Andorra la Vella (Andorra) (October 2024) (Part 1)

=> Photos from October 2024

Andorra la Vella (in Spanish Andorra la Vieja) is the national capital and one of the seven parishes (municipalities) of the Principality of Andorra (Europe). The name 'Andorra la Vella' is relatively recent, dating back to the late 18th century, and it derives from the traditional name for the capital: the Vila d'Andorra (the Town of Andorra) or also called Andorra la Vila (Andorra the Town). Today, it serves as the nerve center of the country, the political, cultural, and commercial capital of Andorra, and the most populated urban area in the Pyrenees. Along with the neighboring city and parish of Escaldes-Engordany, it forms a conurbation of over 30,000 inhabitants commonly known as 'the Metropolis of the Pyrenees'.

It has a population (according to data from 2023) of 24,042 inhabitants and an area of 12 km² (this is the least extensive and most populated parish in all of Andorra).

The beautiful Archpriest Church of Andorra la Vella is dedicated to Sant Esteve (Saint Stephen); it was built in the 12th century and is in the Pyrenean Romanesque style. The patron saint of Andorra la Vella is Sant Esteve (Saint Stephen), and the national patroness of Andorra (and the Valleys of Andorra) is the revered Virgin of Meritxell (her name means 'midday light'). The Festa Major (Major Festival) of Andorra la Vella is celebrated around August 2nd; and the National Festival of Andorra, honoring the Virgin of Meritxell, is celebrated on September 8th (that day is a holiday throughout Andorra).