Santuari de Meritxell Celebrates 50th Anniversary with New Bells and Maintenance Deal

The Santuari de Meritxell is marking its 50th anniversary with a series of improvements, including the installation of three new bells, and a new maintenance agreement between the Government and Canillo commune.

Culture, Youth and Sports Minister Mònica Bonell presented the commemorative plans alongside Canillo's major cònsol Jordi Alcobé, Cultural Promotion Director Joan-Marc Joval, and Canillo Culture and Traditions Director Robert Lizarte. Bonell noted that the new bells complete the required notes, allowing the Ave de Meritxell to be played this year for the first time.

A key development is a collaboration agreement signed at the sanctuary to streamline routine upkeep. The Government will provide around €12,000 annually, while Canillo handles exterior maintenance tasks such as repairing displaced slabs, fixing outdoor lighting, and addressing leaks in gutters and terraces. Larger works will be assessed separately. Bonell said previous ministry efforts focused on minor fixes like damaged furniture, but the deal shifts these to communal teams for greater efficiency. Alcobé described it as pragmatic, prioritising joint action over rigid divisions of responsibility to resolve any defects swiftly.

The anniversary also features around 30 activities aimed at all ages, exploring the site's heritage, liturgy, culture, and architecture. Highlights include exhibitions, talks on the building's design, performances in the Canya als museus and Nits d’Estiu cycles, custom dance and stage shows, organ concerts organised by Canillo—including ones featuring Alcobé on 7 and 8 September—and a documentary on the sanctuary's history.

Bonell called the occasion a chance to reflect on the site's legacy as Andorra's most visited monument—a place of gathering beyond religion. Alcobé echoed that it forms part of the nation's collective memory. Other recent upgrades mentioned include renewed exterior lighting with FEDA support and improvements to the green path to Prats with the Environment ministry. Under the deal, the Government retains responsibility for interiors, exhibitions, cleaning, security, and event logistics.

Designed by architect Ricard Bofill and inaugurated in 1976 after a 1972 fire destroyed the Romanesque predecessor, the sanctuary was declared a cultural asset in 2003.