This was the main shopping street in the old town, and just a few minutes away from the Parador. The street is pedestrianised, and nearly 4 kms long! Day two dawned and I knew I was in trouble – my back was in spasm and so it was a return to the pills and the belt, with lying down on a hot beanbag in the afternoons. However, as intrepid travellers, one has to keep active. We explored this streets, and its many offerings over the days in Lleida.
Shops and Cafes
There are endless cafes and restaurants in the Cale Mayor, and some very classy shops. We also noticed rather odd mobile phone shops, and wondered if they were the equivalent of English corner shops, or barbers…
Placa de la Paeria
This is the ‘main’ square on the street, and the building is the City Hall, and the headquarters of the City Council. The palace has been here since the 14th century. Inside is a central courtyard.
And there was an extraordinary painted ceiling on a landing above the stairs:
But that is not all. In one corner of the courtyard stairs lead to underground excavations. Here there are remains of a building dating from the Roman times, and Arab baths of the 9th and 10th centuries.
Street Music
There was always someone making music!
Placa de Sant Joan
The square of St John dates from the 12th century and its size and appearance have changed over the years.
The Church of St John dates from the 19th century, but it has Romanesque foundations, and possibly was a mosque at some point.
And at some point during the day there was the necessary coffee stop!
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