La Seu d'Urgell
Encyclopedia
La Seu d'Urgell is a town located in the Catalan
Pyrenees
in Spain
. La Seu d'Urgell is also the capital of the comarca
Alt Urgell
, head of the judicial district of la Seu d'Urgell and the seat of Bishop of Urgell, one of the Andorra
co-princes. It is in the district of Alt Pirineu i Aran
(High Pyrenees and Aran), and is the town with the most inhabitants, having 17.4% of the district population. La Seu d'Urgell and Puigcerdà
together have 30% of the population of the area.
It is located at the confluence of the Segre
and the Valira
rivers. The city is in the local region of Urgellet
, a Pyrenean
region formed by 16 municipalities of Alt Urgell
. Urgellet and Andorra were the originary County of Urgell with capital in la Seu d'Urgell before the county expansion to the south.
Alt Urgell
is the gateway to the state of Andorra
and the proximity to this important population center and economic activity is largely one of the reasons for the current drive of the city of la Seu d'Urgell within Alt Pirineu i Aran
.
The town's patron saints are Saint Ot of Urgell
, Saint Sebastian, and the Virgin of Urgell. While the Virgin of Núria and Sant Ermengol are the main patrons of the diocese of Urgell
. Sant Ermengol is the most prominent in the city than other patrons. Probably that's why there are various events throughout the year dedicated to Sant Ermengol, such as the Sant Ermengol Fair, one of the oldest in Catalonia
, and the altarpiece of Sant Ermengol.
The Parc Olímpic del Segre
, built in 1992 for the Barcelona Summer Olympic Games
, is a pump-driven canoe and kayak sports venue located adjacent to the historical centre of la Seu d'Urgell.
"Sedes", and Urgell a pre-Roman name. Joan Coromines, a linguist, interprets that the name is related to the presence of water.
The Iberian settlement of Arse-durgui (or Arse d'Urgui) was on the hill of Castellciutat
. At that time the hill was called Puiolo Urgelli. Where there was the village of Arse-durgui they built the city of Urgell (in Latin civitas Orgellia and in Catalan ciutat d'Urgell) and here lies the origin of the name Castellciutat
. Until the eighteenth century the town was known simply as "Ciutat" (City in English) and Castell (Castle) was added because the existence of an ancient castle that was home of the Counts of Urgell
.
Shortly after the destruction of the former Orgellia it was created a new neighborhood, new home of the Diocese of Urgell, called vicus Sedes Urgelli denotes that the town is the episcopal see
of the Bishop of Urgell
.
Over time, Sedes Urgelli took importance and lost the word vicus (denotes that it was a district) while civitas Orgellia lost the word Orgellia and becomes simply Civitas until the 18th century.
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The city is at the confluence of two rivers, the Segre
and Valira
, located in a plain 7 km long and 691 meters high surrounded by high mountains, such as the Cadí mountain range. The plain is called plana de la Seu and was formed by the Segre
river.
Because it is located at one of the major crossroads of communication in the Catalan Pyrenees
, la Seu d'Urgell has had a unique and historic role in the county of Urgell. The roads to Andorra
, Cerdanya
and the low Segre
all converge on la Seu d'Urgell.
Parallel to the Valira
river rises a mountain range, where stand the remains of two great fortresses, the Ciutadella and Ciutat Castle (in Castellciutat
), both of historic importance in the town. Small banks or open plains around the Segre are separated by gorges.
In the north, La Seu d'Urgell has borders with the municipality of les Valls de Valira
, to the west with Montferrer i Castellbò
where there is La Seu d'Urgell Airport (also known as Andorra-Pirineus airport), to the south-west with Ribera d'Urgellet
, to the south-east with Alàs i Cerc
, and to the north-east with Estamariu
.
, the area hosts 6.6% of the exhibitions and other civic activities in Catalonia
. In la Seu d'Urgell, there are numerous fairs and markets throughout the year:
.jpg)
course, Parc Olímpic del Segre
, the town hosted the canoe slalom events for the 1992 Summer Olympics
in neighboring Barcelona
. It hosted the ICF Canoe Slalom World Championships
in 1999
and again in 2009
.
Incorporation of the municipality of les Torres (1857), Castellciutat (1975).
Catalonia
Catalonia is an autonomous community in northeastern Spain, with the official status of a "nationality" of Spain. Catalonia comprises four provinces: Barcelona, Girona, Lleida, and Tarragona. Its capital and largest city is Barcelona. Catalonia covers an area of 32,114 km² and has an...
Pyrenees
Pyrenees
The Pyrenees is a range of mountains in southwest Europe that forms a natural border between France and Spain...
in Spain
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
. La Seu d'Urgell is also the capital of the comarca
Comarques of Catalonia
This is a list of the comarques of Catalonia . A comarca is roughly equivalent to a US "county" or a UK "district". However, in the context of Catalonia, the term "county" can be a bit misleading, because in medieval Catalonia, the most important rulers were counts, notably the Counts of Barcelona...
Alt Urgell
Alt Urgell
Alt Urgell is a comarca in Catalonia, Spain, a modern representation of part of the historic County of Urgell , seat of the Counts of Urgell and the historic region of Urgellet.- Municipalities :...
, head of the judicial district of la Seu d'Urgell and the seat of Bishop of Urgell, one of the Andorra
Andorra
Andorra , officially the Principality of Andorra , also called the Principality of the Valleys of Andorra, , is a small landlocked country in southwestern Europe, located in the eastern Pyrenees mountains and bordered by Spain and France. It is the sixth smallest nation in Europe having an area of...
co-princes. It is in the district of Alt Pirineu i Aran
Alt Pirineu i Aran
Alt Pirineu i Aran is one of the seven vegueries defined by the Regional Plan of Catalonia. It is located in the Catalan High Pyrenees ....
(High Pyrenees and Aran), and is the town with the most inhabitants, having 17.4% of the district population. La Seu d'Urgell and Puigcerdà
Puigcerdà
Puigcerdà is the capital of the Catalan comarca of Cerdanya, in the province of Girona, Catalonia, northern Spain, near the river Segre and the border with France .- History :...
together have 30% of the population of the area.
It is located at the confluence of the Segre
Segre
Segre may be* Beniamino Segre , Italian geometer* Corrado Segre , Italian geometer distantly related to Beniamino* Emilio Segrè , Italian American physicist* Segre River, a river in Catalonia...
and the Valira
Valira
Valira may refer to:* Valira, Greece* Gran Valira, the largest river in Andorra...
rivers. The city is in the local region of Urgellet
Urgellet
Urgellet is an historical territory and a natural comarca or region of Catalonia. It is located in the Pyrenees exactly in the actual administrative comarca of Alt Urgell, that last includes Baridà, Urgellet and the banks of Oliana, Peramola and Bassella....
, a Pyrenean
Pyrenees
The Pyrenees is a range of mountains in southwest Europe that forms a natural border between France and Spain...
region formed by 16 municipalities of Alt Urgell
Alt Urgell
Alt Urgell is a comarca in Catalonia, Spain, a modern representation of part of the historic County of Urgell , seat of the Counts of Urgell and the historic region of Urgellet.- Municipalities :...
. Urgellet and Andorra were the originary County of Urgell with capital in la Seu d'Urgell before the county expansion to the south.
Alt Urgell
Alt Urgell
Alt Urgell is a comarca in Catalonia, Spain, a modern representation of part of the historic County of Urgell , seat of the Counts of Urgell and the historic region of Urgellet.- Municipalities :...
is the gateway to the state of Andorra
Andorra
Andorra , officially the Principality of Andorra , also called the Principality of the Valleys of Andorra, , is a small landlocked country in southwestern Europe, located in the eastern Pyrenees mountains and bordered by Spain and France. It is the sixth smallest nation in Europe having an area of...
and the proximity to this important population center and economic activity is largely one of the reasons for the current drive of the city of la Seu d'Urgell within Alt Pirineu i Aran
Alt Pirineu i Aran
Alt Pirineu i Aran is one of the seven vegueries defined by the Regional Plan of Catalonia. It is located in the Catalan High Pyrenees ....
.
The town's patron saints are Saint Ot of Urgell
Ot of Urgell
Ot of Urgell was a bishop of Urgell; he was from the family of the counts of Pallars Sobirà. He is buried in the monastery of Santa Maria de Gerri. In 1133 his successor declared him to be a saint, and he is venerated as such today. Ot is one of the patron saints of the town of La Seu...
, Saint Sebastian, and the Virgin of Urgell. While the Virgin of Núria and Sant Ermengol are the main patrons of the diocese of Urgell
Diocese of Urgell
The Diocese of Urgell is a Roman Catholic diocese in Catalonia, Spain, with origins in the fifth century AD or possibly earlier. It is based in the region of the historical Catalan county of Urgell, though it has different borders...
. Sant Ermengol is the most prominent in the city than other patrons. Probably that's why there are various events throughout the year dedicated to Sant Ermengol, such as the Sant Ermengol Fair, one of the oldest in Catalonia
Catalonia
Catalonia is an autonomous community in northeastern Spain, with the official status of a "nationality" of Spain. Catalonia comprises four provinces: Barcelona, Girona, Lleida, and Tarragona. Its capital and largest city is Barcelona. Catalonia covers an area of 32,114 km² and has an...
, and the altarpiece of Sant Ermengol.
The Parc Olímpic del Segre
Parc Olímpic del Segre
Parc Olímpic del Segre is a canoeing and kayaking facility in La Seu d'Urgell, Catalonia, Spain, built in 1990 for use during the 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona....
, built in 1992 for the Barcelona Summer Olympic Games
1992 Summer Olympics
The 1992 Summer Olympic Games, officially known as the Games of the XXV Olympiad, were an international multi-sport event celebrated in Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain, in 1992. The International Olympic Committee voted in 1986 to separate the Summer and Winter Games, which had been held in the same...
, is a pump-driven canoe and kayak sports venue located adjacent to the historical centre of la Seu d'Urgell.
Name origins
The name la Seu d'Urgell, in Latin Sedes Urgelli, is formed by two different words: Seu from the LatinLatin
Latin is an Italic language originally spoken in Latium and Ancient Rome. It, along with most European languages, is a descendant of the ancient Proto-Indo-European language. Although it is considered a dead language, a number of scholars and members of the Christian clergy speak it fluently, and...
"Sedes", and Urgell a pre-Roman name. Joan Coromines, a linguist, interprets that the name is related to the presence of water.
The Iberian settlement of Arse-durgui (or Arse d'Urgui) was on the hill of Castellciutat
Castellciutat
Castellciutat is a village in the municipality of la Seu d'Urgell . In the past it was called Ciutat but is now called either Ciutat or Castellciutat. It has a population of 451 inhabitants....
. At that time the hill was called Puiolo Urgelli. Where there was the village of Arse-durgui they built the city of Urgell (in Latin civitas Orgellia and in Catalan ciutat d'Urgell) and here lies the origin of the name Castellciutat
Castellciutat
Castellciutat is a village in the municipality of la Seu d'Urgell . In the past it was called Ciutat but is now called either Ciutat or Castellciutat. It has a population of 451 inhabitants....
. Until the eighteenth century the town was known simply as "Ciutat" (City in English) and Castell (Castle) was added because the existence of an ancient castle that was home of the Counts of Urgell
Counts of Urgell
This is a list of the counts of Urgell.-ca. 798-870 Counts appointed by the Carolingians:*798-820 Borrell, count of Urgell and Cerdanya*820-824 Aznar I Galíndez, count of Aragon, was given Borrell's counties while he was exiled from Aragon...
.
Shortly after the destruction of the former Orgellia it was created a new neighborhood, new home of the Diocese of Urgell, called vicus Sedes Urgelli denotes that the town is the episcopal see
Episcopal See
An episcopal see is, in the original sense, the official seat of a bishop. This seat, which is also referred to as the bishop's cathedra, is placed in the bishop's principal church, which is therefore called the bishop's cathedral...
of the Bishop of Urgell
Diocese of Urgell
The Diocese of Urgell is a Roman Catholic diocese in Catalonia, Spain, with origins in the fifth century AD or possibly earlier. It is based in the region of the historical Catalan county of Urgell, though it has different borders...
.
Over time, Sedes Urgelli took importance and lost the word vicus (denotes that it was a district) while civitas Orgellia lost the word Orgellia and becomes simply Civitas until the 18th century.
Location
Segre
Segre may be* Beniamino Segre , Italian geometer* Corrado Segre , Italian geometer distantly related to Beniamino* Emilio Segrè , Italian American physicist* Segre River, a river in Catalonia...
and Valira
Valira
Valira may refer to:* Valira, Greece* Gran Valira, the largest river in Andorra...
, located in a plain 7 km long and 691 meters high surrounded by high mountains, such as the Cadí mountain range. The plain is called plana de la Seu and was formed by the Segre
Segre
Segre may be* Beniamino Segre , Italian geometer* Corrado Segre , Italian geometer distantly related to Beniamino* Emilio Segrè , Italian American physicist* Segre River, a river in Catalonia...
river.
Because it is located at one of the major crossroads of communication in the Catalan Pyrenees
Pyrenees
The Pyrenees is a range of mountains in southwest Europe that forms a natural border between France and Spain...
, la Seu d'Urgell has had a unique and historic role in the county of Urgell. The roads to Andorra
Andorra
Andorra , officially the Principality of Andorra , also called the Principality of the Valleys of Andorra, , is a small landlocked country in southwestern Europe, located in the eastern Pyrenees mountains and bordered by Spain and France. It is the sixth smallest nation in Europe having an area of...
, Cerdanya
Cerdanya
Cerdanya is a natural comarca and historical region of the eastern Pyrenees divided between France and Spain. Historically it has been one of the counties of Catalonia....
and the low Segre
Segre
Segre may be* Beniamino Segre , Italian geometer* Corrado Segre , Italian geometer distantly related to Beniamino* Emilio Segrè , Italian American physicist* Segre River, a river in Catalonia...
all converge on la Seu d'Urgell.
Parallel to the Valira
Valira
Valira may refer to:* Valira, Greece* Gran Valira, the largest river in Andorra...
river rises a mountain range, where stand the remains of two great fortresses, the Ciutadella and Ciutat Castle (in Castellciutat
Castellciutat
Castellciutat is a village in the municipality of la Seu d'Urgell . In the past it was called Ciutat but is now called either Ciutat or Castellciutat. It has a population of 451 inhabitants....
), both of historic importance in the town. Small banks or open plains around the Segre are separated by gorges.
In the north, La Seu d'Urgell has borders with the municipality of les Valls de Valira
Les Valls de Valira
Les Valls de Valira is a municipality in the comarca of the Alt Urgell in Catalonia, Spain....
, to the west with Montferrer i Castellbò
Montferrer i Castellbò
Montferrer i Castellbò is a municipality in the comarca of Alt Urgell, Lleida, Catalonia, Spain.Montferrer i Castellbò towns:*La Seu d'Urgell Airport or Andorra-Pirineus Airport*Aravell*Bellestar*Montferrer de Segre*Sant Joan de l'Erm...
where there is La Seu d'Urgell Airport (also known as Andorra-Pirineus airport), to the south-west with Ribera d'Urgellet
Ribera d'Urgellet
Ribera d'Urgellet is a municipality in the comarca of the Alt Urgell in Catalonia, Spain....
, to the south-east with Alàs i Cerc
Alàs i Cerc
Alàs i Cerc is a municipality in the comarca of Alt Urgell, Lleida, Catalonia, Spain....
, and to the north-east with Estamariu
Estamariu
Estamariu is a municipality in the comarca of Alt Urgell, Lleida, Catalonia, Spain....
.
La Seu d'Urgell municipality
- Bell-lloc.
- CastellciutatCastellciutatCastellciutat is a village in the municipality of la Seu d'Urgell . In the past it was called Ciutat but is now called either Ciutat or Castellciutat. It has a population of 451 inhabitants....
(a village). - Les Torres.
- La Seu d'Urgell districts:
- Sant Antoni.
- Sant Pere.
- Poble-sec.
- La Seu d'Urgell:
- Santa Magdalena.
- Serrat de la Capella.
- Eixample Bergós (non-official).
- Casc antic (Town center historic district in English) (non-official).
Fairs, festivals and markets
Despite the low population density of Alt Pirineu i AranAlt Pirineu i Aran
Alt Pirineu i Aran is one of the seven vegueries defined by the Regional Plan of Catalonia. It is located in the Catalan High Pyrenees ....
, the area hosts 6.6% of the exhibitions and other civic activities in Catalonia
Catalonia
Catalonia is an autonomous community in northeastern Spain, with the official status of a "nationality" of Spain. Catalonia comprises four provinces: Barcelona, Girona, Lleida, and Tarragona. Its capital and largest city is Barcelona. Catalonia covers an area of 32,114 km² and has an...
. In la Seu d'Urgell, there are numerous fairs and markets throughout the year:
- Traditional market takes place every Tuesday and Saturday in the Main Street.
- Fira de Sant Ermengol, documented as the oldest of SpainSpainSpain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
, held on the third weekend of October. - Fira de Formatges Artesans del Pirineu (cheese fair of Pyrenean artisans).
- Spring Fair held in April and includes an exhibition of the best examples of Vaca bruna dels Pirineus, a cow from Pyrenees.
- Fira d'Art, an art exhibition, held since 2007.
- Mercat Medieval dels Canonges: a festival of street music, theater, circus, falconery and old offices.
- Mercat de les Oportunitats is held twice a year.
- International Music Festival Joan Brudieu began in 1969 and is held in July and August.
Attractions
- Church monuments:
- Santa Maria d'Urgell, cathedral of la Seu d'UrgellCathedral of Santa Maria d'UrgellThe Cathedral of Santa Maria d'Urgell, called Cathedral of la Seu d'Urgell or Cathedral of Urgel, is a cathedral located in the city of la Seu d'Urgell, , seat of the Diocese of Urgell. This temple is the seat of the diocese and is dedicated to Saint Mary...
, in the square of Oms. - Cloisters of the cathedral of Urgell.
- Diocese of Urgell Museum. It houses the Urgell BeatusUrgell BeatusThe Urgell Beatus, Beatus d'Urgell or Beatus la Seu d'Urgell is a 10th century illuminated manuscript and medieval commentary. It is at Musei Diocesá de La Seu d'Urgell, at La Seu d'Urgell in Spain.-References:...
illuminated manuscript. - Palau Episcopal de la Seu d'Urgell (Episcopal Palace), the palace courtyard.
- Library of Sant Agustí, current municipal library where there was the old convent of Sant Agustí.
- Church of Sant Miquel along the cloister of Santa Maria d'Urgell is the only building that remains of the cathedral complex built by Sant Ermengol that dates from the year 1035.
- Old Church of Santa Immaculada and future conference room.
- Old Church of Sant Domènec, a Gothic building. It is used for conferences and exhibitions.
- Church of Santa Magdalena, the most important church from the social point of view.
- Seminari conciliar. To the north of the city, it is surrounded by a large courtyard building with a monumental facade featuring a neo-Romanesque design. Built in 1860 by Roman Samson.
- Santa Maria d'Urgell, cathedral of la Seu d'Urgell
- Old Town, or historic center, where there are Canonges street and the Main Street, both of high architectural value, in addition to the courtyard of the Palau and square Oms where there are the City Hall. The Passeig de Joan Brudieu, the center of la Seu d'Urgell, is one of the most important streets and divides the old town and the new one.
- CastellciutatCastellciutatCastellciutat is a village in the municipality of la Seu d'Urgell . In the past it was called Ciutat but is now called either Ciutat or Castellciutat. It has a population of 451 inhabitants....
village, has panoramic views over the Tower of Solsona, the castel and Ciutadella. - Educational Centers
- Cultural Center "Les Monges" (The Nuns), there are the schools of dance, music and plastic arts in addition to municipal child care, a center of UNEDUnedThe Universidad Nacional de Educación a Distancia , is the only state-run Spanish distance-learning university, with headquarters in Madrid, Spain...
. - IES Joan Brudieu: Institute for secondary education, high school.
- Cultural Center "Les Monges" (The Nuns), there are the schools of dance, music and plastic arts in addition to municipal child care, a center of UNED
- Cadí-Moixeró Natural ParkCadí-Moixeró Natural ParkThe Cadí-Moixeró Natural Park is an area of outstanding natural beauty in the north of Catalonia near the border with Andorra. The Cadi mountain chain with its limestone rocks, rugged peaks and striking north face are impressive. The park has been declared as a Special Protection Area for...
Sport
At its artificial whitewaterArtificial whitewater
An artificial whitewater course is a site for whitewater canoeing, whitewater kayaking, whitewater racing, whitewater rafting, playboating and slalom canoeing with artificially generated rapids.-Flow diversion:...
course, Parc Olímpic del Segre
Parc Olímpic del Segre
Parc Olímpic del Segre is a canoeing and kayaking facility in La Seu d'Urgell, Catalonia, Spain, built in 1990 for use during the 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona....
, the town hosted the canoe slalom events for the 1992 Summer Olympics
1992 Summer Olympics
The 1992 Summer Olympic Games, officially known as the Games of the XXV Olympiad, were an international multi-sport event celebrated in Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain, in 1992. The International Olympic Committee voted in 1986 to separate the Summer and Winter Games, which had been held in the same...
in neighboring Barcelona
Barcelona
Barcelona is the second largest city in Spain after Madrid, and the capital of Catalonia, with a population of 1,621,537 within its administrative limits on a land area of...
. It hosted the ICF Canoe Slalom World Championships
ICF Canoe Slalom World Championships
The ICF Canoe Slalom World Championships are an international event in canoeing organized by the International Canoe Federation. The World Championships have taken place every year in non-Summer Olympic years since 2002. From 1949 to 1999, they had taken place in odd-numbered years...
in 1999
1999 ICF Canoe Slalom World Championships
The 1999 ICF Canoe Slalom World Championships were held in La Seu d'Urgell, Spain under the auspices of International Canoe Federation. A record eleven nations won medals at these championships.-Canoe:-Kayak:-Kayak:-Medals table:-References:***...
and again in 2009
2009 ICF Canoe Slalom World Championships
The 2009 ICF Canoe Slalom World Championships were held on 9–13 September 2009 at Parc Olímpic del Segre in La Seu d'Urgell, Spain under the auspices of International Canoe Federation. La Seu d'Urgell hosted the event previously in 1999. A demonstration event for women's single seat Canadian took...
.
Demography
| 1900 | 1930 | 1950 | 1970 | 1986 | 2008 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3520 | 4584 | 7062 | 9404 | n/a | 12986 |
Incorporation of the municipality of les Torres (1857), Castellciutat (1975).
Highest summits
- Pic de SalòriaPic de SalòriaPic de Salòria is a mountain of Catalonia, Spain. Located in the Pyrenees, it has an altitude of above sea level....
2.789 m. - MonturullMonturullMonturull is a mountain of Catalonia, Spain. Located in the Pyrenees, it has an altitude of 2761 metres above sea level....
2.761 m. - Torreta de CadíTorreta de CadíTorreta de Cadí is a mountain of Catalonia, Spain. It has an altitude of 2561 metres above sea level....
2.562 m. - Cap del VerdCap del VerdCap del Verd is a mountain of Catalonia, Spain. It has an altitude of 2283 metres above sea level....
in Alt UrgellAlt UrgellAlt Urgell is a comarca in Catalonia, Spain, a modern representation of part of the historic County of Urgell , seat of the Counts of Urgell and the historic region of Urgellet.- Municipalities :...
and SolsonèsSolsonèsSolsonès is a comarca in Catalonia, Spain. It is part of historic county of Urgell. Over 60% of its people live in the capital, Solsona.- Municipalities :Populations are for 2001.* Castellar de la Ribera - pop. 153* Clariana de Cardener - pop. 151...
2.282 m. - El CoscolletEl CoscolletEl Coscollet is a mountain of Catalonia, Spain. It has an altitude of 1610 metres above sea level....
1.610 m.