La Seu d´Urgell

Population: 10,711

La Seu is up close to the border with Andorra, and provides an excellent base from which to explore the region if you don’t want to go into Andorra itself. Once again, it’s a town with a long history, and is named after its imposing cathedral on Carrer Major.

The cathedral is the seat of a bishopric that dates back to 820, and it was squabbles over land rights between the Bishops of La Seu d’Urgell and the Counts of Foix that led to Andorra gaining independence in the 13th century. The building itself wasn’t consecrated until 1175 and has been restored several times since, but it contains some fine interior decoration and particularly lovely cloisters. As part of your visit, you should also go to the adjacent 11th century church of Sant Miquel and to the Museu Dioscesà, which contains a brightly coloured 10th century Mozarabic manuscript called the Beatus.

In reality, there’s not much to see in La Seu but it’s just an agreeable place to stroll about. There are some great bars along the dark, cobbled and arcaded old town streets in the area below the cathedral and there are some particularly fine 14th century buildings along Carrer dels Canonges.

If you’re in La Seu, though, you’re probably more interested in its surrounding area. For walkers Cadí-Moixeró Nature Park is a must, for those into water sports the Olympic facilities of the Parc Olímpic del Segre are another attraction and with four ski resorts nearby, La Seu is an ideal base for a winter sports holiday.

Ajuntament de La Seu d’Urgell, Carrer Portal de Cerdanya Tel. 973 350 010