The Principality of Andorra, one of Europe's dwarf states! The crown jewel of the principality is its official capital, Andorra la Vella!
On the way to Andorra:
The city is located in the Pyrenees at an altitude of 1,079 meters, at the confluence of two rivers that form the Valira River. The small town of Escaldes, which is located at an altitude of over 1,000 meters, is often considered an extension of Andorra la Vella. Escaldes is separated from the capital of Andorra by a mountain river, over which a bridge is built.
Andorra la Vella is the highest capital in Europe! Many people come to Andorra for skiing. The ski season here runs from December to April.
We drove to Andorra from Barcelona to see the capital and its surroundings.
The distance is about 200 km. We weren't stopped at the border; it was a random check.
The city's history dates back to 805 AD, when it was first mentioned in chronicles. Its formation began with a small community founded by shepherds and peasants from Catalonia. Neighboring states—France and Spain—continued their attempts to subjugate this new territorial entity with its rudiments of statehood. Ultimately, a protectorate of both countries was established here.
Almost half of the capital's residents are native Andorrans, while the rest are from France, Spain, and many other European countries. They speak Catalan, French, and Spanish.
Andorra la Vella is a major transit route from south to north. There are no large industrial facilities that pollute the environment. The capital's manufacturing sector includes a tobacco factory, a lime factory, a food processing plant, a spinning and carding mill, and a woodworking plant.
The city consists of several "large" parallel streets and many alleys.
The bridge over the Valira River, Pont de París, is one of the most famous and popular places in Andorra.
There is also the Madrid Bridge with a similar design, at the southern entrance to the city.
The composition "The Nobility of Time" ("La noblesse du temps") is a monument to Salvador Dalí. It stands in the very center of the city on Passatge Meritxell. It is a gift to the capital from Enrique Sabater, the artist's former personal assistant.
Andorra has a Caldea spa center, located in Escaldes, a suburb of the capital. Caldea is the largest thermal spa complex in Western Europe.
Source: travel.ru
