consequently, the temple has evolved into a focal point, attracting visitors driven by faith and spirituality.

The basilica also houses sculptures of other Andorran saints, patrons of the country's various parishes, such as Sant Serni de Canillo, Santa Eulalia de Encamp, Sant Corneli de Ordino, Sant Iscle de La Massana, Sant Esteve de Andorra la Vella, Sant Pere Màrtir de Escaldes-Engordany, and Sant Julià y Sant Germà de Sant Julià de Lòria. All these pieces are the creations of the Andorran sculptor Sergi Mas.

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Symbolic significance

The Meritxell religious site in Andorra holds immense symbolic significance for the inhabitants of the Principality as home to the image of Our Lady of Meritxell, the patron saint of the country. This polychrome statue is a reproduction based on the original Romanesque piece, which was tragically destroyed in a fire in 1972. The Basilica also houses sculptures of other Andorran saints, patrons of the country's various parishes, such as Sant Serni de Canillo, Santa Eulalia de Encamp, Sant Corneli de Ordino, Sant Iscle de La Massana, Sant Esteve de Andorra la Vella, Sant Pere Màrtir de Escaldes-Engordany, and Sant Julià y Sant Germà de Sant Julià de Lòria. All these masterpieces are the creations of the Andorran sculptor Sergi Mas. The significance of this religious site led to its recognition as a minor basilica by Pope Francis in 2014, making it the sole place of worship with such a title in the Principality. Since then, Meritxell has been included in the Marian Route, connecting it with four other significant sanctuaries in Spain and France: El Pilar, Montserrat, Torreciudad, and Lourdes. Consequently, the temple has evolved into a focal point, attracting visitors driven by faith and spirituality.


Current sanctuary of Meritxell 

The current Sanctuary of Meritxell in Andorra is primarily constructed of stone and features a Romanesque architectural style. It was designed by the Catalan architect Ricard Bofill and inaugurated in 1976 after the original sanctuary was destroyed by a fire in 1972.

The sanctuary building is characterized by its simple, yet elegant design and includes elements such as pointed arches, stone walls, and a bell tower. Inside the sanctuary, you can find a chapel that houses the revered statue of Our Lady of Meritxell, which is typically made of wood or another traditional material for religious sculptures.

The interior of the sanctuary is decorated with religious art and features a space for worship and prayer. The sanctuary's architectural design and materials are intended to harmonize with the natural surroundings of the Andorran Pyrenees and contribute to the spiritual and cultural significance of the site.

How to visit the Sanctuary of Meritxell

From Barcelona you can visit Andorra and Our Lady of Meritxell by various means. The most popular way to visit Andorra from Barcelona is to book a day tour from Barcelona to Andorra which might have a stop at Our Lady of Meritxell.

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Last Updated on Wednesday, 04 September 2024 10:56
 

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