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The Valle de Nuria is a valley in the Pyrenees located 2.000 meters above sea level in the municipality of Queralbs, in the Ripollés region, in the province of Gerona (Spain). Here is located the sanctuary of the Virgin of Nuria and a small family-type ski resort. To get to this place it is only possible by following one of the mountain paths that lead to Nuria or by means of a rack railway that can be taken from Ribes de Freser or from Queralbs.
History of Valle de Nuria
Before the ski resort we could already find the sanctuary of the Virgin of Nuria, which was a pilgrimage center in the province and the starting point for many excursions through the countryside. The trend began in the late 1916th century when a movement began promoting outdoor sports, especially hiking and mountain activities. The opening of the temple in winter was held in XNUMX and this was the germ of the later ski resort.
Quite an adventure, not only because of the inclement weather but because access at that time had to be done on foot from Queralbs. It was necessary to wait until 1931 when the rack railway was installed to make the arrival in the Valle de Nuria more comfortable.
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The sanctuary of Nuria
According to legend, San Gil lived in the valley for around four years after settling there around 700 AD When the Muslims invaded the Iberian Peninsula, he was forced to hide in a cave a carving of the Virgin Mary that he had made with his hands . Next to her he kept the crucifix that presided over his prayers, the pot with which he cooked and the bell with which he called the shepherds to come to eat.
Centuries later, a pilgrim named Amadeo from Dalmatia landed in these lands to look for the carving of San Gil after having a divine revelation. When he found it in the year 1.049, he built a small chapel to keep all the objects that the saint had placed in the cave.
The image of the Virgin that is venerated today dates from the XNUMXth or XNUMXth century. Romanesque in style, it is made of polychrome wood and has primitive features. Sitting on his lap is the baby Jesus giving the blessing with his hands. They both wear robes and a cloak.
As a curiosity, before the restoration the carving had a blackish color as a result of the smoke from the veins, the humidity and the passage of time. That earned him the nickname "the brunette from the Pyrenees."
In addition, the Virgin of Nuria has always been highly venerated by those couples with difficulties in having children. Those who find themselves in this situation should visit the sanctuary and say a prayer while putting their head in the San Gil pot and ringing the bell. It is said that many have obtained the grace of fertility in this way and if they conceived a girl it is customary to name her Nuria.
The ski resort
The Nuria Valley has a ski resort called the Vall de Núria. The base of the station is 1.964 meters in a place surrounded by 3.000 meter high peaks. It has a total of eleven alpine ski slopes (three blue, three red, three green and two black) as well as a special toboggan run. In total, 7,6 kilometers of marked slopes.
It is a family-type ski resort as it has a controlled environment and also has accommodation, so those who visit the Nuria Valley have the opportunity to spend the night here if they wish.
Image | Vall de Núria
Cogwheel train to the Nuria Valley
The only means of transport to access the Valle de Nuria is the rack railway, which travels almost 13 kilometers and overcomes an unevenness of more than a thousand meters. The trip on this train is an unforgettable experience, not only because of the spectacularity and beauty of the landscape but because the journey is accompanied by an explanation of the main points of the route in detail and also offers the traveler cava and pasta. You can even enjoy a vintage trip in the luxury saloon car that circulates only on special occasions and has transported illustrious figures from Catalan society.