All the churches in the Vall de Boí were built during the 11th and 12th century, following the model from Northern Italy, Lombard Romanesque. This first international artistic style was brought to the valley by the church bishops who travelled to Rome and the itinerant craftmen they employed. During this time feudalism was the new social order, and the lords of Erill used their war booty to finance the building of the churches. The churches were build of local stone and limestone mortar with wood and slate rooves. Used not only for religious purposes, but also for protection, the churches have thick walls and only a few narrow windows to withstand the weight of barrel vaults. There is little external decoration - rounded arcading and pilaster strips which are narrow vertical strips joined at the top by arches. This simple decoration would begin to change in the 13th century as Gothic architecture emerged. The bell towers were used for communication, and we climbed all that we could!
Wooden sculpture, the Descent from the Cross, depicting Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus lowering Christ from the cross
Sant Climent de Taül
Pilaster strips with rounded archading
The mural Christ in Majesty, Jesus blessing with his right hand, holding the Book in his left
Wooden Romanesque crucifix
Santa Maria de Taül
The Epiphany with wise men and stars
Sant Feliu de Barruera
Sant Joan de Boí
Mural above - The Stoning of Saint Stephen
Scenes from the Bestiary, depicting animals with Christian characteristics - the camel representing humility
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