Lerida Cuisine:
Catalan olive oil ranks amongst the world's best - the unique Arbequina olive produces a delicious, soft rich taste which is unequalled. When eating out make a point of sampling the "pa amb tomaquet" - a traditional Catalan dish of toast with tomato and olive oil.
Snails form the basic ingredient of one of Lerida's gastronomic specialities, cargols a la llauna (snails in a tin). Each of the different regions provides its own speciality: trout, duck with turnip, "olla aranesa" (meat and vegetable stew) xolas (pork sausages), etc. The olive oil produced in Les Garrigues has its own Designation of Origin standard. The excellent fruit which the fertile Lerida soil provides is used in either desserts or in delicious cakes and pastries, prime examples being the "turron" (nougat) and Agramunt chocolate. Some of the best wines in Spain are produced under the Costers de Segre Designation of Origin guarantee, among which feature the wines of Raimat.
About the Area
To get to know the Lerida people better, a visit to the city can be made during one of the festivals which are held throughout the year, such as those to honour the patron saint, Sant Anastasi -11 May - the Moors and Christians Festival or the peculiar Aplec de Cargol, when hundreds of kilos of snails are eaten.
In the high Pyrenees is a stunning National Park. As well as being a natural space with high ecological value, it also has a rich architectural heritage, since it is home to a series of Romanesque churches of Vall de Boa, declared a World Heritage Site.
This mountain range likewise houses some of the best ski resorts in the country: Baqueira-Beret, Espot-Esqui, Port del Comte and Port-Aina. In Val de Ara¡n, next to Baqueira, are the parador hotels of Artaes and Vielha. To the northeast of the province is the Parador de Turismo de La Seu d´Urgell, which has an old Renaissance cloister.
Attractions
Castle de la Zuda - This Arabian castle dates back to the Moorish Occupation, a period stretching from 711 - 1492. The Christian era commenced thereafter, with King Jaime I rebuilding the palace in the 13th century. The chapel was built during the time of Pedro the Ceremonious but was partially destroyed during the War of Independence. The castle has three large towers and of particular interest inside are ogive vaults, decorated with Mudejar designs.
Cadi-Moixero Nature Reserve - Explore the natural beauty of Northern Spain; centuries old forests and sweeping valleys in an Alpine setting. The Nature Reserve dips into the provinces of Gerona, Lleida and Barcelona and encompasses forests of oak, beech and pine trees lining rugged mountainsides and valleys. You may come across shy red deer or roe deer or even a chamois or two leaping from rock to rock- animals more commonly seen in Northern Europe.
Cathedral Vieja de Lleida - The cathedral of Nuestra Senora de la Asuncion was built on the highest point of Puig del Castell between the 13th and 15th Centuries in dedication to Saint Mary. Interestingly enough, it stands on the site of an old mosque dated 1203. The building reflects the typical Romanesque style with a touch of Gothic influence.
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Lerida 
Lerida 
Barcelona
