Water Feature
The 'Caldea' at Escaldes Engordany, on the northeastern edge of Andorra la Vella. One of the most striking pieces of modern architecture I've ever seen.
It was built in 1994 and houses a complex of thermal baths and swimming pools, in addition to a shopping centre and restaurant, on three different levels. The central hub of the building is crowned by the gleaming 'silver' glazed spire, which contains a viewing gallery accessed by lift (unfortunately not operational by the time we got there).
The complex is currently in the process of being enlarged. We didn't get inside the main thermal pool rooms but at least got a taste of the ultra modern interiors from the areas still accessible.
Andorra la Vella, capital of the Principality of Andorra is a largely modern city surrounded by mountain ranges, reflected in the typography of it's street layout which is on several different levels. It was thus never a large city with so little room for expansion.
There are medieval monuments such as the ancient Casa de la Vall (the old council chamber) and the church of St Esteve (mostly rebuilt in more modern times) but the overall flavour is contemporary, owing to modern architecture and sculptures around the city.
Water Feature
The 'Caldea' at Escaldes Engordany, on the northeastern edge of Andorra la Vella. One of the most striking pieces of modern architecture I've ever seen.
It was built in 1994 and houses a complex of thermal baths and swimming pools, in addition to a shopping centre and restaurant, on three different levels. The central hub of the building is crowned by the gleaming 'silver' glazed spire, which contains a viewing gallery accessed by lift (unfortunately not operational by the time we got there).
The complex is currently in the process of being enlarged. We didn't get inside the main thermal pool rooms but at least got a taste of the ultra modern interiors from the areas still accessible.
Andorra la Vella, capital of the Principality of Andorra is a largely modern city surrounded by mountain ranges, reflected in the typography of it's street layout which is on several different levels. It was thus never a large city with so little room for expansion.
There are medieval monuments such as the ancient Casa de la Vall (the old council chamber) and the church of St Esteve (mostly rebuilt in more modern times) but the overall flavour is contemporary, owing to modern architecture and sculptures around the city.