On the second day of our visit to Lleida, we visited the Catalan city’s main touristic attraction, La Seu Vella. Of course, we had already seen plenty of the cathedral during our first day wandering around Lleida; there’s no avoiding the massive structure or its prominent bell tower, which loom inescapably over the daily life of the residents. So we were excited to visit, and learn more about the history of this city we’d known so little about before arriving.
Unsurprisingly, La Seu Vella occupies the very highest point in Lleida, but there’s no need to worry about a steep climb, even on the hottest days of summer. Close to our hotel we found the Plaza de San Juan, where there’s a massive outdoor escalator (which must be among the longest in Spain) that leads to a viewing platform. From there, it’s even easier, as you can use an elevator for the rest of the ascent.
Construction on the cathedral began in 1203 and continued through the 13th and 14th century, with an architectural style that blended the Romanesque with the Gothic. During the War of the Spanish Succession, La Seu Vella was closed to the public in 1707 and remained inaccessible for nearly 250 years. During this time, it was used as military barracks. But after the Spanish Civil War, efforts were made to restore the massive complex.
It’s a good thing you’ve taken the escalator/elevator combo to the top, and that you’re not out of breath — because stepping into the Cloister would rob you of whatever breath you have remaining. This is one of the largest cloisters in Europe, with 17 Gothic windows that provide incredible views out over the city and surrounding countryside. If that’s not enough, you can get even better views from the 15th century bell tower. It’s a truly impressive complex.
We left Lleida feeling glad we’d given the city two full nights. La Seu Vella was the highlight, but the time we spent wandering around the city, visiting some of the other attractions, exploring the ancient streets, sampling the local delicacies, and watching the residents go about their lives, made the visit feel complete. Lleida isn’t well-known as a tourism magnet, and it’s easy to overlook when planning a trip through Catalonia, but this surprisingly large city definitely has enough to occupy a couple days.
From our Travel Blog.
