Taüll

Guide to the Municipalities

Taüll is a charming little town of stone houses located in an outstanding natural part of the Pyrenees, nestled in the well-known valley of La Vall de Boí. The scenery in the Parc Nacional d'Aigüestortes i Estany de Sant Maurici (Aigüestortes i Estany de Sant Maurici National Park) is fabulous, an ideal backdrop for active tourism activities and mountain sports, but this is yet exceeded by the Romanesque churches of Santa María and Sant Climent, both dating from the 12th century and declared World Heritage Sites.

The essentials

- Admire the two Romanesque churches in the town, which have been declared World Heritage Sites: Sant Climent de Taüll and Santa María de Taüll
- Slide down the slopes at the Boí Taüll Resort ski station.

Suggestions

Enjoy the mountainous landscapes, especially in the area included in the Aigüestortes i Estany de Sant Maurici National Park, while you follow one of the proposed routes and excursions.

Region: Alta Ribagorça
Province: Lleida
Location: Taüll
Inhabitants: 266

Web: CA[http://www.ajuntamentvalldeboi.cat]ES[http://www.ajuntamentvalldeboi.cat]

You are adhered to: Charming Towns

Geographical location

Taüll is located high up within the valley of Sant Martí, one of the small subsidiary valleys in the Valle de Boí. It features high mountain land, shaped by meadows, forests, streams and peaks which rise to well over 2,500 metres. Lo Pessó Petit (2,792 metres) and Tuc des Carants (2,799 metres) are the highest. It is one of the towns which forms part of the municipality of La Vall de Boí and some of its land is included in the Aigüestortes i Estany de Sant Maurici National Park. Along with the centre of Taüll, divided in two by a stream, El Pla de l’Ermita urbanisation and the Boí Taüll Resort ski station are also included.

Climate

The climate, which varies substantially in accordance with the topography, is Mediterranean and extremely altered by the mountain and the distance of the sea. Rainfall is limited, although may be heavy in the highest areas (and in the form of snow in winter). In the summer, peak rainfall occurs in the mountains, while this is more sparse in the winter.

Economic activity

The area’s source of income has traditionally come from livestock combined with the production of feed, cereals, potatoes and vegetables, as well as the forestry industry. That said, tourism is currently the main source of wealth.

History

The name Taüll comes from the Basque expression Ata-Uli, which means “the pass town". In the old days, the valley of Boí was accessed via a mountain pass which lead to Taüll, known as “the portal of the Valle". This brought about a major expansion in the mediaeval period, coinciding with the development of the Catalan counties. Its significance is reflected in the existence of the three Romanesque churches in its urban centre.

What to see

Its rich Romanesque heritage is the main attraction of Taüll, which has two churches which were declared World Heritage Sites in 2000, the context of the Romanesque churches of Vall de Boí: Santa María and Sant Climent.

The Sant Climent de Taüll Church, located in the lower part of the town, is the most emblematic example of the Catalan Romanesque. It dates from the 12th century and is of Lombard Romanesque style. Its impressive belfry with six levels stands out along with the set of mural paintings on display, although the most significant of all is the Christ Pantocrator in the central apse which is preserved in the Museu Nacional d'Art de Catalunya, (the National Museum of the Art of Catalonia) in Barcelona.

The Santa María de Taüll Church is found in the Plaza Mayor and is also of Lombard Romanesque style from the 12th century, with a five-level bell tower. Similarly, you can see a replica of the murals inside as the originals are in the MNAC.

The centre of Taüll had a third Romanesque church, Sant Martí de Taüll, of which only a few remains stand today. Lastly, Sant Quirce de Taüll (12th century) is a hermitage with one single nave and apse located one hundred metres above the urban centre, next to the El Pla de l'Emita urbanisation which bears its name.

What to do

The high-mountain natural surroundings of Taüll is an ideal setting for active tourism activities. On one side, a section of the municipality forms part of the Aigüestortes i Estany de Sant Maurici National Park and all kinds of routes and excursions can be completed, either on foot, mountain bike or horseback. The GR 11 Trail of the Pyrenees crosses the municipality and passes through the urban centre of Taüll and El Pla de l'Ermita.

On the other side, beyond the El Pla de l'Ermita urbanisation, is the Boí Taüll Resort ski station, where you can enjoy the snow sliding down its slopes.

Finally, it's well worth taking part in the traditions which make up the Taüll main festival, on the third weekend in July: the falles, (bonfires) the Plano, San Isidro and Pila dances.