Andorra – Cultural

Andorra's culture has many influences from Spain, France and Portugal. The official spoken language is Catalan (Català). It is a Romantic language closely related to Provencal but with hints of Castalian and French. Until the 1950 the population was around 6000 but today only two thirds of the residents are nationals, the rest are mainly Spanish, French and Portuguese. Andorran cuisine is mostly Catalan with influences from France and Italy. Food is typically meat and fish served with a sauce and pasta is common. The local dish is cunnillo (rabbit in a tomato sauce), xai (roast lamb), trinxat ( potatoes, bacon and cabbage) and escudella (chicken, sausage and meatball stew).

Andorra's independence is credited to Charlemagne, who captured the region from the Muslims in 803 AD. Louis the Pious presented the area's inhabitants with a charter of liberties. The Paretages (the Acts of Joint Overlordship) was the country's first constitutional document. It was drawn up in 1278 and 1288 to settle conflicting claims of seigniorial rights made by the Catholic Bishop of Urgell and the Count of Foix in France. These agreements form the basis of Andorra's government to this day and are among the oldest such documents still in force.

Visit the Old Quarter Barri in the heart of Andorra la Vella. It is little more than a small Pyrenean village with narrow cobblestone streets lined with old traditional stone houses. The pride of the Barri Antic is the House of the Valley or Casa de la Vall. Constructed in 1580. In 1702 it was bought by the General Council and is now the seat of the Andorran Parliament. Cultural events take place in the large public square at Plaça la Poble, bordered by a theatre and music academy. This is a popular spot with the locals in the evening. East of Andorra la Vella is the Les Escaldes, a Caldea Health Spa, one of Europe's largest health spas enclosed in what looks like a cathedral. A cultural holiday is the perfect way to relax and embrace the cultural heritage of Andorra while learning something new. We have a number of wonderful villas, houses and apartments all perfectly positioned for you to embark on your cultural holiday. Simply choose your destination and we are sure you will find your ideal villa easily.