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Cultural, historical and architectural heritage

Seu Vella and King's Castle or La Suda

Cathedral consecrated in 1278 - Romanesque / Gothic style of the 12th and 17th centuries - Cultural Property of National Interest (BCIN)

The Seu Vella old cathedral, also known as “Lleida Castle”, is definitely the city’s most emblematic monument. Construction of the cathedral began in 1203, but the bell tower was not completed until 1431. The first master builder was Pere de Coma. According to historians, the cathedral was built on top of a former Muslim mosque. The temple was the first building to be completed and was consecrated for worship in 1278 and dedicated to the Virgin Mary. It has a Latin cross floor plan with a nave and two aisles.

The outstanding features of the interior include the stonework in the naves, which show the influence of the artisans from Tuscany, Toulouse and Provence who worked on the cathedral throughout the 13th century, as well as the remains of Gothic mural paintings. After the consecration of the temple, work continued into the 14th century, when the cloister was completed and construction work began on the bell tower and lasted until 1431.

The Seu Vella is a site of the 1714 Route, the War of the Spanish Succession.

The Canonja 

The entrance to the Seu Vella is through the Canonja, the name given to the set of buildings that housed the priests and canons who made up the Chapter at the cathedral. These buildings date from the second half of the 12th century to the 16th century, and include the remains of the old church of Santa Maria l’Antiga, different chapels, the Pia Almoïna (canon’s house), the Chapter room, the archive, and the Decanóa or Vault House.

The Doorways

Besides the current entrance doorway in La Canonja, there are other doorways of great cultural interest, such as the Anunciata doorway (13th century), the “Fillols” doorway (13th-14th centuries), the Sant Berenguer doorway (12th century), and the Apostles’ doorway (14th-15th centuries), as well as the three doors from the cloister (13th century), which provide a clear example of the style of architectural sculpture known as the Lleida School.

The Bell Tower

The oldest bells are from the 15th century: Silvestra, which rings on the hours, and Mònica, which rings on the quarter hours. The other five are electric bells from the mid-20th century that have an essentially liturgical function. They are called Bàrbara, Puríssima, Crist, Marieta and Meuc.

The Cloister

This 14th-century rectangular cloister is a unique, open cloister, located on the west side of the cathedral. It has a gallery with five ogival arches and elegant tracery windows that provide breathtaking views of the city and the countryside beyon.

THE CASTLE OF THE KING · LA SUDA 

Last Caliph of Cordoba refuge, venue of the Aragon’s Crown origin or witness of the loyalty oath of the catalan and aragonese nobles to Infante James (later James I the Conqueror). These are some of the historical facts that the Suda Castle or King Castle has lived with in the walls during its existence.

So outstanding episodes in the history of Lleida, Catalonia and, of course, of Spain have been developed in this building situated at the top of the Seu Vella’s hill, crowning the Sovereign Rock.

A privileged and a strategic site that holds a castle of Muslim origin that dates from the year 882 where Lleida has opened an Interpretation Centre.

This Centre, located in the royal hall of the Castle, has a museum area with information panels and an audiovisual that shows the history of the building.

The cultural equipment is completed with a viewpoint terrace where you could observe the landscape. It is the highest accessible point of the city.

Schedule
  • Winter opening hours: 01/10 - 30/04
    • Seu Vella
      • From Tuesday to Friday: from 10:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and from 3:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
      • Saturdays: from 10:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m
      • Sundays and public holidays: from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m
    • Castle of the King / La Suda
      • From Tuesday to Saturday: from 10:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and from 3:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
      • Sundays and public holidays: from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m
  • Summer opening hours: 01/05 - 30/09
    • Seu Vella
      • From Tuesday to Saturday: from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. and from 4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
      • Sundays and public holidays: from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m
    • Castle of the King / La Suda
      • Saturday: from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. and from 4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
      • Sundays and public holidays: from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m
  • Guided tours without required reservation are made every Saturday, Sunday and public holidays.
    • 11:00 a.m. in Catalan
    •   1:00 p.m. in Spanish

Guided tours

  • Guided tour supplement on weekends and holidays: €5 per person
  • The exterior guided visit can be done through the Lleida City Tour, organized by Lleida Tourism board on every Sunday at 11:30 a.m.
  • The visit into the Seu Vella + the Castle of the King can be done for free, by following QR codes or accompanied by a guide with prior reservation.
  • Consult for tailor-made visits and more information
Entrance fees
  • €7 General entry to the monumental complex
  • €5 Reduced entry to the monumental complex: Youths from 7 to 18 years of age - Youth Card cardholders - Groups of more than 20 people - Older than 65 years of age - Pensioners.
  • Free entry: on the first tuesday of each month, children under 7 years old - Groups of students accompanied by certified teachers - ICOMOS - Official Guides - Disabled - Large family cardholders - Single parent cardholders - Local holidays - Pilgrims - Religious order - Associated organisations - September 11th (Catalonian National Day)
  • To enjoy these discounts cardholders must identify themselves.

Remarks

  • Accessible to people with reduced mobility.
  • Ticket sales close 30 minutes before the monument closes.
  • The Bell Tower closes 30 minutes before the rest of the monument.
  • Pets are not allowed inside the monuments, with the exception of the guide dog.
  • Closed on non-holiday Mondays, except for bridges, and on December 25th and 26th, January 1st and 6th.

Reservation / Purchase

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    Costers del Segre Designation of Origin - Wine, gastronomy and nature of Lleida