Study in Lleida, Spain
Study in Lleida, Spain
Lleida (Lérida in Castillian Spanish) is a city located in the west of Catalonia, Spain, and the capital city of the province of the same name.
Geographically, Lleida is located in the Catalan Central Depression, and its metro area has a total population of roughly 250,000 permanent inhabitants. Lleida is also the capital city of the Segrià comarca, as well as the largest city in the province. It has roughly 140,000 residents in the city proper, which includes the contiguous municipalities of Raimat and Sucs.
Lleida is one of the oldest towns in Catalonia, with recorded settlements dating back to the Bronze Age period. Until the Roman conquest of the Iberian Peninsula, the area served as a settlement for an Iberian people known as the Ilergetes. The town became a municipality, named Ilerda, under the reign of Augustus. It was reconquered in 1149, after being many centuries under the rule of the Moors, who had conquered the town in the 8th century. In 1297, the University of Lérida was founded, becoming the third oldest school of higher learning in the whole of Spain. During the following centuries, the town was damaged by several wars, including the Reapers' War in the 17th century and the Spanish Civil War in the 20th century. Since then, the city has been in a constant urban, commercial and demographic growth.
More about Lleida
The Catalonian province of Lleida is one of the most mountainous provinces in Spain and the fourth and probably least-known province of Catalonia. Lleida incorporates part of the mountainous Pyrenees landscape, most notably the Aran valley. The area is especially popular for winter sports; in fact the area known as the Boí Valley has the highest ski resort in the Pyrenees. Visitors come here to ski during the winter season and enjoy walking holidays and adventure sports throughout the rest of the year. The province is also a well-known wine producing area. Lleida City is famous for its agricultural produce and textile industry. Lleida has a majestic cathedral sitting on top of a hill, which dominates the city; sadly much of the building is in disrepair, although there are still some sections which can be visited, and the views over the surrounding landscape are well worth the climb. There is a lift from the center of town below, which takes the toil out of accessing the cathedral. The centre of Lleida has all the main shops you would expect in a thriving city, plus there is an excellent choice of restaurants serving traditional home-cooking-style cuisine.
The Culture and History of Lleida
Lleida’s nearby Boí Valley, with its nine early Romanesque churches, was declared a UNESCO world heritage site in 2001. These churches include: Sant Climent and Santa Maria in Taüll, Sant Feliu in Barruera, Sant Joan in Boí, Santa Eulàlia in Erill la Vall, Santa Maria de l'Assumpción de Cóll, Santa Maria de Cardet, la Nativitat de la Mare de Déu in Durro, and the hermitage of Sant Quirc near Durro.
In the capital city of Lleida, there are also several churches and museums worth visiting during your stay.
Leisure and Recreation Opportunities in Lérida
Visitors to Lleida can enjoy a number of leisurely and recreational pursuits while they are staying in the region. Guests can sail down the river Segre by boat or raft, climb some of the steep rock walls nearby, or explore the zone on foot or bike, making Lleida an outdoor enthusiast’s paradise. The Forat del Buli in the province is a gorge that cuts deep inside the Rialb's river basin, with an impressive natural landscape. Its rugged features make it ideal for adventure sports, such as cliff climbing. The beautiful, natural area has the appearance of being undisturbed by human-kind. If you want to try your hand at cliff climbing, there are adventure sports companies that can take you out and provide you with equipment. Given its natural surroundings, canoeing and sailing are also popular in Lleida. The Rialb River, for example, is the perfect place for trout fishing. The fishing is controlled here and for stock preservation, fish are not allowed to be taken. The region is excellent for runners, with some very tough training available in the mountains. It’s also possible to find some lengthy paths for longer runs in Lérida city, which has very little traffic. One of the most stimulating itineraries that Lleida has to offer is the ‘Route of the Castles”; these well-preserved fortresses take visitors back in time to the Middle Ages, a period in which these lands marked the frontier between the Arab and Christian worlds. The classic route of the castles includes six fortresses: Montsonís, in La Noguera; Montclar, in Urgell; Florejacs, Les Pallargues and Vicfred, in La Segarra; and Mur, in Pallars Jussà. The area is rich with interesting Medieval castles and fortresses, which speak to the city’s rich historical roots.