Lleida
The city’s history goes all the way back to the 4th century BC, when the Iberians decided that this was a good place to settle, next to the Segre river. Since then, many civilisations have left their mark. The construction of the Seu Vella de Lleida cathedral began in the 13th century, on a site where a mosque had stood in earlier times. The cathedral is the symbol of the city, and as it stands on the high ground it’s easily recognisable wherever you happen to be. The Castell de Gardeny was built at around the same time, by the Order of the Knights Templar. This medieval architectural complex later became a military fortress between the 17th and 18th centuries. Of Arab origin, the Castell del Rei (La Suda) will take you right back to the reign of Jaume I in the 13th century. If you take a stroll around the old city centre, you’ll see that here buildings dating from the modernist era have been preserved. You’ll also come across the Palace of La Paeria, today home to the city council. And you’ll be able to take a walk along the riverbank in the La Mitjana park.