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Solsona (El Solsonès - Spain) a town full of beauty, charm and mysticism, is situated in the southern part of the Catalan central basin, on one of its typical plateaus at an altitude of 664 m. Until recently it occupied the right bank of the river Negre, at the foot of hill of Castellvell, although in recent years it has expanded a long way towards the left side of the river. The area of the old quarters is an authentic monument, but most outstanding of all is the beautiful cathedral, of Romanesque origin, renovated in the Gothic period and conserving the venerated image of the Mare de Déu del Claustre, the patron saint held in the heart of every inhabitant of Solsona. Furthermore, the episcopal palace, attached to the cathedral, is a notable neoclassical Baroque building which houses the important Diocesan Museum of Solsona, which for anyone with interest in this subject is well worth a visit. The entrance to the capital of the comarca (local district) gives the visitor the impression of friendly and resigned antiquity. The city of Solsona, its medieval streets and squares within the walled centre easily take one back to the past, although nowadays Solsona is the capital of comarca in the lands of Lleida which most enriches and delights the visitor. There is no other town or capital of comarca like Solsona! And here, in this town, in these surroundings, one must enter the cathedral and contemplate one of the most prized artistic jewels: the Mare de Déu del Claustre. This image from Solsona is known around the world. And not only in the field of the arts, worthy of featuring in international exhibitions of select works, but is also making itself ever more popular on wider horizons. The image is in stone. It measures a metre and five centimetres in height. It is seated on a bench or cushioned chest, with no backrest. It is wearing a crown, with a sceptre in the right hand, a pad on its right knee and two monsters at its feet. It holds the child in its left arm, seated on the left side of its lap. Over the years it has become covered with a grey-black patina. Dr. Antoni Llorens tells us that this stone image (according to his thesis) was sculpted around the year 1160 by the famous Gilabert, who came from Toulouse to Solsona with his workshop. Source and photographic archive: JOAN BELLMUNT I FIGUERAS
There is no doubt that the greatest attraction of the municipality of Riner (El Solsonès - Spain) is the Sanctuary del Miracle, on its western edge, near the hillock of Sant Gabriel. Exit Solsona along the road leading to Su, and after a few kilometres one comes across this beautiful place where the afore-mentioned temple stands. The origin of the Sanctuary del Miracle is found, as in other places, in the appearance of the Virgin to some children. In this case they were two brothers who were watching over cattle on the outskirts of Riner. The tradition goes that it was on the 3rd August 1458 when the Virgin appeared to the boys Jaume and Celdoni, from the neighbouring farm of la Cirosa. Almost certainly the first church or hermitage would have been a simple construction, and there is evidence of its having being built by 1536. The second church was contracted around 1546, and was not consecrated until 1590. A fragment of this building can be seen touching the walls of the present temple. This last large church was started around 1668, and was not considered suitable for receiving the image of the Virgin until 1733. The grand altarpiece on view here was started in 1747, its main sculptor being Carles Moretó. The fundamental artistic piece of the Miracle is the 18th Century Baroque altarpiece, work of the artist Carles Moretó. The altarpiece, colourful and magnificent, conveys the impression of great richness and solemnity. The image in the centre of the altarpiece is the original one, which may have existed before the apparitions. A second image, which conforms more to the children’s vision, was built in the 16th Century and is kept in the monastery. In spite of the devotion that the comarca felt for the sanctuary, the monastery fell into decadence at the end of the 18th Century. From then the Miracle entered a decline from which it did not emerge until 1886, motivated by the Jubilee promulgated by the pope Leo XIII. When in 1901 the old secular administration was replaced by a Benedictine priory dependant on Montserrat, the construction of the convent-residence, was undertaken, which communicated with the temple. Since then a small community of monks has taken care of the sanctuary. Source and photographic archive: JOAN BELLMUNT I FIGUERAS
It was on the 21st December 1079 when the solemn festival and act of consecration of the temple of Sant Esteve (El Solsonès - Spain) took place. The new church was consecrated under a double dedication. The main altar was dedicated to Saint Stephen, while the secondary altar was consecrated in honour of the Tomb of the Lord and the Virgin. Today’s traveller should visit this temple, as it is a true work of art. Restored in 1969, today it is offered to the visitor in all its splendour. It is a capital piece of the Romanesque in the lands of Lleida and is worth a journey in itself. To reach it follow the road that leads out of Solsona in the direction of Manresa and after a kilometre take the road to Berga, and after approximately 4 km there is a very well-indicated turning on the right. Follow this for a kilometre until arriving at the church and cemetery of Sant Esteve de Olius. The entrance leads to the rear part of the church, where a tomb is conserved, a stone font and one of holy water. Although it is possible to climb the side stairs to the upper part where the altar dedicated to Saint Stephen is found (and after which the temple is named), what most attracts the attention is the beautiful crypt underneath this altar. It is reached by descending a stone stairway from the centre of the nave. With six central columns from which palm-shaped arches branch out, this crypt constitutes a truly impressive place of peace and retirement. Nevertheless, it must be mentioned that the lighting plays a very important role in this balanced reencounter of silence and peace. The visitor should also visit and admire the cemetery, which is located very near by, a work which is unique in the lands of Lleida for its characteristics and Gaudí-like forms. All of this evokes the figure of Gaudí. But, how did Olius come to acquire this style? The answer is that it arrived in 1916 by the hand of the architect of the diocese Bernardí Martorell, who was working on the Sagrada Familia of Barcelona. The visitor can arrive by vehicle and park without problems. To enter the church it is necessary to contact the tourist office of the Consell Comarcal del Solsonès. Source and photographic archive: JOAN BELLMUNT I FIGUERAS
