Andorra - Pyrenean princess
“Charlemagne, my father, freed me from the Arabs
And gave me Merichel, the great Mother,
She was born a princess and was an impartial maiden between two nations.
I am the only daughter left of Charlemagne's empire.
Believer and free eleven centuries, I want to be a believer and free.
Let the laws be my patrons and the Princes my protectors! ”
(Anthem of Andorra)
Andorra is, first of all, nature, places of stunning beauty, where you can practice a variety of outdoor sports both in summer and in winter. Hiking and skiing are just two examples of outdoor activities available to everyone who comes to Andorra. This is a country where tourists will find a unique three-in-one offer: beautiful ski slopes, the well-known huge thermal complex of Caldea - a real "paradise of water", where you can improve your health wonderfully, and a duty-free zone.
About the country, its history and people
The population of Andorra is 86 thousand people. Less than a third of the total population (11 thousand people) are native Andorrans, descendants of the Catalan peasants who settled the mountain valleys in ancient times. In addition, 25 thousand Spaniards, 4 thousand French, Portuguese and others live in Andorra. The official language is Catalan, which is spoken by a third of the population. French and Spanish (Castilian) are also widely spoken. The majority of believers (99%) are Catholics. The average life expectancy is 83.5 years. Public morality, brought up on Catholicism, is quite severe. Unlike neighboring Spain and France, there are no strip clubs, pornography is not welcome, nudism is not accepted, sexual minorities do not manifest themselves in any way, and prostitution is prohibited and persecuted. The local police do not hesitate to expel from the country any foreigner who violates local laws, or even simply because of cheeky behavior, regardless of his economic status.
Education for all children between the ages of 6 and 16 is compulsory. Secondary education is provided by the state free of charge. There are three types of schools - Andorran, French and Spanish - teaching in which is mainly conducted in Catalan, French and Spanish, respectively. Parents can choose the type of school their children attend. All schools are built and maintained by the Andorran authorities, however, teachers in French and Spanish schools are paid mainly by France and Spain. About 50% of Andorran children go to French primary schools, the rest - to Spanish or Andorran ones. Further education takes place either at the state and the only university in Andorra, founded in 1997, or at the universities of Spain and France. The University of Andorra prepares bachelors in medicine, computer science, business administration and education, and also provides training in higher professional education courses. The only two higher schools in Andorra are the School of Nursing and the School of Computer Science (part of the university). The latter provides training for the degree of Doctor of Science.
Health care in Andorra is provided to all employees and their families within the framework of the state social insurance system, which is financed by contributions from employers and employees proportional to wages. The cost of medical care is covered by insurance in the amount of 75% in case of outpatient treatment (expenses for medicines and doctor visits), 90% in case of hospitalization and 100% in case of accidents at work. The remaining costs may be covered by a private insurance policy. The rest of the citizens and tourists need full private medical insurance.
History has shaped Andorra for centuries, a small mountain principality in the Pyrenees between Spain and France. The first settlements known to historians take us as far back as 200 BC. e. , the first inhabitants are called Andossinians by scientists. In 788, Louis I the Pious defeated the Saracens due to the fact that the inhabitants of the Andorran community led the Frankish army to the rear of the Arabs. For this help, Charlemagne in 805 granted the community the Great Charter of Freedom and this year is considered the year of foundation of the Principality of Andorra. In the 11th-13th centuries, Andorra acquires rulers-princes: the abbe de Urgell (Spain) and the count de Foix (France). Until 1993, the Andorrans paid their overlords an annual tribute: 960 francs - to the President of the French Republic; 460 pesetas, 12 heads of cheese, 12 capons, 12 partridges, 6 hams - to the Bishop of Urgell. In order to avoid frequent clashes between neighboring countries, in 1278, the El Pariatjes peace agreement was signed on the political division of the country. One day, one of the princes, a French count, ascended the royal throne and all rights to the small principality from that moment passed to the French crown. Until 1806, the world community did not want to recognize feudal Andorra. However, the passions calmed down and Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte, who respected this tiny country and called it "a political curiosity that must be preserved", restores the feudal tradition and the suzerain rights of France to the joint administration of the principality by the highest decree. In 1993, the first national constitution was adopted at a national referendum, which turned the principality into an independent legal, democratic and social state - a "parliamentary principality". As a result of historical and political development, Andorra retained the regime of joint administration and the Bishop of Urgell and the President of France remain the heads of state, having absolutely equal rights, represented in Andorra by their governors (“vigier”), so it can be called “servant of two masters”. However, their power is mostly nominal. The supreme legislative body is the unicameral General Council of the Valleys (General Council) of 28 members elected for 4 years by universal and direct suffrage (14 from the national district, and the rest - 2 from each of the 7 communities of the country). The head of the General Council - the General Syndic - is elected from among the members of the Council. Executive power is exercised by the government - the Executive Council. Its chairman is elected by the General Council and officially approved for a four-year term, and the composition is formed by the chairman. In 1994 Andorra joined the Council of Europe.
The basis of the economy is tourism, which provides 80% of the country's GDP. The GDP per capita is very high - $ 41.130 (World Bank list 2009 - 16th place in the world). Due to the high level of banking confidentiality, Andorra is a tax haven. The luxury trade is booming. The most important agricultural products are grain, potatoes and tobacco. The country has reserves of iron ore, lead, mineral water and timber, and hydropower resources.
Getting to know Andorra
Andorra greeted us with snowfall, which replaced the day-long rain that Spain, usually warm and sunny in April, met us the day before. As we rushed to the mountains, the rain after our bus emerged from the next tunnel was replaced by snowfall. It is surprising that this miniature country with a total area of .468 sq. km and a population of 86 thousand people has 7 parish communities (cat. parish), each of which has its own coat of arms. The country is located on the southern slope of the Eastern Pyrenees between France and Spain, in the basin of the Valira River - a picturesque basin open towards Spain. There are many mountain lakes of glacial origin on the territory of the country. From the west, north and east, Andorra is surrounded by 65 high rocky mountains (more than 1200 m above sea level), most of the time covered with snow caps, and separated by narrow valleys. The highest point of the country is Coma Pedrosa peak (2946 m), the lowest is Rio Runer (840 m).
The climate in Andorra is subtropical, mountainous, moderated by the influence of the Mediterranean Sea. The average temperature in January-December is from +2°C to -2°C, and in June-July - from +15°C to +20°C, and during the day even in winter the temperature on the slopes is above 0°C. The altitudinal zoning is pronounced, therefore, depending on the height of the area above sea level and location on a mountain slope, the nature of the weather can vary markedly even within the same area.
Not far from the Spanish-Andorran border, near the town of Santa Coloma, we pass the Romanesque stone bridge of Margineda, thrown over the Gran Valira River. It arches into a graceful arch 33 meters long and 10 meters high. This bridge is one of the popular tourist attractions due to its history and the fabulous mountain scenery that surrounds it.
The first object we visit is the chapel of Santa Maria Merichel. The famous chapel has a thousand-year history. The legend that the statue of Our Lady of Merichel was found by pilgrims on their way from Canillo to Encamp was firmly rooted in the minds of Andorrans committed to the faith. The statue was found among flowering plants, although it was winter and there was snow all around. The pilgrims took the statue to Canillo, but from there it mysteriously disappeared and again ended up in its original place. Then she was taken to Encamp, but, like last time, the statue disappeared. When they found it again in the same place, they guessed that an altar dedicated to the Mother of God should be erected here. The Merichel Chapel was almost completely destroyed by fire in 1972. The statue was destroyed along with it. A modern building made of stone, glass and copper was erected next to the ruins of the burnt Sanctuary, and already in 1976 all the inhabitants of Andorra gathered to consecrate the new Sanctuary of Merichel. The name "Merichel" means "Light in the middle of the day. " Geographically, the Sanctuary is located exactly in the center of the country, illuminating the hearts of all living with the Light of Life. A copy of the beautiful statue of the Mother of God, carved from wood and painted, holding the baby Christ in her arms, which is a symbol of the believing Andorrans, is also kept here. Every year many holidays are celebrated here, among which the first Sunday of May is Mother's Day, September 8 is the Day of Our Lady Merichel, the patroness of Andorra. Flowering plants and snow, although it was spring in full swing, met us, but, unfortunately, we did not see the statue, because the chapel was closed and we limited ourselves to a walk around the chapel.
Then we rise to a height of 1500 m in Engolasters to the Romanesque church of the 10th century - the skete of Michael of Engolasters. It is decorated with a magnificent bell tower of Lombard architecture of the 12th century.
This place offers excellent panoramic views of Encamp and the surrounding mountains. It seems that they are whispering: "Go upstairs and enjoy the beautiful views from our height! ".
Andorra la Vella - the capital of the Principality
We go down, winter landscapes change to spring and only snow-capped peaks remind us of our recent stay in the winter season. We head to the parish of the capital and visit the capital of the Principality of Andorra la Vella, which is located at an altitude of 1.029 m above sea level and is the highest mountain capital in Europe. This is a small, with only 22.5 thousand inhabitants, but a very nice and cozy town.
There are objects of interest to tourists here: shopping on the main streets, the Congress Center, the central park, the Caldea thermal complex, the House of the Valleys, museums: Russian nesting dolls, models of ancient Andorran castles, cars, etc.
We visit the “House of the Valleys”, in the building of which the smallest parliament in Europe has been operating since 1702 and get acquainted with the political structure of the country. Built as a residential building in 1580, today this building is the most comfortable parliament building in the world.
On the right is the sculptural composition "Dance", depicting Andorrans and Andorrans dancing the national Catalan and Andorran dance "Sardana". The sculpture was erected in memory of the political reform in Andorra in 1866, the so-called. "New Reform", when the rights of the General Council were expanded and voting rights were granted to the heads of all Andorran families.
A bas-relief erected behind the House in honor of the 700th anniversary of the signing of the first treaty "El Pariatjes" in 1278 on the joint administration of Andorra between the Bishop of Urgell and the Count of Foix. The bas-relief depicts two pictures: the signing of the treaty 700 years ago (above) and the meeting of the co-rulers of Andorra - the Bishop of Urgell and the President of France today.
On the first floor there is the main meeting room of the Andorran court - the Tribunal, if we go down the stairs, we will get into the prison premises. Previously, there were stables on the first floor, where councilors from outlying parishes could leave saddles and harness their horses. Until now, ancient saddles have been exhibited in the room at the entrance to the “House of the Valleys”. On the second floor are the meeting rooms of the parliament, the chapel and the kitchen. On the third - the rooms of members of parliament (something like a hotel). A good example of how everything you need to run a country can be placed under one roof.
We go to the Ceremonial Hall of the Andorran Parliament. The seats of parliamentarians are located near the walls, in the center at the table are the chairs of ministers. The photographs of the co-princes of Andorra - the Bishop of Urgell and the President of France on the wall of this main hall of the “House of the Valleys” are changed promptly, as soon as, for example, elections are held in France.
Adjacent to the Main Hall is a kind of foyer - the "Hall of Lost Steps", where members of the Andorran Parliament exchange views between sessions. Now meetings in the "House of the Valleys" are held only on special occasions, since all work has moved to a new building next door.
Let's go back to the Grand Hall of the House of the Valleys. Behind the public benches (left) is the historic "Seven Locks Cabinet". Previously, the most important documents of the principality were kept here. They are resorted to only in extreme cases to resolve serious conflicts. The cabinet has seven locks, the keys to which are kept by the heads of the seven Andorran "parishes", and they can only be opened in the presence of seven officials. And the door on the right is the door to a tiny chapel where counselors can pray, both before and now.
The 16th-century kitchen contains antique cauldrons and a hearth. Prior to the construction of the modern highway in 1932, councilors rode mules along the mountain trails to meetings and had to stay in the House for long periods of time, so a kitchen was indispensable. Now this old hearth on the floor is planted only once a year, when coffee is brewed here for the councilors who gather for a solemn meeting.
With the exception of solemn meetings and ceremonial ceremonies, the "House of the Valleys" today functions as a museum. On the right, the new building of the country's parliament, the General Council, overlooks the square. All the daily work of the country's parliament takes place in this building. And on the opposite side of the “House of the Valleys” the square is a fenced cliff with an observation deck. In fact, this whole little white area is the roof of a building attached to a cliff.
We continue our acquaintance with the Barri Antique (Old Quarter) area, which lies on the very spot where the ancient village used to be, from which Andorra la Vella grew. We go to the Church of St. Stephen, which houses one of the copies of Our Lady Merichel.
Located at the confluence of three rivers - Gran Valira, Valira del Oriente and Valira del Norte - Andorra la Vella seems like a dwarf against the backdrop of stunning mountains with snow-capped peaks. These giants, almost 2500 meters high, overgrown with dense forest and surrounding Andorra la Vella from all sides, give a picturesque and peaceful look to even the busiest shopping street.
The greatest number of shops, restaurants, bars and discos is concentrated here, an endless string stretching along the main street.
The city has many original buildings made from local material.
Driving through the excellent roads of the country, they noticed a large number of different sculptures installed in the flowerbeds in the middle of the road.
Ski Andorra
In the world, Andorra is known primarily for the fact that the snow in it is proclaimed a national treasure. In the 60s of the XX century, a tourist skiing boom began in Andorra. First-class ski resorts have been created: Vallnord in the La Massana and Ordino valleys, which offers over 90 km of ski slopes in three sectors and Grandvalira in the Canillo and Encamp valleys, hosting skiers, as well as Naturlandia in the forest of La - Rabassa in Sant Julià de Lò ria with 15 km of cross-country skiing trails. The presence in Grandvalira of slopes with a length of over 200 km allows us to consider this resort the largest ski region in the Pyrenees. All ski equipment of excellent quality can be purchased or rented on site at a reasonable price. More than 1.5 million people come to the ski resorts of Andorra every year during the season, and about 10 million for the whole year. And this despite the absence of an airport and a railway in the country! Leaving the principality, we pass the Grandvalira resort and admire its snowy slopes.
The nature of Andorra has a special charm. Majestic high mountains, rivers rushing into the valleys with a stormy stream, a characteristic landscape give it uniqueness. In winter, Andorran landscapes are especially beautiful, and we were lucky to see Andorra both snowy in winter and blooming in spring. The entire territory of this country can be easily driven in about half an hour, so it is very easy for tourists to move from one comfortable resort to another.
Goodbye, mountain beauty princess of the Pyrenees! Once again I am convinced that even in the smallest state you can see a lot of interesting and memorable things. The proverb rightly says: “The spool is small, but expensive! ”.
