Sunday, May 28, 2023

The Fallas of the Pyrenees - Intangible Cultural Heritage

"We will set fire to the Faro and we will draw in the darkness of the mountain the path of fire that will guide us to run throughout the town until we will all light a bonfire that will give way to the dance night."

This fragment, translated from the original in Catalan, extracted from the festival program d'Erill la Vall, located in the Boí Valley, explains very well what the Fallas of the Pyrenees are.

The Faro is a pine tree that is planted in a high place, visible from the town in question, to which a fire is set to ignite all the Fallas. The Fallas are pieces of pine wood attached with wire to a straight ash branch.

All the Fallaires descend from the Faro to the town drawing figures of fire in the night and screaming like possessed, then they walk the streets streets of the town, embers falling everywhere, to end up piling up what remains of the Fallas and forming a great bonfire that begins the town's festivities.

The show, of great visual beauty and in many cases not too crowded, can be found in many towns in the Lleida Pyrenees during the months of June and July.

The Fallas of the Pyrenees are intangible cultural heritage of humanity.

Tuesday, May 16, 2023

Les Avellanes Monastery

At Les Avellanes Monastery, we can have a spiritual retreat, living together with the Marist brothers, or simply stay in one of their austere yet well-equipped double rooms.

In the cloister restaurant, which follows European schedules, we can taste dishes typical of the Noguera region, made with local products, as well as the monastery's wine and honey.

The well-maintained and organized space, located by the roadside but away from crowds, invites us to tranquility.

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Open Doors

The monastery was founded during the Reconquista as a cultural identity element to consolidate the territory. Currently, the 17th-century door located at the entrance symbolizes that the monastery is open to everybody.

Three Unique Trees

These three 400-year-old hackberry symbolize that in the monastery, food and drink are provided, and accommodation is available.

The monastery cloister

The cloister is the structuring element of the monastery. To the east, where the first light of the day arrives, you can find the apse and the dormitories. To the south, there are the spaces that require light throughout the day, such as the library and the dining hall. To the west, there is the kitchen where we want there to be light in the evening. Finally, to the north, there are the storerooms where we want to keep things cool.

Its gothic church

The restaurant

The monastery kitchen has been converted into a restaurant.

The vineyards

The monastery produces wine with the Costers del Segre denomination of origin with the help of the Cooperativa de Artesa de Segre.

Multipurpose spaces

The monastery has different spaces that can be used to carry out any type of activity, from oil tasting to company meetings.

What can I do in the Lands of Lleida?

Discover the natural wonders and cultural treasures of les Terres de Lleida, where ancient heritage blends with breathtaking landscapes ...