Church of Santa María de Arties

The Church of Santa Maria de Arties is a parish church of Romanesque character located in Arties, in the municipality of Naut Aran (Lleida, Catalonia), within the Val d'Aran and in the coordinates indicated. It is one of the main heritage references of the valley and is listed as a Cultural Asset of National Interest according to several tourist and heritage sources consulted. It was built between the 12th and 13th centuries, although the building also preserves later contributions. The architecture is fundamentally Romanesque, with a basilica floor plan with three naves and a tripartite chevet; some descriptions also point out Gothic and Renaissance elements in later phases or in its interior decoration. Among its most outstanding elements are the two doorways, the main one on the north façade with several semicircular arches, and the bell tower. Inside, the main Gothic altarpiece dedicated to the Virgin Mary, considered an outstanding work of Catalan Gothic painting, stands out, as well as medieval mural paintings and other artistic pieces preserved in the temple. The building is linked to the old Entresanaigües castle, next to which it was originally located, which reinforces its historical value within the medieval urban landscape of Arties. Its conservation and artistic relevance make it one of the most significant churches of the Aranese Romanesque heritage.