• Norway!

    Norway: Sunnylvsfjord. Go Now!

    Norway
    Known for its natural beauty, Norway is home to isolated villages, fjords, and mountains that create a culture and landscape without compare. Begin Your Journey!

  • Vatican City!

    Vatican City: Vatican Museums. Go Now!

    Vatican City
    The smallest country in the world offers the heart of Catholicism and among the world's finest art collections, including the Sistine Chapel and the Raphael Rooms (ceiling pictured). Go to Vatican City!

  • Macedonia!

    Macedonia: Traditional architecture. Go Now!

    Macedonia
    Macedonia is a country still finding its unique identity, but its architecture is already one of a kind. Explore Macedonia!

  • Austria!

    Austria: Belvedere Palace. Go Now!

    Austria
    Belvedere Palace (pictured) is just one of many palaces found in Vienna. The capital is a good start to Austria, which also features the Alps, the Lakes District, and incredible history & food. Go Now!

  • Spain!

    Spain: Guell Park and Gaudi architecture. Go Now!

    Spain
    Fusion foods, lively music, historic ruins, and cultural events like the Running of the Bulls and La Tomatina make Spain and Barcelona (pictured) a favorite tourist destination. Explore Spain!

  • Ukraine!

    Ukraine: Traditional Village. Go Now!

    Ukraine
    Ukrainian culture is based on village life, particularly that found in the Carpathian Mountains (pictured). Begin Your Journey!

Architecture of Andorra

Andorran Architecture - Romanesque church
Romanesque church

The architecture of Andorra is almost entirely Romanesque, which is a style from around 1000 which integrates stone in a very simple, but strong and long-lasting style. This was the style of choice for centuries due to the availability of stone and the country's isolated state, preventing the destruction of these buildings and the introduction of new styles.

Some of the oldest buildings in the country are from the 800s, when a number of churches were built in this mountainous country. To this day there are dozens of small Romanesque churches dotting the landscape including the Sant Climent de Pal in the town of Pal. The town of Pal, in addition to the regions of Canillo and Ordino, still strongly adhere to the Romanesque style and there are even laws today that demand a certain percentage of all buildings' facades be made of stone.

Over time some aspects of certain architectural styles have been integrated into Andorra's buildings, but rarely ever dominating an entire building until recently. Many modern buildings, particularly in Andorra la Vella, are built with modern elements as much of the capital's outline today consists of glass and concrete.

This page was last updated: March, 2013