Casa de la Vall: Andorra's Historic Parliament House

Casa de la Vall was built in 1580 as a family home and later became the seat of the General Council, Andorra's parliament. It is one of the country's most recognisable historic buildings, set above the old quarter of Andorra la Vella.

The former parliament chamber and the rooms of the house tell the story of a small country whose political institutions developed over many centuries. The building remained the parliamentary seat until the new parliament house opened in 2011.

The archive cabinet is traditionally secured by seven locks, with a different key held by each parish. It could only be opened when representatives from all seven parishes were present, a striking symbol of Andorra's shared governance.

The cabinet kept important documents and records. Its seven locks were a practical safeguard as well as a reminder that decisions belonged to the whole country, not to one parish alone.

The carved coat of arms on the entrance is one of the details visitors often stop to examine. Its heraldic symbols recall the historic links that shaped Andorra and appear throughout the country's civic identity.

Casa de la Vall is a guided-visit attraction, so check the current opening schedule and book ahead, especially during busy holiday periods. Tours introduce the historic rooms, the Council chamber and the building's architectural details.

Allow time to walk through the nearby old town as well. The steep lanes, stone houses and small squares make a natural continuation of the visit. A short video tour is useful if you want to see the interiors before booking.