Andorra Museums Hit Record 214,886 Visitors in 2025

Andorra's museums and monuments recorded a record 214,886 visitors in 2025, up 25% from 172,000 the previous year and the highest figure in the historical series, according to the Museums Board.

The surge was driven primarily by the Santuari de Meritxell, which more than quadrupled its attendance from 15,600 in 2024 to 65,000. The site, which had previously operated only in summer, opened year-round last year with reinstated guided tours. Culture Director Joan-Marc Joval credited this expansion for the overall boost, though he noted the numbers remain far below the 156,000 recorded in 2012.

Other sites also contributed to the growth. Casa d'Areny-Plandolit saw a 20% rise to 18,600 visitors, thanks to programmed activities. The CAEE increased from 14,900 to 17,100, while the Museu de la Miniatura jumped from 8,900 to 11,900.

Despite closures, the department maintained positive results. Farga Rossell remained shut all year due to structural issues, including a broken martinet hammer since summer 2023 and subsequent water leaks that disabled audiovisual displays. Safety concerns led to full closure by late 2024, with Museums Head Ruth Casabella describing the site as "falling to pieces." Casa de la Vall, typically the most visited, closed for renovations from April to December, and the Museu de l'Automòbil was offline from August to December after asbestos removal from collection vehicles.

Joval speculated that, excluding Meritxell and absent these disruptions, totals would have matched or exceeded 2024 levels. Losses included Espai Columba (down to 10,100 from 11,100), Museu de l'Electricitat (from 14,000 to 9,000), and others like Cal Pal, Era del Raser, Thyssen, BiciLab, and Museu del Còmic.

Farga Rossell faces a lengthy revival. A 2026 budget allocates €300,000 for initial structural repairs, addressing humidity from its riverside location and outdated sustainability features. Museological and museographic updates will follow in 2027. Joval expects reopening no earlier than 2028, marking five years of closure since the martinet failed—its second breakdown after a 2020 repair. Casabella highlighted chronic maintenance shortcomings over two decades as a key factor, beyond the original design. The site will resume as a key element of the 2023-27 Strategic Museums Plan, alongside Espai Columba and the Museu de l'Automòbil.