Andorra Advances National Museum Project Amid Site Hunt

Culture Minister Mònica Bonell has confirmed advances in the conceptual work for Andorra's National Museum, aiming to finalise the project this legislative term for an architectural tender in the next one. She reiterated the need for a central 4,000-square-metre site in Andorra la Vella or Escaldes-Engordany to anchor itineraries to other museums, noting no such space currently exists.

Speaking Thursday, Bonell described reviewing over 30 years of studies and proposals, updating them with input from ministry staff and external experts. "We now have more elements than a few months ago," she said, launching a new phase of collaboration with parishes and cultural entities to build consensus. She hopes to explain the work soon, positioning the museum as a national project requiring collective commitment.

Bonell addressed parish criticisms, stating no location was considered because the process demands joint effort. She noted that if any parish had shown real interest earlier, it might have checked the project's status before pursuing other initiatives. "All institutions should close ranks around this," she urged, expressing optimism for progress soon.

The debate follows Head of Government Xavier Espot's comments this week during the political orientation debate. Espot lamented a lost chance under former Andorra la Vella councillor Conxita Marsol to use land near government buildings, now allocated to Enclard's multifunctionality complex amid rental market pressures. He urged opposition parties to secure land from aligned parishes.

Responses remained cautious. Rosa Gili cited limited availability in her parish, while Andorra la Vella prioritised other uses without a firm government plan. Social Democrat MP and former Culture Minister Susanna Vela accused successive Democrat governments of 20 years of deliberate neglect, dismissing parish blame as excuses. She proposed Andorra Telecom's publicly owned Node site over a Thyssen Museum with uncertain ties to Andorran identity. "If they really want it, do it there and stop making excuses," Vela said Thursday, stressing the need for a concrete proposal first.

Bonell countered that the former bullring site was offered by Andorra la Vella at the time, and no parish had previously committed seriously.