Aedes Ars - Sant Climent de Taüll

The monument and its history This Church is in the village of Taüll, in the Lleida Province of Spain. The village of Taüll, in the Boí Valley, is famous for the magnificent examples of Romanesque architecture that it preserves. In the 11th century three churches were built almost simultaneously, dedicated to Saint Mary, Saint Martin and Saint Clement. This church is located on the outskirts of the village. The exact dates of its construction are unknown, but the current church, built over the foundations of an earlier one, was consecrated in 1123. The most well known aspect of Sant Climent de Taüll is probably the mural paintings that decorated the central apse and the walls of the presbytery: they were found in 1922 during restoration work. The interior is outstanding for the simplicity of its forms and the lack of structural ornamental elements. In contrast, the exterior boasts Lombard-style decoration, with blind arches and pilaster strips, above which runs a sawtooth frieze. From an architectural standpoint, the most outstanding element is the bell tower, with a square ground plan and six storeys, five of which have windows framed with Lombard arches. In 2001 UNESCO declared the church a World Heritage Site.