Wellspring of Culture
- Caldea -

 
Even as far back as the last century, the hot spa waters of this area captured the interest of a number of foreign companies who wanted to create a spa and recreational centre geared towards a tourism for the elite.
But it was not until the 1 990's, that the spa leisure centre of CALDEA finally saw the light of day, bringing together both new contemporary tendencias as well as a desire to regenerase old attractions and this has meant the revival of hot spas. The latter, which had been at the turn of the century the driving force behind the first hotel infrastructure in Escaldes, is now the rnain protagonist of Andorra's new internacional tourist promotional campaigns. CALDEA brings back to life the sense of hot spas but with a recreational focus which differentiates it from its earlier medicinal use.

This building, completely made of glass, takes on the shape of an ice mountain. It was designed by the French architect Jean- Michel Ruols.

caldea.BMP (178830 bytes)

"Caldea"   aqua-recreational centre
  • Nature itinerary: you can also hike to Engolasters along the old track that leads from La Tosca bridge on the way out of Escaldes-Engordany.

lf you wish to travel by vehicle, another interesting touristic circuit is the road that runs to La Comella and from there to Andorra la Vella. You can take this road at a turning about half-way up the road to Engolasters. At this same point, which coincides with the crossing of the river Madriu, you can see

  • the sculpture "Pep, lu, CanòIic, Ton, Meritxell, Romà, Anna, Pau, Carles, Eugènia... and the rest" by the Swedish artist Erik Dietman.

Frorn here you can take the hiking trail of Ràmio to the valley of the Madriu via Coll de Jou and Entremesaigües. Another circuit is the Els Vilars track in the upper part of Engordany, which leads to:

  • The church of Sant Romà deis Vilars: this is a pre-Romanesque church from the 10th century.

lf you decide to hike along this trail, you come to another interesting sight:

  • The Roc de Sant Jaume d'Engordany: this ancient monastic habitation dates from the 8th century.