Our Lady of Meritxell is the Patron Saint of the Principality.
It is a very important feast for the people of Andorra.
Every year, on September 8, the Sanctuary hosts the high point of this celebration.
A little history...
Legend has it that, one January 6 in an uncertain year, the inhabitants of the hamlet of Canillo were on their way to mass, as usual, when they were surprised to discover, not far from the road, a rosehip in bloom, out of season. At the foot of the shrub, they also discovered a wooden statue of the Virgin and her son, which was then placed in the Canillo church to consecrate an altar to her. The next morning, the Virgin had disappeared! She was found at the foot of the same rose-hip, still in bloom. She was placed in the church in Encamp, where she disappeared again. Then the snow began to fall in abundance, except on the rose-hip and its surroundings. The faithful understood that the Mother of God did not want to leave either the mountain or this place. And so it was that Meritxell's first chapel was built here.
On September 24, 1873, an extraordinary meeting of the Valleys Council placed all the Andorran valleys under the protection of the Blessed Virgin of Meritxell, and petitioned the Pope for a papal bull consecrating her as patroness of the valleys. This was done on May 13, 1914, when Pope Pius X sent the bull to the Andorran people. The terms of this agreement were carved into a block of marble at the entrance to the chapel. The Virgin of Meritxell was canonically crowned on September 8, 1921 by the Cardinal Archbishop of Tarragona, Mgr Vidal and Mgr Barraquer.
Nostra Senyora de Meritxell today
The old chapel, remodeled in the 17th century, was ravaged by fire in September 1972, and Ricardo Boffil's architectural studio was commissioned to build the new sanctuary.
The new building was consecrated on September 8, 1976.
The old chapel has been restored and now forms part of the perimeter of this site dedicated to Nostra Senyora de Méritxell.
At the entrance stands a monument commemorating the seventh Pareatge (13th century), the work of Andorran sculptor Roger Mas. Inside, the replica of the statuette of the Romanesque Virgin, burnt in the fire, is the work of Andorran sculptor Sergi Mas, one of the Principality's best-known artists.
In the old part, an exhibition traces the history of the people, the church, the patronage and the fire. In 2014, Pope Francis awarded the sanctuary the distinction of minor basilica, recognizing the sanctuary's singular liturgical life and the cultural activity of the place.
The Notre Dame de Meritxell chapel houses other statues of Andorran saints, patron saints of other parishes in the country: Sant Serni de Canillo, Santa Eulalia de Encamp, Sant Corneli de Ordino, Sant Iscle de La Massana, Sant Esteve de Andorra la Vella, Sant Pere Màrtir de Escaldes-Engordany, y Sant Julià y Sant Germà de Sant Julià de Sant Julià de Lòria. All created by Andorran sculptor Sergi Mas.
Meritxell
AD 100, Canillo
Principado de Andorra
