Overview:

Meritxell Sanctuary is a Romanesque church located in the small town of Canillo in Andorra. The temple dates from the twelfth century and is the most important religious monument in the Principality of Andorra. If you head to the town of Canillo, you won’t be able to miss the imposing appearance of the old Roman Catholic cult that, while venerating the Virgin Mary, also holds in its walls the cults of several saints. Meritxell is a sanctuary of great historical importance because it contains sculptures of exceptional artistic quality such as the Virgin of Meritxell and the Christ of Meritxell. This sanctuary has also been declared an Asset of Cultural Interest and is a must-see if you are traveling through Andorra. It is one of the most beautiful monuments in Andorra
Prominent Features:

The Meritxell Sanctuary is located in the tiny principality of Andorra. It is an important religious site and place of pilgrimage, and has been a destination for worship and pilgrimage since the early Middle Ages. It is named after the Virgin Mary of Meritxell, the patron saint of Andorra. The main attraction is the Cathedral of Our Lady of Meritxell, an important Romanesque-style church that houses a venerated Black Madonna statue believed to have been carved in the 13th century. The church was built in the 11th century and restored in the 18th century. Other important features of the sanctuary include a museum with artifacts from the 18th and 19th centuries, a shrine with a number of holy relics and chapels dedicated to a variety of patron saints. For those who wish to deepen their spiritual connection to the Meritxell Sanctuary, the grounds host retreats, conferences, and other activities. You can learn history, culture, and heritage through these magnificent monuments in Andorra.

History:

The Meritxell Sanctuary is located in Canillo, a parish in the Principality of Andorra. It is a sanctuary and religious complex dedicated to Our Lady of Meritxell, the Patron Saint of Andorra. The origin of the Sanctuary dates back to 880 when a farmstead was destroyed by lightning and its church, dedicated to Santa Maria de Meritxell, burned down. According to legend, on the same day the body of Santa Meritxell was discovered in the sanctuary's woods. Since then, Meritxell has been the nations patron saint. In 1467, Meritxell was declared the Patron Saint of Andorra, and in 1887, the government of Andorra officially declared the Sanctuary a place of worship and consecrated it in honor of Meritxell. After suffering a fire in 1934, the Sanctuary underwent renovations, which were completed in 1947 under the direction of the Canillo clergy. Since then, the chapel and crypt have been decorated with religious art, and the grounds have been expanded with a garden, courtyards, and a museum. Today, the Meritxell Sanctuary is a major pilgrimage site for Andorran Catholics and a popular tourist attraction. The annual Romeria de Meritxell procession, held each May in honor of Santa Meritxell, draws thousands of visitors each year. Visit one of the famous monuments of Andorra with your friends and family.

Interesting facts:

1. The Meritxell Sanctuary is the national shrine of Andorra and is home to the image of Our Lady of Meritxell, the patron saint of the country. 2. The sanctuary is located atop a mountain in the parish of Canillo in the Pyrenees mountains. 3. It is the only Marian shrine in Andorra and the oldest Marian pilgrimage center in the Pyrenees. 4. The sanctuary is believed to date back to the eighth century, making it one of the oldest Marian shrines in Europe. 5. The original wooden sanctuary, which was destroyed by fire, was replaced with a new stone one in the 18th century. 6. The sanctuary was surprisingly large for a mountain sanctuary and served as a spiritual refuge for communities in the region. 7. It has become a popular pilgrimage site for Catholics from all over the world, particularly during the feast days of Our Lady of Meritxell. 8. On July 14, 1982, Pope John Paul II canonically crowned the image of Our Lady of Meritxell during his visit to the sanctuary. One of the historical monuments of Andorra, it tells the story of a bygone era