Overview:

, Vall del Madriu-Perafita-Claror, Andorra la Vella is a glacial valley and natural park in Andorra. It was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2004 due to its exceptional beauty, cultural diversity, and intricate alpine ecosystems. The park offers up a spectacular range of landscapes including glacial valleys, high pastures, rocky cliffs, and streams. Visitors at Vall del Madriu-Perafita-Claror are rewarded with ample opportunities for hiking, rock climbing, birdwatching, picnicking, and wildlife observation. The park also serves as a perfect backdrop for special events such as weddings and seminars. It is one of the most beautiful monuments in Andorra
Prominent Features:

, the Vall del Madriu-Perafita-Claror is an iconic cultural landscape. This protected area was made a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2004 and is the largest in the country. It is located in the Pyrénées, specifically between the parishes of Ordino, La Massana, Canillo, and Encamp. The vall includes two alpine valleys among many others, the Valira del Norte and the Valira d’Orient. It is known for its wild beauty and its evergreen pine-and-beech tree forests, as well as its two rivers. It is also home to homespun architecture and centuries-old woods. Here, there are no large towns or cities, as it is a paradise for those who appreciate nature and peace. Its craggy mountains, glacial lakes, and clear streams draw in many hikers and tourists. The vall also includes rare and endemic species of animals and plants. The citizens of Andorra take great pride in preserving Vall del Madriu-Perafita-Claror, and recognize its importance to the Andorran people and eastern Pyrénées. You can learn history, culture, and heritage through these magnificent monuments in Andorra.

History:

The valley of Madriu-Perafita-Claror is one of the four mountainous core areas of Andorra, located in the southeast of the Principality. It was inscribed on the World Heritage List and declared a Biosphere Reserve in 2004. The area has been inhabited for thousands of years and it is rich in cultural heritage, being one of the oldest valleys in Europe. The valley was populated by both Iberians and Romans, as well as by shepherds in the Middle Ages and later by settlers from France and the Aranese. The valley was first mentioned in 1268 AD, when a document from the Monastery of Sant Pere was written, which mentioned the valley of Madriu. This document was the first written reference to the development and ownership of the lands located in the valley by the Monastery. The valley was then the property of the feudal lords of the Pyrenees. During the Spanish Civil War (1936-1939), part of the valley, including the Madriu Plain, became the refuge and hiding place of the retreating Republican government. The valley is now owned by the Government of Andorra, held by “The Water and Forestry Service of the General Council of Andorra”, and it is managed by the National Trust of Andorra. The visitors of the valley can witness the rich and diverse cultural heritage of the area, on both human and environmental aspects. There is also an ongoing conservation program for the protection and preservation of the natural environment and for the promotion of sustainable use of the resources of the valley. The area is home to some of the most important trails and viewpoints in Andorra, which attract a great number of tourists each year. Madriu-Perafita-Claror is a unique site, offering a unique experience of the natural, historical, and cultural heritage of the area. Visit one of the famous monuments of Andorra with your friends and family.

Interesting facts:

1. Vall del Madriu-Perafita-Claror is the largest and most important valley in Andorra. 2. The valley is a Unesco World Heritage site, recognised for its cultural significance and its unique landscape. 3. The valley is home to some of the highest peaks in the Pyrenees, with the most famous being Pic de Comapedrosa, standing at 2,942 meters above sea level. 4. The valley is also home to the Sant Corneli-Perafita-Claror hamlet, where you can find the historic and cultural remains of the old mountain community. 5. The valley is popular with nature lovers and hikers offering a vast area of diverse landscapes, mountain peaks, meadows, forests and rivers. 6. The valley is an important tourism attraction in the Principality of Andorra and is home to a wide variety of fauna and flora, including wild animals such as the Pyrenean chamois, the marmots, the Iberian mountain goat, and the golden eagle. 7. The valley is also renowned for its centuries-old monuments, traditions, and gastronomic heritage, making the experience of visiting it a unique and unforgettable one. One of the historical monuments of Andorra, it tells the story of a bygone era