Discover 15 hidden attractions, cool sights, and unusual things to do in Lleida (Spain). Don't miss out on these must-see attractions: Old Cathedral of Lleida, La Llotja de Lleida, and Pedestrian Bridge over Segre River. Also, be sure to include Camp d'Esports in your itinerary.
Below, you can find the list of the most amazing places you should visit in Lleida (Catalonia).
Table of Contents
Old Cathedral of Lleida
Also known as: Catedral de la Seo Vieja
Hilltop 18th-century cathedral. The Cathedral of St. Mary of la Seu Vella is the former cathedral church of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Lleida, in Lleida, Catalonia, Spain, located on top of Lleida hill.
In 1707, the Gothic cathedral was turned into a military citadel by decision of King Philip V of Spain. The new cathedral, known as the Seu Nova (New See) and located downhill at Carrer Major, was consecrated in 1781.
Nevertheless, the Seu Vella is the defining monument of Lleida, the symbol of the city, being visible from its hilltop site anywhere in the city.[1]
Address: Calle Turó de la Seu Vella, 25002 Lleida
La Llotja de Lleida
Also known as: La Lonja de Lérida
Theatre in Lleida, Spain. La Llotja de Lleida is a theatre and congress centre in Lleida. It opened its doors in January 2010, and is owned by the city council. Giuseppe Verdi's Il Trovatore premiered there on 21 January that year. Its two congress halls, called A and B, have capacity for 400 and 200 people, while the main auditory, Sala Ricard Vinyes, has 1000 seats. It's located in Pardinyes, next to the river Segre and the Lleida Pirineus railway station, on the site of a former municipal market.
The animation film festival Animac moved to La Llotja de Lleida in February 2010, on the occasion of its 14th edition.
On 23 March 2010, King Juan Carlos and Queen Sophia of Spain had officially opened La Llotja de Lleida.[2]
Address: Avinguda de Tortosa, 6, 25005 Lleida
Pedestrian Bridge over Segre River
Pedestrian Bridge over the Segre River is a bridge in Lleida, Catalonia, Spain. In 2000, Lleida City Council organized an open competition for a new pedestrian bridge. The pedestrian bridge outstands with sober lines, landscape architectural features, and delicate details. It is meant to mark the doorway into The Campus and achieve a double function: communication and public space.[3]
Camp d'Esports
Stadium in Lleida, Spain. Camp d'Esports is a multi-use stadium in Lleida, Catalonia. It is currently used mostly for football matches and is the home ground of Lleida Esportiu. The stadium holds 13,500 seats, and the dimensions for the football field are 102x68 meters. The architect responsible for the project was Adrian Florensa.
The construction of the stadium begun in 1918 and finished in 1919. On January 1, 1919 the sports complex named "Camp d'Esports" was officially opened. It underwent extensive renovations in 1993 and 1994.[4]
Address: Av. Doctor Fleming, 25008 Lleida
Fountain of the Mermaid of Lleida
Also known as: Fuente de la Sirena de Lérida
Historic fountain . The Fountain of the Mermaid of Lleida is a fountain located in the Parc des Champs Elysees in Lleida, Catalonia, Spain. It features a mermaid holding in a hand a conch, which released the water. The fountain is surrounded by a garden.
It once took the form of a nymph, which was replaced by a mermaid in 1982, due to the deterioration of the original statue. This is the most famous monument in the park, and the second most visited site in the city, behind the cathedral La Seu Vella.[5]
Church of Sant Llorenç
Also known as: Iglesia de San Lorenzo
Church in Lleida, Spain. Sant Llorenç is a Romanesque church in Lleida dating from the late 12th century, with Gothic additions from the 15th century. The initial architects of the church were Pere de Coma, the master of works who in charge of La Seu Vella, the old cathedral of Lleida. It has a nave and two aisles, built with the same height, and three apses; the nave is in the Romanesque style, whereas the aisles are Gothic, as is the octagonal bell tower. In 2002 part of the church was refurbished.[6]
Address: Plaça Sant Josep, 4, 25002 Lleida
Lleida Museum
Also known as: Museo de Lérida Diocesano y Comarcal
Museum in Lleida, Spain. Lleida Museum, officially the Diocesan and Comarcal Lleida Museum, is an art and history museum located in Lleida, Catalonia, Spain.
It is owned by the Generalitat de Catalunya, the Lleida city council, Roman Catholic Diocese of Lleida and the comarcal council of Segrià, of which Lleida is the capital. The museum was established in 1997, while the current building in Rambla d'Aragó was inaugurated in 2007. It assembles a variety of collections, including Roman, Islamic, Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque art. The museum was controversial from its onset: some of the pieces on display were found in the Catalan-speaking part of Aragon known as Franja de Ponent, adjacent to Lleida and previously belonging to its local diocese, which however were segregated by Vatican decree in 1995, and now belong to the neighbouring Roman Catholic Diocese of Barbastro-Monzón, a merger of former dioceses. They have been claimed by Aragonese institutions ever since.[7]
Address: Carrer del Sant Crist, 1, 25002 Lérida
Museu d'Art Jaume Morera
Also known as: Museo de Arte Jaime Morera
Museum in Lleida, Spain. The Museu d'Art Jaume Morera is a museum in Lleida created by the Diputació de Lleida and the Lleida City Council with the collaboration of the painter Jaume Morera i Galícia. It is the museum of modern and contemporary art of the city of Lleida. Today is municipally owned and receives financial support from the Diputació de Lleida and the Department of Culture of the Generalitat of Catalonia. Its entrance is free.[8]
Address: Carrer Major, 31, 25007 Lleida
CaixaForum Lleida
Cultural center in Lleida, Spain. CaixaForum is a cultural centre managed by Fundación “La Caixa” located in 3 Avinguda de Blondel, in the city of Lleida, cornering Avinguda de Madrid, in the building popularly known as Montepío after the former name of a bank located in this building. The building which was the site of Cine Viñes became the cultural centre of Fundación “La Caixa” in 1989, so we can say that this building has always been related to cultural activities. It was later renamed in 2008 to keep the same naming convention of other centres from La Caixa.[9]
Address: Avinguda de Blondel, 3, 25002 Lleida
La Paeria
Also known as: Palacio de la Paeria
City or town hall in Lleida, Spain. The Palace of La Paeria is the name the city hall of Lleida, Catalonia, Spain, which currently houses the city council. The see is located on Plaça de la Paeria. Lleida's mayor is called Paer en cap, a term also used for Cervera's mayor. The term paer derives from Latin paciarum, meaning "man of peace". This title was given to Lleida's mayor as a special privilege by king James I The Conqueror in 1264.
Lleida's Paeria is an example of Catalan Gothic. The façade includes all of the usual elements found in the works of this medieval architectural school[10]
Address: Plaza la Paeria, 25007 Lleida
Auditori Enric Granados
Also known as: Auditorio Municipal Enric Granados
Auditorium in Lleida, Spain. Auditori Enric Granados is the main concert hall in Lleida also hosting the city's music conservatory. It contains a symphonic hall with 803 seats and a chamber music hall with a capacity of 245. This music institution is named after the composer Enric Granados, who was born in Lleida in 1867. Located on Plaça Mossèn Cinto Verdaguer, the building was designed by local architects Ramon Artigues and Ramon Sanabria and opened in 1994 after ten years of construction and was officially inaugurated by Queen Sofía of Spain on 14 February 1995. Ancient remains of Lleida were found under the venue.
The building was used as the primary location for the short film Sonata in Motion. The venue has held many concerts by Spanish singers, such as Luz Casal or El Cigala.[11]
New Cathedral of Lleida
Also known as: Catedral Nueva
Large cathedral with neoclassical flair. The New Cathedral of Lleida or Seu Nova is the seat of the Bishop of Lleida, located in Lleida, Catalonia.[12]
Address: Plaza de la Catedral, 25002 Lleida
Centre d'Art la Panera
Art museum in Lleida, Spain. The Centre d'Art la Panera is an art museum in Lleida, Catalonia, Spain. It's named after Carrer de la Panera, the street where it's located, in the old-town area known as Els Vins.
Opened in 1997, with the introduction of the Leandre Cristòfol biennial, it is located in a building (the town's corn exchange) dating from the 12th century, in the medieval area of the town. Its individual exhibitions focus on contemporary art, especially Spanish artists, of which the museum includes a solid permanent collection, as well as educational activities and a documentation centre. Artists whose work has been the subject of exhibitions in La Panera include Alicia Framis, Cabello/Carceller or Antoni Abad.[13]
Address: Plaça Panera, 2, 25002 Lleida
Institut d'Estudis Ilerdencs
Also known as: Instituto de Estudios Ilerdenses
Tourist attraction in Lleida, Spain. Institut d'Estudis Ilerdencs, also known by the acronym IEI, is a cultural institution created on March 25, 1942 in Lleida, Catalonia, Spain by the provincial delegation, then under the leadership of Josep Maria de Porcioles, with the aim of promoting culture and research in the region of Lleida. This institution has been linked since its conception to the Spanish National Research Council. Since 1943 it has issued the magazine Ilerda.[14]
Address: Plaça de la Catedral, 0, 25001 Lleida
Pavelló Barris Nord
Also known as: Pabellón Barris Nord
Arena in Lleida, Spain. Pavelló Barris Nord is an arena in Lleida, Catalonia, Spain. It is primarily used for basketball games and the home arena of Força Lleida CE.[15]