Vall de Núria – or Núria Valley – is one of the most characteristic and beautiful Catalan landscapes in the autonomous region. This area in the Catalan Pyrenees, at only about 130 kilometres from Barcelona, is not too far away from the city and brings you tranquility in an extraordinary natural landscape. Transcendent for various political and spiritual reasons related to the Catalan culture, you can undertake multiple activities in this enclave. You can also stay in charming hotels, or disconnect from the hustle and bustle in one of the most beautiful valleys of the Catalan territory. Today, ShBarcelona will tell you a bit more about Vall de Núria.
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Vall de Núria, one of the most beautiful parts of Catalonia
Photo via Pixabay
Vall de Núria is one of the most significant places in Catalan politics and history, due to the fact that in the Sanctuary of the Virgin of Núria, which is located in the valley, the first statute of Catalonia’s autonomy was signed in 1930. The statute is therefore also known as Núria’s statute. Besides this, the Virgin of Núria is at a spiritual level one of the most revered mystical figures in the autonomous community, and it is represented by a carved artwork from between the 12th and 13th century. The wooden, Romanesque style carving has simple features, and its decorations are still in an almost perfect state. Infant Jesus is sitting on the Virgin’s knee, and he has one of his hands raised as a blessing sign. Both Mary and infant Jesus are dressed in a mantle and tunic. Before the restoration, the image had darkened due to various environmental factors, and for this reason it was called the moreneta del Pirineu.
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Photo by Luis Zamora via Visualhunt
The valley belongs to the municipality of Queralbs, located in the province of Girona. You can find all kinds of recreational activities here. It is a location designed for some family fun, and some of its activities include the following: Sled tracks (small and large): one of the most typical and fun activities for the whole family. Tubbing (small and large): for those who like to glide through the snow, but want a new experience. Tubbing is a typical attraction in aquatic amusement parks, that can also be performed on mountain slopes. Cross sledding: following the idea of boardercross and cross-country skiing, cross-country sledding is a programmed, free-style racing activity using the characteristics of the terrain, and it is definitely for the more adventurous type. For smaller children who are not afraid of heights, there is a climbing wall and zip line: perfect for all the little Spidermans among us. Snowmobile: these are low profile, wide skate scooters, that allow you to sit down and descend through adapted tracks. A rack railway has been constructed to access Núria, which will be an unforgettable experience. Do not miss the beautiful and spectacular landscape, while taking the railway through Núria Valley. It is the only way to access Vall de Núria and it is absolutely special: it is a 12.5 km track rack railway, and it exceeds a height difference of more than 1,000 meters.
Have you visited Vall de Núria yet? Any advice?
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