Description of the attraction
The Church of San Esteve is one of the main historical sights of Andorra la Vella. The temple is located in the historical center of the city, among ancient granite houses of traditional architecture, near the building of the commune administration.
Church of San Esteve in the Romanesque style was built in the XII century. and consecrated in honor of St. Stephen. The building of the church and its interior were repeatedly completed and redesigned. And the temple underwent serious architectural changes already in the twentieth century, having lost its original appearance. Only the Romanesque semicircular apse has survived from the original building, as well as wall paintings, which are now kept in the National Museum of Art of Catalonia and in several private collections. It is in the museum that you can see frescoes depicting a wedding in Cana, Jesus Christ in front of Pilate and a winged bull, which were previously located in the church of San Esteve. To date, from the works of the Roman era, the temple presents two of the most interesting altarpieces made in the Baroque style.
The church underwent the last changes in 1969. The construction work was supervised by the architect Joseph Puig, as a result of which the building of the old church was significantly increased in size. Externally, the church stands out for its magnificent Lombard-style apse décor, as well as a Romanesque bell tower and tower.
A monument to Bishop Juan Benloch is erected near the Church of San Esteve. Juan Benloch, bishop of La Seu d'Urgel from 1906 to 1919, was the co-prince of the principality. The bishop, who later became a cardinal, in addition to all the dear to the local population, is that he is the author of the music of the national anthem of Andorra.
