Lleida - Main Sights

Main Sights

• Seu Vella, a Cathedral built in a blend of Romanesque and Gothic styles over the time, and made a military fortress in the 18th century and the older, and mostly destroyed Palau de la Suda, built during the Arab rule and later used as royal residence by the Counts of Barcelona and Kings of Aragon. Both medieval buildings are situated over the so-called Turó de la Seu, a medium-sized hill that dominates the town.
• Seu Nova, the baroque Cathedral used since Bourbon rule. It was burnt during the Spanish Civil War by the anarchists commanded by Durruti.
• Institut d'Estudis Ilerdencs, used to be a hospital (Antic Hospital de Santa Maria) built in a Gothic style, but nowadays it is an historical museum and research centre open to visitors, with historically significant objects and art from the Iberian, Roman, Arab, medieval and modern times, as well as an exhibition area usually showcasing contemporary local artists.
• La Paeria, the city council and also, a historical site with remains and pieces of art from Roman times, to the Moorish rule, to Mediaeval and Modern times, including old prison cells.
• Gardeny. It is a hill hosting a fortress built between the 12th and 13th centuries. Used by the Knights Templar in the Middle Ages after the area (a fifth of the town) had been granted to them by king Ramon Berenguer IV.
• The gardens known as Camps Elisis, already used by the Romans. It has the fountain of the mermaid.
• La Mitjana, a park with wilderness areas. There stands too a dam on the river Segre.
• Les Basses d'Alpicat, a park. It's currently closed, awaiting reforms.
• Church of Sant Llorenç, a 12th century romanesque church with 15th century gothic additions. The interior is well preserved.
• The Bishop of Lleida's Palace on Rambla d'Aragó also serves as an art museum showing pieces included in the styles spanning from Romanesque to Baroque.
• El Roser, a 13th century convent built by the Dominican Order. It hosted a fine arts academy of the same name and is currently controversially reformed into a parador (a luxury hotel using a historical location).
• Lleida Public Library, on Rambla d'Aragó, hosted in the building previously known as La Maternitat, a mid-19th century orphanage.
• Museum of Lleida, opened in 2008, and owned by the Diocese of Lleida focusing on the town's history. Some of the artifacts it contains, which come from areas not belonging to the province of Lleida's territory and jurisdiction, have been object of contention with the neighbouring dioceses and the government autonomous community of Aragon.
• Sala Cristòfol, a museum devoted to the works of artist Leandre Cristòfol.
• Sala Mercat del Pla, an art gallery.
• Museu d'Art Jaume Morera, an art museum.
• Centre d'Art de la Panera, a small contemporary art institution.
• Museu de l'Aigua.Inside of the Parc de l'aigua.
• Auditori Enric Granados, Lleida's foremost concert hall. Next to its basement, and publicly displayed are visible ancient ruins.
• La Llotja de Lleida, a concert hall, theatre, opera and congress hall opened in 2010.
• Parc de L'aigua, urban park of the city, in the south neighborhoods.