The Rural Habitat route is an interesting way to learn more about the customs and way of life of the people of Andorra until the early 20th century. It’s made up of four historic house-museums where you can tour all the rooms, from the kitchen to the bedroom, and other family and work rooms. This ethnographic route represents an original way to learn about the history of the country and explore the social differences of Andorra’s past. This page offers the most relevant data on the four historic house-museums included on the route. All of them offer guided tours in different languages, so all our visitors can travel back in time and really get into the customs of the families that lived there.
Casa Areny-Plandolit, a country house of the high society
Casa Areny-Plandolit, an estate located in Ordino, reveals what life was like for a high-society family in the late 18th century and early 19th century in Andorra. Its owners belonged to an illustrious family in the Principality, who were linked to politics and were the owners of one of the most important forges in the country at the time. You can see this in the rich diversity of furniture and rooms, where you’ll quickly spot an office desk. Access the virtual tour on Google Maps to discover this house-museum, or visit the website of the Museums of the Principality of Andorra for more details about the visit.
Casa Cristo, an example of a humble country house
Casa Cristo, meanwhile, is an interesting place to learn about the countryside where the humblest in Andorran society lived in the past. Located in Encamp, in the heart of the village, it’s well adapted to the limited space they had available on their land. It belonged to a family of landless labourers, as you can tell from their tools and the smaller, cosier spaces inside the house. It was inhabited until 1947 and is built around a fireplace that the family would gather around. On Google Maps, you can take a virtual tour of the house, and on the website of the Museums of the Principality of Andorra you will find further information and contact details to visit this house, where the essence of Andorra's rural life is still preserved.
Casa Rull, home to a family of farmers with land
Casa Rull is in the picturesque village of Sispony in the parish of La Massana. It’s a beautiful example of a country house, as it belonged to the Perich family, who owned land in Andorra, allowing them to build a large house with some spectacular views.
It has some large rooms on the upper floors, while the ground floor was dedicated to farm work. Its wealth of tools gives you an idea of what farm life was like back then. That's why it became one of the most important houses in the parish. Now you can also visit it virtually on Google. The website of the Museums of the Principality provides more information.
Cal Pal: A Sociocultural Space in Ordino
Located in the village of La Cortinada, in Ordino, Cal Pal has evolved from being an inn to becoming a sociocultural space that, through exhibitions and displays, invites us to reflect on the identity, origins, and natural and cultural heritage of Andorra. From its construction in 1347, the house underwent numerous changes and remodelling processes as it passed down through each family, until it took on its current form in the early 19th century. It became part of Andorra’s natural heritage inventory in 2011. Now converted into a house museum, Cal Pal finally opens its doors to the public after 15 years of closure, presenting its first exhibition: ‘la primera pedra’ (the first stone). The exhibition displays 15 dry stone constructions, through which visitors will learn about the history of the country. You will find more details about visiting it at this link.
Museums on the list of the Andorra Museum Passport, Andorra Museumpass.
