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Starting Point

Historical notes

An amalgam of people and civilizations has provided Lleida with a rich and restless culture that can be found in the current modern city.

The Ilergetes were an Iberian tribe who appeared in the middle of the 6th century BC. They used to establish their settlements in high places, which makes it easy to imagine Iltrida on the top of Roca Sobirana.

Their most important leaders were Indibil and Mandoni, who defended the Ilergetes against the Carthaginians and Romans. Once they had been defeated, in the year 205AD the city changed its name to Ilerda. Roman chronicles describe a walled city with a stone bridge forming a municipality (founded in the time of Emperor Augustus) with fertile orchards, which, at the end of the 3rd century, were destroyed by barbarian Germanic tribes.

Around 716-719, Lleida was occupied by the Saracens and the following four centuries of coexistence marked the character of the city.

In October 1149, the city surrendered to the troops of Ramon Berenguer IV and Ermengol VI of Urgell. In 1150 the Population Charter was granted to the city.

In 1300 James II founded the famous Estudi General (General Study), which was the only centre of advanced studies in the territories of the Crown of Aragon until the end of the 15th century.

Since 1382, the seat of municipal government has been in the ancient palace of the Sanaüjas, an important example of civil Romanesque art. From that time onwards, the building has been called the Paeria Palace. The name Paeria is due to the privilege that James I granted in 1264, replacing the former Roman consulate form of municipal government with another called the Paeria.

The 15th century was a period full of great architectural works that have lasted until the present day. An example is Santa Maria Hospital, which has housed the Institut d’Estudis Ilerdencs – IEI - (Institute of Lleidan Studies) since its foundation in 1942.

The two following centuries were characterised by recession worsened by wars and diseases which ended with the Reapers’ War (the uprising of Catalan peasants between 1640 and 1652). The city was damaged and Philip V found Lleida in ruins.

Finally, with the decree of Nueva Planta (Reorganization) (1714), Lleida lost its liberties, the Paeria municipal government system and its University. The Seu Vella (the old cathedral), closed to worship after 1797, became a military barracks.

In the 18th century, the city regained its image and size; in the reign of Charles III the New Cathedral was built. The new ideas of the Enlightenment gave rise to such remarkable figures as Blondel and the baron of Maials. They changed the appearance of the city in accordance with its role as the provincial capital and applied the new agricultural studies to crops.

At the beginning of the 19th century, Lleida suffered a new setback, the Napoleonic invasion. Once again the city had to recover from the disasters of wars, and a new period began in the second half of the 19th century. The railway line reached the city in 1860; in 1864 the Camps Elisis gardens were opened and in 1865 architect Josep Fontseré began to design the first modern city plan.

The beginning of the 20th century brought the reassertion of the Catalan State, with Mancomunitat de Catalunya. The Spanish Civil War (1936 -1939) destroyed the city again. Then, in 1940, with only 40,000 inhabitants, everyone’s effort was needed to achieve urban, commercial and demographic growth.

Nowadays the city of Lleida, with about 115,000 inhabitants, has updated its infrastructures to link the different neighbourhoods to the city centre thanks to the building of various bridges: Pont Nou (1973), Pont Universitat (1993), Pont de Pardinyes (1995), the Blondel footbridge (1997) and the recent Avinguda del Segre footbridge (2003).

In 1999, the old slaughterhouse became the Escorxador Municipal Theatre. In addition, in the year 2000, the restoration of the doorway to the Seu Vella called the Porta dels Fillols was completed.

Urban expansion and the creation of new facilities have shaped the beginning of the 21st century. The opening of the Motoring Museum – Roda Roda – and the opening of the new fruit and vegetable market are some of the most noteworthy events so far this new century, and the coming of the AVE high-speed train and the Arts Centre in the historic building of La Panera were the most important changes in 2004.

In 2005, Lleida recovers the Templar castle of Gardeny, which will open to the public from the second half of the year onwards. Also this year, the rules for the construction of La Llotja – the city’s congress centre – will be established, as well as other urban projects and the future airport in Alguaire, which, altogether, will provide more reasons to visit Lleida.

Turisme de Lleida

Turisme de Lleida offers you a different way of living the city. An itinerary on a double-decker bus with both outdoor and indoor decks to see and discover Lleida. Following a historic-cultural-leisurely itinerary you will be able to know the city and its sights with the help of a tourist guide. The tourist bus is the easiest and most attractive way of seeing Lleida. Besides, from each of its bus stops you can go on several sightseeing itineraries arranged to visit the most important sights of the city.

MONUMENTS

SEU VELLA

The visit to the monumental complex of the Seu Vella plateau – building belonging to the Catalonia Museum of History – will allow you to enjoy the wonderful views of the city offered by the jetty of the “llengua de serp” (snake’s tongue) or the Queen’s Bastion.

The Seu Vella is accessible by car or on foot from Carrer Sant Martí, entering into the walled precinct by the Porta del Lleó, or from Plaça Sant Joan, by lift, through the entrance hall of Sant Andreu; or using line 12 of the urban buses, which run from Monday to Saturday from 7.30am to 9pm.

The construction of the Seu Vella started in 1203, under the direction of master builder Pere de Coma, on top of a former Muslim mosque, according to historians. Dedicated to Santa Maria, the temple was consecrated for worship in 1278. Work on it was not interrupted and in the 14th century, the cloister was completed.

During the 14th century, work on the bell tower construction started and went on until 1431. It was designed as a basilican three-aisled Latin cross layout. Inside the temple you can also find outstanding features, such as the sculpture in the naves, which shows the Tuscany, Toulouse and Provençal influence of the different workshops that worked on it throughout the 13th century, as well as the remains of mural painting, which belong to the Gothic period.

The doors
The architectural complex is accessible through the Fillols door, located in the southern side. On the southern wall, the five monumental doors are a good example of late Romanesque architectural sculpture, also called the School of Lleida.

The western or Apostles Door, which provides easy access to the cloister from outside, was started in the 14th century and completed during the 15th century. The Virgin of Blau dominated this monumental gothic door.

The bell tower
The Seu Vella bell tower has seven bells. Two of them are in gothic style and were built in the 15th century.

Their names are Silvestra, which rings the hours, and Monica, which rings the quarters. The other five bells, which date back to the middle of the 20th century, are electric and their purpose is essentially liturgical. Their names are Barbara, Puríssima, Crist, Marieta and Meuca.

The cloister
Located in the western part of the cathedral, this is the most singular cloister in the country. The rectangular-shaped naves are divided into five parts with pointed vaults and large elegant openwork windows which overlook the southern gallery outside and offer a great view over the city and its irrigated area.

Visiting hours
Seu Vella visiting hours and lift schedule from plaça Sant Joan (square)

SEU VELLA
From 01/06 to 30/09
10am to1.30pm and from 4 to7.30pm
From 01/10 to 30/05
10 to 1.30pm and from 3 to 5.30pm
Closed on Mondays
Price 2.40 euros
Information phone no: 973 230 653
www.mhcat.net

LIFT
From 01/06 to 30/09
10am to 1.30pm and from 4 to 8pm
From 01/10 to 30/05
10 to 1.30pm and from 3 to 5.30pm
Closed on Sunday afternoons, Mondays and Holidays
Price 0.40 euros.
Information phone no: 973 278 089

PAERIA PALACE

Lleida Town Hall is located in the heart of the Commercial Centre.

La Morra (former 16th century prison situated in the basement), the city archives and the inner yard are some of its treasures.

The Paeria Palace, the most representative work of Romanesque civil architecture in Lleida, is also one of the most emblematic monumental constructions in Catalonia.

At first sight, different interventions can be seen. The façade that overlooks the river Segre corresponds to neoclassical style architecture and in 1929, they chose to restore it in a neo-medieval style. The result is a perfect well-balanced building.

Built at the beginning of the 13th century, it is erected on “strata” of history that the technicians from Lleida City Council and the University discovered after consecutive excavations.

In the 14th century – more precisely in 1383 – the Sanaüja family, owners and precursors of the current construction, handed over the building to the city so that it could become the municipal government headquarter. Nowadays, La Paeria, known by Lleida inhabitants as the house of the paer en cap (mayor), is home to numerous treasures that reflect the identity of the city.

The word paer comes from the Latin word patiarii, which means man of peace. The nickname was adopted by the mayors of the city after King Jaime I had granted privileges to Lleida’s former consuls.

The altarpiece of Virgin of Paers
The 15th-century gothic altarpiece (1451-1454) that decorates the noble room – where civil weddings are celebrated – originally presided over the altar of the Paeria chapel. The central figure of the work is the Virgin flanked by the archangels Gabriel and Michael. The Virgin, surrounded by the four paers, symbolizes the protection of the government of the city.

La Morra
In 1486, La Paeria basements were reformed to create a prison with separated rooms for men and women. The room destined for guilty people condemned to death is known as La Morra. The ashlars of the prison walls are covered in numerous pieces of graffiti that date from the 16th and the 17th centuries. This graffiti represents the crucifixion and codes as a sign of religious devotion and lack of liberty.

The City Archives and the “Carta Pobla”
There is a gorgeous baroque wooden wardrobe that is known as the Wardrobe of Privileges. Another treasure of the archive is the Llibre dels usatges, which dates back to the 14th century. However, the most important historical document that is catalogued in the city archives is, without a doubt, the Carta Pobla, the first constitution of the inhabitants of the lands of Lleida, dated 1150.

From Monday to Saturday
11am to 2pm and 5 to 8pm
Holidays
11am to 2pm

(FORMER) HOSPITAL DE SANTA MARIA

A 15th-16th century Gothic-plateresque construction, and current headquarters of the Institut d’Estudis Ilerdencs and also home to the headquarters of the Numismatic Office, with collections of coins from all the historical periods of the city.

The main door shows a picture of the Virgin and shields with the Lleida coats of arms. A stone staircase that leads to a gallery with pointed arches raises from the wonderful central patio.

The building houses the Gothic Room, a place for temporary expositions with a baroque altarpiece dedicated to Our Lady of Los Angeles, made in 1738 by F. Escarpenter.

The Archaeology Room has prehistoric, Iberian, Roman and Visigothic material.

Winter
From Tuesday to Friday
10am to 2pm and 5.30 to 8.30pm
Saturdays
12 midday to 2pm and 5.30 to 8.30pm
Sundays
12 midday to 2pm
Summer
From Tuesday to Friday
10am to 2pm and 6 to 9pm
Saturdays
11am to 2pm and 7 to 9pm
Sundays
11am to 2pm

THE NEW CATHEDRAL

Between 1761 and 1781, the New Cathedral was built thanks to the contributions of Lleida’s inhabitants, King Carlos III and the bishop Joaquín Sánchez. In baroque style with many French academic classicist features, it is located in the heart of the commercial centre, in front of the Hospital of Santa Maria.

The staircases, with three semi-circular iron doors and lateral supports, enable access to the main door, which boasts the shield of the Bourbons at the top. The three-aisled layout inside hides the thin Corinthian-style colonnade that supports the semi-circular arches.

The baroque choir, work of Lluís Bonifas Massó, was destroyed during the Civil War (1936). The temple is home to an image of the Virgin of Montserrat (la Moreneta) – by Josep Obiols – the patron saint of Catalonia and is part of the pilgrimage made on 27th April.

The Virgin of Blau, whose saint’s day is celebrated on 2nd February, is also worshipped. According to the legend, she owes her name of “blau” (bruise) to the haematomas made by the sculptor when he threw a hammer at her forehead when he saw that, while he was away, one of his disciples had completed the sculpture, fully surpassing his master’s artistic ability.

CHURCH OF SAINT LAWRENCE

This is a Romanesque church with gothic extensions and finishes. This is the second most important church after the Seu Vella. It has three equal naves, with three apses. The Romanesque central nave is the oldest. The other two lateral naves are in gothic style. Its construction was started at the end of the 12th century by the sculptors and craftsmen who worked with Pere de Coma, the master builder of the Seu Vella. The side chapels and the octagonal bell tower – 15th century – are in gothic style. The building still has four important gothic altarpieces; the largest dedicated to Sant Llorenç, one to Santa Úrsula -attributed to Jaume Cascalls-, another to Sant Pere and the last one to Santa Llúcia. On the gothic door of the Plaça Sant Josep you can see Berenguer de Gallart’s coats of arms. The church, which has twice been the cathedral headquarters , has various pieces of art belonging to Lleida Diocesan Museum.

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The sculpture of the Virgin of Fillols, which comes from the Seu Vella, is notable, as well as Santa María de la Candelera, a 15th century gothic painting attributed to the painter Mateu Ferrer that represents Sant Blas. In the same church you will find the Ramon de Tàrrega sepulchre and the Sant Crist Trobat, an image restored by Jaume Perelló. In 2002, the bell tower was restored, and it has recovered its original beauty thanks to the handmade reproduction of the openwork of the railing and the original gargoyles.

From Monday to Friday
9.30am to 12.30pm and 5 to 8pm
Saturday and Holidays
11am to 1pm and 5 to 8pm

CHURCH OF SAINT MARTIN

This is a Romanesque Church built on the base of a former mosque. It was consecrated for worship in 1186 as the centre of the parish church of Sant Martí. It is a single-nave temple covered by a pointed plain vault, strengthened by three arches in the nave and one with a double apse. Throughout history, the church has undergone different uses, like housing magnificent academic events of the Estudi General, enduring sieges and city wars or becoming military barracks, as well as the prison for the province.

PROOEMIUM
This is the exhibition that shows part of the most emblematic works of the Diocesan collection and some which come from the treasure of Lleida’s Cathedral, such as the Fatimid rock crystal chess set from Àger, altar frontals, Romanesque and Gothic sculptures, rich and magnificent golden and silver productions, as well as spectacular Baroque paintings and sculptures, which brighten the eyes of the visitor with all their splendour, offering a visual trip through the most artistic productions of the lands of Lleida.

From Tuesday to Saturday
10am to 1.30pm and 6 to 8pm
Holidays
10am to 1.30pm

THE CASTLE OF GARDENY

The Templar castle of Gardeny will reopen its doors to the public from the second half of 2006

The Castle of Gardeny – together with those of Miravet, Monzón, Peñíscola and the town of Tortosa – is a part of the Domus Templi Templar route: a journey through time to discover an important part of the Templar heritage and legacy of the former Crown of Aragon.

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In the second half of the 12th century, the Order of the Knights Templar built a monastery complex on the strategic plateau of Gardeny. The hillock had already been used before our period as a base for military operations and had been visited by brilliant strategists, such as Julius Caesar himself, who confronted Afranius and Petreius, two supporters of Pompey who had established themselves in Ilerda in 49 B.C.

During the 17th and 18th centuries, the former medieval complex was extended and turned into a new military fort, whose design corresponded to the new defensive needs involved in the introduction of the artillery: walls flanked by bastions and surrounded by vast spaces, moats and retaining walls. The current image of this monumental complex corresponds to the remains of what was an impressive fortress.

The Castle of Gardeny in Lleida, together with those of Miravet, Monzón, Peñíscola and to the town of Tortosa, is a part of the Domus Templi Templar route. This journey through the time brings you to discover an important part of the Templar heritage and legacy of the former Crown of Aragon.

The templar house of Gardeny (12th-14th C.)
With the conquest of the town of Lleida, in 1149, the Templars were given various properties in exchange for the help given during the siege, including the Gardeny hill. The first reference to the Command of Gardeny dates back to 1156 and the first commander was brother Pere de Cartellà, who took an active part in the siege of the city.

Thanks to numerous contributions made largely by the small nobility, the House of Gardeny succeeded building up great wealth. In order to run the different sectors that had been established, new administrative posts soon had to be created, along with new commands, such as those of Corbins and Barbens.

As a result of this growth, the House of Gardeny became, by the 13th century, one of the main Templar decision-making centres in the Crown of Aragon.

The monumental complex of Gardeny represents one of the most outstanding testimonies of Templar architecture built in Catalonia during the second half of the 12th century. Although between the 17th and 18th centuries considerable changes were made that ended up altering the previous appearance of the medieval complex, many buildings from the autonomous fortress are still preserved today. It is an area bounded by walls and flanked by towers, within which the various buildings would have been grouped around a central courtyard.

Among these buildings we should highlight, firstly, the tower-room, a solid two-storey construction that had several rooms: store rooms, living rooms and the keep.

Secondly, there is the Romanesque Church of Santa Maria de Gardeny, an unusual building which was the centre of great devotion in the past.

The Modernist City

More Info Lleida Modernista

Lleida has many modernist buildings. Many of them have been recently restored, which has given them back their original splendour.

1. Escorxador municipal theatre
(C/ Lluís Companys, s/n)
This architectural complex is the work of the architect Francesc de Paula Morera i Gatell. It is the most important example of Modernist architecture in the city, belonging to its industrial heritage and also representing the new sensitivity of the beginning of the century. With the passing of time, architect Morera’s creation underwent various changes and was finally closed in 1984. Its restoration and remodelling began at that time, so it could be used as a first-class cultural facility.

2. Melcior house
(Plaça Sant Francesc, 2)
Modernist double facade building designed by Francesc de Paula Morera i Gatell, with exceptional galleries with coloured stained-glass window, stuccoed stonework, carpentry, wrought iron and glazed tiles.

3. Morera de la Lira house
(Av. de Blondel)
The Morera House, built in 1922 is, because of its originality, a unique example of Catalan Modernism. Recently restored, it is also known as the House of la Lira because of the decoration on its façade.

4. Magí Llorens house
(C/ Major, 74-76)
Modernist-style building, boasting an artistic façade. The galleries, balconies and the stone floral motifs on the ground floor are worthy of mention.

5. Balash houses
(Rambla d’Aragó, 31-33-35)
Complex of three two-storey buildings with galleries, by the architect Morera (1914). The use of marble, the stuccoed floral compositions and the carpentry are worthy of mention.

6. Bergós house
(Plaça de la Sal, corner Clot de les Monges)
Dating back to the beginning of the 20th century. Remarkable architecture on the balconies and Art Nouveau mouldings. The wrought iron and the use of floral and geometric motifs are revealed in all their splendour following their recent restoration.

7. Xam-mar house
(Av. Blondel, 9)
This was built between 1920 and 1950. The entrance door allowed coaches into a yard. The work of the Lleida architect, Francesc de Paula Morera i Gatell, its outstanding features are its big gallery with large windows and stone decoration.

8. Baró house, La Vinícola
(Av. de Blondel, 100)
Built in 1921, it is known as La Vinícola because of the shop situated on the ground floor for years. The façade, with chamfered corners and windowed balconies, shows a wealth of colour in the plaster decoration.

More modernist buildings

Natural town
In Lleida, within the centre of the town, we can find natural areas which are unique due to their size and their great ecological value.

0. The irrigated area
When we arrive in the city of Lleida, with the Seu Vella as a backdrop, we can see Lleida’s irrigated area, the green belt that surrounds the city. Far from losing its identity, Lleida’s irrigated area still has most of its natural, agricultural flavour… and it has adapted spectacularly to the comforts of modern life.

1. The riverside park
Going for a walk along the avenue parallel to the right bank of the River Segre we will see the city’s noble façade: the building of Montepío, the Principal Casino, Cristòfol art gallery, Melcior House, the neoclassical façade of the Paeria and that of the Pal·las building, dominated by the Seu Vella.

2. Camps Elisis
This public park contains remarkable buildings, such as the Café Chalet and the Templet de la Música, two 19th-century constructions, or the Aquarium, a Modernist brick building decorated with glazed tiles and engraved beams. In the gardens we can see several sculptures.

3. La Mitjana
La Mitjana is a surprising natural area that spreads out to the boundary of the city. It is a riverside wetland area spreading over 90 hectares, which was declared Area of Natural Interest in 1979. The most typical element of the area is water. Its microclimate has encouraged the growth of a luxuriant riverside woodland. Its vegetation is made up of black poplars, poplars, alders and ashes; bushes such as willows, tamarisks or brambles and a layer of shrubs with water lentils, bulrush, reeds, yellow lilies and rushes. The fauna is another outstanding point of interest in Mitjana Park. Because of their habits, birds are particularly easy to watch. In the wetland areas there are many mallard ducks, moorhens or gallinules, gulls, egrets and grey herons. Birds of prey such as harriers, buzzards and even ospreys fly above this area. Amphibians and reptiles are represented by water snakes, adders, green frogs and toads. There are also many fish, such as barbels and pikeperch and mammals such as wild boar or foxes. Mitjana Park is the ideal place to go for a walk, to do some exercise and to observe fauna and flora.

MUSEUMS

City Museums

Paeria Museum (Palau Paeria, palace)
Pl. Paeria, 1 – Phone no. 902 25 00 50
Open from Monday to Saturday: from 11.00 to 14.00h.
and from 17.00 to 20.00h.
On Sundays and public holidays:
open from 11.00 to 14.00h. (Free Admission)

City Archive (Palau Paeria, palace)
Pl. Paeria, 1 – Phone no. 973 700 352
Open from Monday to Friday: from 9.00 to 14.00h.

Diocesan Museum
Sant Martí church: Phone no. 973 27 32 30
Open from Tuesday to Saturday: from 10.00 to 13.30h.
and from 18.00 to 20.00h.
Public holidays : open from 10.00 to 13.30h.
Closed on Mondays.
Admission: 1,80 euros

Jaume Morera Museum (Convent del Roser, convent)
C/ Cavallers, 15 – Phone no. 973 700 419 – www.paeria.es/mmorera
Open from Tuesday to Saturday: from 11.00 to 14.00h. and from 17.00 to 20.00h.
Public holidays: from 11.00 to 14.00h.

La Panera Art Centre
Pl. de la Panera, 2 – Tel. (+34) 973 26 21 85 – lapanera@paeria.es
Pre-arranged guided visits for schools and general public:
From Tuesday to Saturday: 10 am to 2 pm and 4 pm to 8 pm
Sundays and bank holidays: 10 am to 2 pm
Closed on Mondays
Guided visits for the general public:
Saturdays: at 12 pm and at 6 pm
Sundays: at 12 pm

Archaeological Room (Institut d’Estudis Ilerdencs)
Pl. Catedral s/n – Phone no. 973 27 15 00
From 1st October to 31st May
open from Tuesday to Friday from 10.00 to 14.00h. and from 17.30 to 20.30h.
On Saturdays and public holidays: open from 12.00 to 14.00h. and from 17.30 to 20.30h.
On Sundays: open from 12.00 to 14.00h.
Closed on Sunday afternoons and Mondays.
From 1st June to 30th September
Open from Tuesday to Friday from 10.00 to 14.00h. and from 18.00 to 21.00h.
On Saturdays and public holidays: open from 11.00 to 14.00h. and from 19.00 to 21.00h.
On Sundays: open from 11.00 to 14.00h.
Closed on Sunday afternoons and Mondays

Art Gallery at Plaça Sant Joan
Pl. de Sant Joan, s/n – Phone no. 973 70 03 94
Open from Monday to Friday: from 18.00 to 20.00h.
On Saturdays, open from 12.00 to 14.00h. and from 18.00 to 20.00h.
On Sundays and public holidays, open from 12.00 to 14.00h. (Free admission)

Art Gallery at Centre Cultural of Fundació “La Caixa”
Av. de Blondel, 3- Phone no. 973 27 07 88
From Monday to Saturday: open from 10.00 to 13.00h. and from 17.00 to 20.00h.
On Sundays and public holidays: open from 11.00 to 14.00h.

Leandre Cristòfol Art Gallery
Av. Blondel, 42 bajos – Phone no. 700 419
From Tuesday to Friday: from 18.00 to 20.00h.
On Saturdays: open from 11.00 to 14.00h. and from 18.00 to 20.00h.
On Sundays and public holidays: open from 11.00 to 14.00h.
Closed on Mondays. (Free admission)

Roda Roda. Automobile Museum
C/ Sta. Cecília, 22 – Phone no. 973 28 17 21
On Fridays and public holidays: open from 10.00 to 13.00h
On Saturdays: open from 10.00 to 13.00h. and from 16.00h. to 20.00h. (Free admission)

Water Museum
C/ Múrcia-Pl. del Dipòsit – Phone no. 973 28 17 21
Winter (from November to February)
Friday and bank holidays: open from 10.00 to 14.00h.
Saturdays: open from 10.00 to 13.00h and from 16.00 to 20.00h.
Summer (from March to October)
From Wednesday to Friday, Sundays and bank holidays: open from 10.00 to 13.00h.
On Saturdays: open from 10.00 to 13.00h. and from 16.00 to 20.00h.
Closed on Mondays and Tuesdays.
Admission: general public: 1,50 euros / reduced rate: 1,20 euros

CAVES DE RAIMAT

Caves Raimat
Location: Les Afores, s/n 25111 Raimat (Segria).
Visits: Saturdays and Sundays, at 10.30, 11.30 and 12.30 h.
Information: Telf: (34) 973 72 40 00 Fax: (34) 973 72 40 61

Art Nouveau style cellar projected by the architect Joan Rubi i Bellver. Built between 1918 and 1924. The subsequent enlargements have been projected for Domingo Triay.
Named the Cathedral of Wine, – denomination also used for the rural buildings of the architect Cesar Martinell – it where absolutely innovative by its structure of extensive arcades and by the utilization of new materials, as the concrete.
Series of warehouses against the lateral of the great main bay. The solution can be emphasized to isolate the cover of the interior by means of stagnant water, at present substituted by solid isolating materials. All the spaces are illuminated by small beams of light entering through small glazed windows. The new structure, is perfectly connected with the old zone of the wine cellar. This new space is on the place of a previous hill and is adapted perfectly with the landscape. This space normaly called pyramid dates of the year 1988.
Into the property, another interesting building is found, the Raimat Castle located on a hill over the village. This castle is much more old thant the rest of buildings, the first references dated on the XI century, having suffered different enlargements, for which the historians situate its present basic structure in 1627.
This castle is more residential than defensive, and the interior was restructured in 1914. The lines of the fortification are very austere. At present it is used as a residence by the guests of the Raventos family.
Other architectural new but very interesting element, is the hill that was emptied to install in its interior the new wine cellars, planting later a hectare of cabernet sauvignon over it. Inside the modern building we can observe a pyramid of 3.000 kilograms that was transferred with ice and was left to melt to set the position of this geometric figure.
The wines of this exploitation are of a big quality, for these reason it are served in the supper of gala of the Nobel Prizes in Sweden.

Lleida