The Vall de Boí’s Romanesque heritage is made up of the churches of Sant Climent and Santa Maria in Taüll, Sant Joan in Boí, Santa Eulàlia in Erill la Vall, Sant Feliu in Barruera, la Nativitat in Durro, Santa Maria in Cardet, l’Assumpció in Cóll and Sant Quirc Hermitage in Durro.
One of their main characteristics is the unity of architectural style. They were all built were during the 11th and 12th centuries following models from northern Italy, Lombard Romanesque, characterised by functional buildings, skilled stonework, slim bell-towers and the external decoration of rounded arcading and pilaster strips.
The Romanesque churches in the Vall de Boí are the artistic reflection of a society structured around the hierarchies of lords and clergy, in this case personified in the lords of Erill and the bishopric of Roda de Isábena, promoters of the churches in the Vall de Boí. In this medieval society, the Church not only fulfilled a religious function but also played an important social role as a place for the people to meet and seek refuge. In the case of the Vall de Boí, this social function of churches was further underlined by the use of its slim bell-towers for communication and protection.
Of particular note are the murals that used to be found in the churches of Sant Climent and Santa Maria in Taüll and Sant Joan in Boí, currently kept at the National Museum of Catalan Art (MNAC) in Barcelona, as well as the carvings produced by the Erill Workshop, particularly the Descent in the church of Santa Eulàlia in Erill la Vall.
The Vall de Boí’s Romanesque architecture is exceptional thanks to the concentration of such a high number of churches in a limited area with the same architectural style, preserved over time with few modifications that have significantly altered their initial design.
