Lleida

One of the provinces of the autonomous state of Catalonia, Lleida borders other Spanish provinces Gerona, Barcelona, Tarragona, Zaragoza, Huesca, and

it also borders France and Andorra. The capital city, located in Segrià, is also named Lleida and is the demographic, economic, and cultural nucleus of the interior of Catalonia, extending great influence over this large territory: from the Pyrenese mountains, to the Ebro river, with strong historical and linguistic links to neighbouring autonomous state Aragón.

The diverse landscapes of this region make up a vast natural playground for many activities such as skiing, and many other adventurous outdoor sports, and is easily reached from Barcelona. Recommended excursions include hiking along the Segre river, admiring the landscapes of “regiones secas”, visiting the unique humid regions of la Mitjana, Utxesa, Bajo Cinca, or the extensive plains formed in Oligoscenic and Miocenic epoch, over 20-40 million years ago! These plains cover the majority of southern Lleida consist of aluvial material deposited primarily from the Segre and Ebro rivers.

One hour away by car, it is also possible to visit the mesozoic formations of Montsec, which is home to a great Natural Science museum specializing in to geology and paleontology. Very close to there also, is the Boí Valley, declared a world herritage site by UNESCO, where you can discover many important monuments of Roman times in Catalonia, or the mountainous Aran valley with it’s own regional language Aranés.

Also visit the Aiguësstortes i Estany de Sant Maurici national park, or the Mequinenza dam, on the Segre river, which is a fantastic spot for fishing / fly-fishing.

Returning to the city of Lleida, like in Barcelona, one will see great examples of gothic architecture visiting the monastaries Vallbona de les Monges, Santes Creus i Poblet, and La Seu Vella. As this city is an amalgamation of cultures that have inhabited over the ages, it therefore boasts an abundant heritage, as well as offers many clues to the evolution and coexistence of its original settlers.

Like Barcelona, Lleida is a dynamic and modern city, with a high level of equipment and services that extend their scope of influence toward the neighboring regions of Aragón as well as the provinces of Tarragona, Barcelona and Girona, thus turning it into capital of west Catalonia. More and more, Lleida projects its image as a city destined of for wealth in tourism and commerce.

At the moment, the city of Lleida has adapted its infrastructures in order to welcome the various outside districts that are now been linked to the center of Lleida, thanks to a series a bridges errected: Pont Nou bridge (1973), Pont Universitat (1993), Pont de Pardinyes (1995), the Footbridge of Blondel (1997) and the recently inaugurated Footbridge of the Avenue of the Segre (2003).

It’s vision of the future can be seen by recent urban projects such as: the bridges and footbridges over the system of canalization of the Segre, the new theatre Teatro de l’Escorxador, the Enric Granados auditorium, construction of modern public facilities in all neighborhoods, the ever growing environmental concern of the population, as well as the recovery of their traditional yearly festival. Such movement and growth has influenced neighboring counties to follow suite, and Lleida has therefore converted itself into the capital of all of western Catalonia.

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