This is a Romanesque-style church with Gothic additions and finishings. It is the city's second most important church after the Seu Vella (El Segrià - Spain). It has three naves of equal height with three apses.
The Romanesque-style central nave is the oldest. The two side naves were built in the Gothic style. Construction of the church began at the end of the 12th century under the supervision of the sculptors and craftsmen who worked with Pere de Coma, the master builder responsible for the Seu Vella. The side chapels and the octagonal bell tower - 15th century - are also Gothic in style. The building still maintains four important Gothic altarpieces: the largest is dedicated to Sant Llorenç, another is dedicated to Santa Úrsula and attributed to Jaume Cascalls, while the third is dedicated to Sant Pere and the final one to Santa Llúcia. On the Gothic-style door of the Plaça Sant Josep it is possible to see the coat of arms of Berenguer de Gallart. The church, which has twice served as the main cathedral, contains various pieces of art that belong to the Diocesan Museum of Lleida.
The sculpture of the Virgin of Fillols, which is originally from the Seu Vella, is particularly worthy of comment, as is the Santa María de la Candelera, a 15th century Gothic-style painting representing SDant Blas, which has been attributed to the painter Mateu Ferrer. In the same church, it is possible to find the sepulchre of Ramon de Tàrrega and the Sant Crist Trobat, an image that was restored by Jaume Perelló. The bell tower was restored in 2002 and has now recovered its original beauty, partly thanks to handcrafted reproduction work of the railings and the original gargoyles.
Information provided by: Turisme de Lleida.
For more information:
Turisme de Lleida
C/Major, 31 bis
25007 Lleida
Tel: 902 25 00 50
Fax: 973 70 04 80
Web: www.turismedelleida.com
e-mail: infoturisme@paeria.es