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La Vall de Boí is a municipality located in the region of Alta Ribagorça, in the Pyrenees of Lleida, Spain. It consists of eight small population centers with around 1100 inhabitants.

The area boasts an almost untouched natural environment, with a great variety of vegetation, native species, rivers, lakes, and a highly diverse high-mountain climate. In terms of cultural heritage, Vall de Boí preserves the architectural structures and traditional domestic buildings that have been maintained over time, with the most significant landmarks being the Romanesque churches, a present testimony of the Romanesque period in Catalonia. The Aigüestortes i Estany de Sant Maurici National Park, the Caldes de Boí spa, the Boí Taüll ski resort, as well as the local traditions, gastronomy, and craftsmanship make Vall de Boí a unique place to explore and enjoy.

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Cóll

Inhabitants: 31. | Altitude: 1.170 m.

It is the first village at the entrance of the municipality, located on a large south-facing plateau, about 3 kilometers uphill from the L-500 road. Notable on the outskirts of the village is the Romanesque Church of the Assumption, dating back to the 12th century and consecrated in 1110. In the year 2000, it was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. The most emblematic element of the village is the "Creu de Terme," a single carved stone piece found along the old road that used to connect Cóll and Vilaller

Cardet

Inhabitants: 5. | Altitude: 1.197 m.

Cardet is the smallest village in the municipality. Like Cóll, it is accessed from a branch of the L-500 road and is located 1 km uphill. The village offers a beautiful vantage point with stunning panoramic views of the Cardet reservoir, the Salencar area, the valley, and the peaks of Vall de Boí. Its Romanesque church dedicated to Santa Maria dates back to the 11th and 12th centuries, forming part of the World Heritage ensemble. It has undergone some modifications and expansions in the 18th century.

Barruera

Inhabitants: 248. | Altitude: 1.096 m.

Barruera serves as the capital of the municipality and has become the main service center for Vall de Boí in recent years. The population has grown on either side of Carrer Major, the ancient road that led to Senet via the Gelada Pass, and around the L-500 road (Passeig de Sant Feliu). The most emblematic monument is the Romanesque church dedicated to Sant Feliu, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2000, dating back to the 11th and 12th centuries.

Durro

Inhabitants: 90. | Altitude: 1.395 m.

The village of Durro is situated high above the Noguera de Tor valley and somewhat distant from the main communication routes, which used to lead to the Ports of Caldes and Erta towards Taüll and Boí.

Durro was an independent entity until 1965 when it was added to the municipality of Vall de Boí. Today, it remains legally a Decentralized Municipal Entity along with the Saraís village.
Durro maintains a rustic and medieval atmosphere, with a steep old nucleus and houses that blend residential with agricultural and livestock aspects. The sturdiness of the buildings and the careful exterior decoration bear witness to the village's past prosperity.

The most remarkable feature is its 13th-century Romanesque Church of the Nativity, also declared a World Heritage Site, featuring a five-story square-plan bell tower with Lombard arches and a doorway adorned with capitals, columns, and archivolts. Nearby is the 12th-century hermitage of Sant Quirc, also declared a World Heritage Site, providing excellent views of the valley.

Erill la Vall

Inhabitants: 107. | Altitude: 1.250 m.

Erill la Vall is accessed from a branch of the L-500 road, which climbs 500 meters to reach the village. The settlement of Erill la Vall is located on a plateau, bordered by a set of rocky ridges.

In the heart of the village stands the 11th-century Church of Santa Eulàlia, featuring one of the best bell towers in the valley—an elegant square-plan tower with six stories, displaying Lombard architectural features. Inside, visitors can find a copy of the sculptural group of the Descent from the Cross, the only complete surviving work from the Erill workshop. Like the other churches in the valley, it was declared a World Heritage Site in 2000.

Adjacent to the church is the Romanesque Centre, responsible for the management and promotion of the Romanesque churches in Vall de Boí.

Boí

Inhabitants: 236. | Altitude: 1.265 m.

Boí, occupying an intermediary position between Caldes, Erill la Vall, and Taüll, likely resulted in it adopting the same name as the valley itself. According to Coromines, it is unlikely that the village gave its name to the valley, but rather the opposite.

Another curiosity is the name of the "Plaça del Treio," related to the Latin term "Trivium," meaning "three roads," suggesting that Boí was an important crossroads even during the Roman era. The castle, the walls, and the Romanesque Church of Sant Joan bear witness to the village's significance during the medieval period. Also noteworthy is the medieval bridge over the Sant Martí river.

Currently, Boí serves as the starting point to access the only national park in Catalonia, the Aigüestortes i Estany de Sant Maurici National Park, and the location of the Park House. The Church of Sant Joan, declared a World Heritage Site, preserves more architectural elements from the earliest construction period in the valley, dating back to the 11th century. The ensemble of murals found on the exterior and interior walls, featuring scenes such as the stoning of Saint Stephen, jesters, and bestiary, is particularly outstanding. These murals have been reproduced inside the church.

Taüll

Inhabitants: 286. | Altitude: 1.510 m

In the past, Taüll was the most important village in Vall de Boí, known as the "gateway to the valley" because anyone visiting the valley had to pass through the village; the road to the port led through Taüll, contributing to its growth and expansion, reflected in its three churches.

Situated within the Sant Martí river valley, Taüll is composed of two nuclei separated by a stream. Its two Romanesque churches are true gems of the style and were declared UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The 12th-century Church of Santa Maria, located in the Plaça Major, features a five-story bell tower following the architectural style typical of the valley. Notable features include the Lombard arch construction of the apses and the reproduction of the impressive pictorial ensemble of the central apse, the original of which is housed in the MNAC (National Art Museum of Catalonia). The church was consecrated by the bishop of Roda on December 11, 1123.

In the lower part of the village, the Church of Sant Climent stands, consecrated one day after Santa Maria by the bishop of Roda. Also in the same style and following the architectural line of the valley, it is the most emblematic construction of Catalan Romanesque. It is a Lombard-Romanesque structure from the 12th century, featuring Lombard arches on its three apses and twin windows with two and three arches.

The imposing square-plan bell tower consists of six stories with windows separated by sawtooth friezes. It houses an important set of murals, with the most remarkable being the central apse scene (the original of which is housed in the MNAC), featuring a Pantocrator, a true gem of art. The church also contains original murals, including the one depicting Cain killing Abel.

Pla de l'Ermita

Inhabitants: 91. | Altitude: 1.615 m.

Pla de l'Ermita was created alongside the Boí Taüll ski resort.

Today, it is a nucleus with various hotel facilities, apartments, and tourist services, designed for family vacations in a resort setting.

Close to the village, following a small path, you can access the Romanesque hermitage of Sant Quirc de Taüll, which was restored in 1992.