SPAIN - Europe by Eurail 2015: Touring Europe by Train - page 486

Lleida's stormy history continued with Napoleon's attempts to annex it to France
and with artillery fire during the Spanish Civil War.
Constructed in the 13th century on the former site of a mosque, Seu Vella was
converted from a church to a military fortress in 1707 by Philip V and then burned
and pillaged in the wars that followed. It was restored and reconsecrated in 1950.
The Seu Nova (new cathedral) stands on Carrer Major, the main street of the old
town. The ancient 15th- to 16th-century Hospital de Santa Maria is just oppos-
ite and houses many fine Iberian and Roman archaeological excavation exhibits.
If you are up to it, scale the tower for a panoramic view of the plain surrounding
Lleida.
Lleida's picturesque “Old Quarter” teems with interesting pedestrian streets of
shops with colorful awnings and generally lower prices than you'll find in Bar-
celona. Take time to enjoy the simple yet high-quality cuisine of the region. Many
dishes are flavored with olive oil of the Garrigues area—considered to be the best
in the world. The annual Agricultural Fair of Sant Miguel, usually held at the end
of September, shows off the best produce of the area. Top off your visit with a toast
of one of the Costers del Segre wines.
Festival buffs will enjoy several of the other traditional celebrations of Lleida, in-
cluding Els Tres Tombs (Feast of Saint Anthony) in mid-January, when the horses