Urbanya brings together a mountain village, Romanesque heritage and a natural valley landscape. Slate roofs, the river and two narrow bands of settlement give the village a distinctive architectural and landscape profile. Other features include the parish church of Saint-Étienne, the remains of a military structure and its location within a Natura 2000 protected area. This gives you several perspectives to consider when planning your trip: the village layout, its architectural history and the landscape each reveal a different side of the same destination.
Village Layout and Natural Landscape
The houses are roofed with slate slabs, reflecting the village’s mountain character in its architecture. Urbanya lies along two narrow bands of settlement on either side of the river. The Urbanya River runs through the village and flows into the Caillau at the end of the valley. Garrigue and maquis shape the valley, which offers a very natural landscape. Urbanya also lies within the Massif de Madres-Coronat Natura 2000 protected area. This area includes both Alpine and Mediterranean biogeographical regions: 84.85 percent is Alpine and 15.15 percent Mediterranean. The Alpine share is considerably larger, but both classifications are part of the area.
Saint-Étienne: Romanesque Architecture
The parish church of Saint-Étienne is of Romanesque origin and was first mentioned in the 13th century. It has a single-nave layout, ending in a semicircular apse facing east; a chapel was added later on the south side. The masonry of dressed stones is visible on the apse. The nave and apse are different parts of the church: the main space and its semicircular end. Together with the southern chapel, these features show the church’s basic form, orientation and a later structural addition. The orientation and the chapel’s location offer two different clues: the direction of the main building and a later extension.
La Roca llise and the Military Remains
Another historical feature stands at the entrance to Urbanya. On the rocky, steep slope of La Roca llise are the remains of an old military structure built from small rubble masonry. By way of architectural comparison, Saint-Étienne foregrounds the form of a religious building, while La Roca llise highlights function, its hillside location and rubble masonry.
Connections to Nohèdes
The routes between the villages are also relevant when planning your visit. Paths lead from Nohèdes to Urbanya on foot; Nohèdes is the neighbouring municipality. The connection between the two villages crosses the Col de Marsac. Paths lead from Nohèdes to Urbanya on foot; the route between the neighbouring municipalities goes via the Col de Marsac. Road and path conditions may vary. If you plan to use one of these routes for your visit, check the conditions of your chosen route in advance. For orientation, it is worth considering the footpaths and the pass route separately.
Discover more destinations: Font-Romeu-Odeillo-Via, Planèzes, Angoustrine-Villeneuve-Des-Escaldes, Saint-Hippolyte, Saint-Marsal, Villelongue-De-La-Salanque, Perpignan, Vingrau.
Return to the main travel overview: Pyrénées-Orientales.
