Exhibition Marks 50 Years of Andorra's Santuari de Meritxell Basilica Rebuild

A fire in 1972 that razed the original Romanesque Santuari de Meritxell sanctuary hastened efforts to replace it with a larger venue suited to rising pilgrim numbers on Andorra's national day.

The Consell General has launched an exhibition, "El projecte arquitectònic del Santuari de Meritxell," in the cloister passageway to mark 50 years since construction began on the current basilica. Curated by architect and researcher Enric Dilmé, whose doctoral work underpins the display, it draws on previously unpublished materials such as plans, correspondence, meeting records and historical images to chart the site's development.

Dilmé's presentation shows that expansion ideas were already circulating before the blaze, driven by demographic growth and the need for more space at the Meritxell gathering. It focuses on the origins of Ricardo Bofill's final design and earlier studies, including an ambitious original scheme for a mountaintop-spanning connection between peaks. The existing basilica, Dilmé said, stands as the sole realized element of that grander vision, built to allow for potential future links.

General Syndic Carles Ensenyat, who opened the exhibition, emphasized that the Consell General initiated studies on enlargement prior to the fire. He described the materials on view as key to helping the public grasp the path to today's sanctuary, calling it Andorra's first contemporary architectural landmark.

The display traces the evolution from a simple chapel to the modern structure and remains open through December for anniversary events. Organizers have not ruled out an extension depending on turnout, though the more extravagant early proposals will stay on paper only.