Lac de Montsec – Stéphanie Condis
North of the Lleida lands, the Noguera region is pure Catalonia. Purity of the sky, which allows a perfect observation of the stars. Purity of the dam lakes, with turquoise waters. Purity of nature with wild mountains. Air, water, earth all that is missing is the fire! You will find it in the hearts of Catalans, lovers of their heritage. A passion that they know how to transmit.

The air: Montsec, the center of observation of the universe
In the Vall d’Àger, the sky is so clear that it is one of the best spots in the world to practice astronomy. No urban light pollution, little rain day and night the conditions are ideal for contemplating the sun, the moon and the planets.

The Montsec astronomical park was created in the late 2000s so that scientists and the general public could admire the sky. Adults and children watch 3D projections in the planetarium or observe the sky live thanks to the opening of the main dome and the numerous telescopes.

Permanent exhibitions explain the origins of the universe, the formation of the solar system, etc. They also present the geology, fauna and flora of Montsec which dominates the valley.

If shooting stars are not there, you can always be amazed by watching the colorful paragliders fly from the top of the mountain. Notice to amateurs, the school is located in the village of Àger.

Water: the gorges of Mont-Rebei
Formed after the construction of the Canelles dam in the 1970s, the artificial lake spreads it’s unreal and indefinable blue, since it changes according to the weather.

What a pleasure to slide on its calm waters, among the mountains sometimes peeled, sometimes green, with a frail kayak as a boat. It squeezes through the impressive coves and cays, to go up the course of the gorges of Mont-rebei. A fantastic parade dug by the Noguera Ribagorçana river in the Montsec massif.

From below, you can see the notched rock wall as if to create a walkway, which is actually only used by hikers. No risk of assault, therefore, even from the small metal bridge, suspended over the water between two cliffs, one in Catalonia, the other in Aragon.

The only disturbing silhouettes are those of vultures, which graze the steep walls. Unless it is a rare species, the bearded vulture. It’s a real chance to see their ballet as a duet, these funny birds living in pairs.

The earth: the remains of Àger and Os de Balaguer
The limestone mountains of Montsec, culminating at 1676 m and extending over 40 km long, were used in the 11 th century, the border between Muslim and Christian territories. The Count of Urgell and his faithful lord Arnau Mir de Tost had delivered Àger from Arab domination and built a stronghold on a strategic promontory overlooking the valley.

Today, the castle and the collegiate church of Sant Pere d’Àger, reworked and restored several times, are open to visitors. They discover a diverse set Lombard Romanesque to the fortified church, gothic cloister to the late 14 th century, walls or mixing Arab and Christian foundations stones.

20 km away, a much older era awaits the curious: the cave of Vilars, in Os de Balaguer, houses cave paintings from the Bronze Age, listed as World Heritage by Unesco. Twenty drawings depict men and women dancing or hunting deer, foxes and wolves. The land of Noguera has many surprises!

Spain Visa Singapore for citizens and foreign nationals living there.