Our Lady of Meritxell Church

Address: Meritxell, Canillo, AD700, Andorra

Website: https://visitandorra.com/en/what-to-see/sanctuary-of-meritxell/

Hours: Daily 9:00am-7:00pm (seasonal variations)

Our Lady of Meritxell is the national shrine and patroness of Andorra, located in the village of Meritxell in the parish of Canillo. The site is the principal Marian devotion in Andorra and a national religious symbol.

The sanctuary complex that visitors see today includes a modern church designed by Ricardo Bofill and completed in the late 1970s, noted for its contemporary stone and concrete architecture. The site draws pilgrims and visitors especially around the feast on 8 September, when religious ceremonies and national celebrations take place.

The original medieval chapel that housed the historic statue burned in 1972; following the fire the sanctuary was rebuilt to provide a new national shrine while preserving the devotion to Our Lady of Meritxell.

The shrine sits in a mountain valley in northeastern Andorra within the parish of Canillo, within easy reach of the main roads that cross the principality.

• Patron saint and feast day: The image of Our Lady of Meritxell is the patroness of Andorra and her feast day on 8 September is the country’s principal religious festival.
• Modern sanctuary: After a 1972 fire destroyed the earlier chapel the sanctuary was rebuilt in the late 1970s by Catalan architect Ricardo Bofill, giving the site a distinctive modern appearance.

What to See#

• Sanctuary of Meritxell: The modern sanctuary complex includes the rebuilt church designed by architect Ricardo Bofill in the late 1970s, which replaced an earlier chapel destroyed by fire.
• Pilgrimage site: The shrine area around the church functions as the national religious landmark and gathering place for the annual feast day on 8 September.

Meritxell is about 10 km north of Andorra la Vella. From Andorra la Vella or Encamp take CG-2/CG-3 toward Canillo and follow signs to Meritxell (the sanctuary is above the village). Driving time from Andorra la Vella is roughly 20-25 minutes. There is limited local bus service (Bus Andorra lines to Canillo) from which a short uphill walk or a brief taxi ride is required.

• Visit on September 8 (Feast of Our Lady of Meritxell) to see local ceremony - arrive very early to secure a spot for the procession.
• Park uphill on the small lot above the sanctuary to avoid the long walk up steep steps from the village; the walk down gives the best views of the valley.
• Inspect the chapel's burned stone and the replica statue closely - many visitors miss the fragment of the original statue preserved under glass to the right of the altar.