Language/Catalan/Culture/Andorra-History

Brief history of Andorra

In this article, we have written the history of Andorra in such a way that it is clear and pleasant: in the form of a chronology of dates. From the pre-Roman era and the founding of the country to the present day, all of the most relevant events, events and changes are listed by date and time and organized by historical epoch or age. We hope you like it.

Foundation of the country

• 1st century BC. C .: Polybius mentions a battle of the local (Andean) inhabitants against the Carthaginian Aníbal , on his way through the Pyrenees on his way to Rome.
• 27 a. C . : The territory joins the newly created Roman province of Hispania Tarraconense, to which it belonged even after the creation of the Visigothic kingdom.
• 714 : The Muslims invade Andorra and drive out the Visigoths from the territory. The Andorran valleys are part of the Superior Mark of al-Andalus . The territory was a battleground between the Franks and Andalusia.
• 788 : Traditional date of Andorra's independence. Charlemagne invades and consolidates the territory , after having fought the Arab army in the valley of Querol, according to the most exhaustive data and the Andorran tradition. Although the Arabs had the advantage, a group of Andorran mountain people from the Valira river valleys coordinated by Marc Almugàver helped Charlemagne to fight the Arabs in Pimorent and Campcardós, thus promoting victory over the Muslims. The emperor thanked the gesture granting protection to Andorra and declaring it sovereign people. In addition, he donated tithing and other rights to the bishops of Urgel. The Charter of the Founding of Andorra, which is kept in the archives of the Principality, was granted by Charlemagne to his son Luis, although not all historians accept it because it was written much later.
• 817 : Andorra, Urgel and Cerdanya are part of Carolingian Sovereignty.

Feudal and medieval times

• 843 : First documented mention of Andorra . The Carolingian Empire is dismembered and with a precept, the emperor Carlos el Calvo gives to his faithful Sunifredo, Count of Urgell, among others, the valley of Andorra.
• 839 : It's time to do the regions of this region of the Pyrenees. The Act of consecration and endowment of the Cathedral of Seo de Urgel , where the valley of Andorra is mentioned and for the first time their territorial organization by parish as dependent neighborhoods of this diocese, together with the religious relationship with the SEO of Urgel is confirmed.
• X-XI centuries : There are constant conflicts between the nobles of Caboet, Castellbò and the Bishopric of Urgell for the control and sovereignty of Andorra.
• 1133 : Count Ermengol VI of Urgell transfers to Bishop Pere Berenguer and Urgell Cathedral all the rights he had or could have in the Valleys of Andorra in perpetuity and without reservation, and the inhabitants of the Valleys are condemned to pay allegiance to the bishop and his successors.
• 1162 : An agreement is signed with Bishop Bernat Sanç for the designation of the Batlles in return for an annual tribute.
• 1176 : A new agreement with Bishop Arnau de Preixens completes the previous one. Due to the situation of political instability in France and Spain in the Middle Ages due to the internal conflicts between the small kingdoms and the constant invasions of the Arabs, the Counts of Urgel asked for help and set about agreement with the Counts of Caboet to protect the Andorran parishes .
• 1095-1159 : The various members of the Caboet family (Guitard Isarn de Caboet, Guillem Guitard de Caboet, Arnau de Caboet) remain faithful to the Bishopric of Urgell, consolidating the union by which, in compensation, they promise to share the domain of Andorra, which happens to be an episcopal lordship .
• 1185 : Union of Caboet and Castellbò surnames in the destination of Andorra . Arnaua, eldest daughter of the Casa de los Caboet, married Arnau de Castellbó.
• 13th century:  The fight for the sovereignty of Andorra happens to be between the bishops of Urgell and the counts of the Foix family.
• 1201 : The contemporary bishop of Urgell, Bernat de Vilamur, grants Viscount Arnau de Castellbó and his only daughter and heiress Ermessanda the valleys of Andorra in exchange for the oath of loyalty.
• 1208 : Ermessanda marries the count of Foix Roger Bernat II, thus adding the house of Foix to the seigneury via marriage alliances .
• 1257 : Roger Bernat III marries Margarida de Bearn. A time of conflict arises, since Pedro III the Great of Aragon supports and protects the rights of the bishop, while his brother Jaume II of Mallorca, Roussillon and Sardinia, married to Esclarmonda (sister of Roger Bernat III), protects his brother-in-law, the count of Foix.
• 1278 : Obliged by Father II of Catalonia, Roger Bernat III, the Count of Foix and Viscount of Castellbò and the Bishop of Urgel Father d'Urtx sign an agreement , on September 8, in Lérida, for which the latter renounces part of its rights and both share the sovereignty of Andorra. This agreement is known as the “ Premier pariatge ”, a very important fact in the history of the Principality and discussed by historians as the first European constitution. The harvest is undivided on the territory. Andorra paid feudal homage to the Count of Foix and the Bishop of Urgel.
• 1278 : Signature of the second pariatge between Pere d'Urtx, Bishop of Urgell and Roger Bernat III. The Andorrans therefore have two sovereigns.
• 1396 : Martin l'Humain, annexed the valleys of Andorra, as the power of France & Count Foix increased, but was returned to the house of Foix 4 years later.
• 1419 : The Earth Council is constituted and legitimized , the original parliament of the current one, one of the oldest in Europe. It was an institution for the management of common affairs, with the power to appoint trustees and lawyers for the defense of rights and privileges.

The modern era

The 16th century, full of dynamism and changes, also had its effect in Andorra. Nobles and kings regarded the land without much interest and used it as a simple exchange for firmer political strategies. The territory was the possession of various kings and monarchs . The Catholic monarchs attached it to the crown after the battle against the Dukes of Foix, but during the reign of Charles V Andorra was returned to the house of Foix.

• 1479 : The county of Foix was adopted in 1479 possession of the Béarn territories of the Kingdom of Navarre , also called since Baja Navarra.
• 1589 : Henri III, king of Navarre and count of Foix becomes king of France, with the name of Henri IV. Thus, a series of transfers of the title in the French perimeter and the shared seigneury acquires the co-main range .
• 1607-1620 : Luís XIII, successor of Enrique IV, decides to unite the title of king of Navarre and his rights transmitted from the co-principal of Andorra, like the county of Foix, to the crown of France. So, from there, all the titles are united and the successive heads of state of France become co-princes with the bishop of Urgel , a dignity that is maintained even when the monarchy of France disappears.
• The first years of the 18th century : Andorra manages to remain neutral in the War of the Spanish Succession.
• 1715 : The Bishop of Urgell Simeó de Guinda dictates various regulations in which the consuls of the valleys of Andorra were instructed not to obey an order that was not issued by the King of France or himself.
• 1748:  Antoni Fiter i Rosell, Doctor of Law and Natural Sciences from Ordino, writes the “ Condensed Manual of the Valls Neustras d'Andorra ” (Compendium of the history, uses and customs, privileges and political organization of 'Andorra), known as the Andorran Bible. Andorran historical archives such as those of Charlemagne and Ludovico Pius are transcribed in this document. It also includes a whole series of moral norms called "maxims", in the extension of traditional Catalan customary law based on Roman law.
• 1763 : Mosén Antoni Puig, originally from Escaldes, simplifying the work of Dr Fiter i Rossell writes his version entitled " Politar Andorrà ", A work also very important in the history of Andorra and which describes among other things the privileges of the Principality and the powers of the authorities.
• 1789 : The outbreak of the French Revolution leaves Andorra between two powers, France and Spain, continually at odds. The French revolutionaries of the First Republic refused to maintain  the pariatge  for its feudal origin and it was interrupted, also suspending relations with France and the collection of taxes from the Qüestia, and renouncing the titles of the co-principal.
• 1794 : In full  war with Spain , a French detachment entered Andorra as far as  Soldeu  , trying to occupy the Seo de Urgel. But an Andorran representation went to  Puigcerda  and convinced General Chabret to resign from this operation.
• Contemporary period
• Monument to the new reform, Andorra la Vella
• 1806 : Napoleon Bonaparte returned to accept his sovereignty as head of the French state at the express request of the Andorrans by decree, acting as co-prince of Andorra, considering that the royal decree of 1620 had transmitted part of the French sovereignty to the French state, be it the monarchy or the republic. He also restored the positions of French Veguer and Batlle, the Qüestia and the customs exemptions granted years ago by Louis XV. This definitive restoration of the co-principle marks a before and an after in the Valleys of Andorra, open to the world . The first books are also published, highlighting "Relation sur la Vallée d'Andorra" by Fray Tomas Junoy.
• 1812-1814 : The French Empire nominal annexes Catalonia divides it into four departments (Segre, Ter, Montserrat and Bocas del Ebro). Andorra was part of the district of Puigcerdá, within the department of Segre.
• 1866 : Guillem de Plandolit i de Areny, noble and wealthy landowner, directs the "Nova Reforma" ( New Reform ) with Antón Meastre, which was accepted by Bishop Josep Caixal i Estradé on April 14 of the same year. This profound reform of the institutions supposes a process of democratization and granting a more active participation to the people in the government of the country.. Among other things, the right to vote was granted to all heads of family, the incompatibility between the post of general councilor and that of common councilor was admitted, and the People's Commissar was created to control the administration and public accounts. In addition, the “Consell General” was subsequently made up of 24 advisers chosen from among the administrators. The reform was accepted by the Bishop of Urgel.
• 1869 : Napoleon III accepts and ratifies the New Reform as co-prince of Andorra.
• End of the 19th and beginning of the 20th century : economic difficulties forced many Andorrans to emigrate from the country.
• 1899 : The Administrative Road Council is formed.
• 1914 : The first road connecting Andorra to foreigners , in particular with Spain (Seo de Urgel). In addition, the Virgin of Meritxell is declared Patron Saint of the Valleys of Andorra.
• 1921 : In September, the Archbishop of Tarragona together with Bishop De Urgel canonically crown the image of the Mare de Déu de Meritxell. This day is proclaimed National Day of the Principality.
• 1928 : The Spanish government created a postal service with Andorra.
• 1929 : The first electricity production facility was created, which will begin to operate in 1934. It is the Escaldes hydroelectric power station , managed by FEDA , which uses water from Lake Engolasters at an altitude of 1,616 meters. to generate electricity.
• 1931 : France creates its own postal service with Andorra.
• 1933 : Despite the workers' strikes, the route of the road that communicated with the Seo de Urgel in Pas de la Casa is completed , on the border with France. Popular altercations occur to obtain universal male suffrage and the General Council of Andorra, under pressure, agrees. After that, the Court of Justice, considering the fact as a disobedience to the co-princes, dismissed the General Council. The President of the French Republic then sent a detachment of gendarmes to restore order , and finally the permanent delegates of the co-princes call elections. The electoral system was reformed on July 17, when any man over 30 could be elected, and they hadright to vote for all men over 25 years of age .
• 1934 : The Russian Borís Skósyrev, with the promise of wealth and improvements for a rural and backward Andorra, proposed like king and the proposal obtained the approval of the General Council. However, the bishop of Seo de Urgel disowned him and Borís declared war on him and proclaimed himself sovereign prince. The bishop brought a sergeant and four agents into the Principality who arrested the Russian and took him to Barcelona, ​​where he was tried and expelled from Spanish territory. Those days were the only historical period in which Andorra did not depend on any other state.
• 1935 : The first radio station is created, Radio Andorra , with a license issued by the General Council.
• 1936 : The Spanish Civil War breaks out and the presence of French gendarmes to prevent attacks by the government of General Franco , until 1940, when France surrenders to the German army. Andorra continued its strict neutrality, also thanks to the understanding between all the parties, and welcomed the continued arrival of political refugees and immigrants.
• 1937 : Andorra suffered severe flooding.
• 1943 : The last execution in the lands of Valles of a condemned to death by a vile club takes place. The death penalty has been abolished .
• 1944 : Due to World War II, in which Andorra has traditionally remained neutral, a detachment of French gendarmes (without agreement with the Bishop of La Seo) and a group of civil guards installed in Andorra, but there is no no notable confrontation between the two forces, which remained in the Principality until  1945 .
• 1958 : Andorra signs a peace treaty with Germany, because it was forgotten in the Treaty of Versailles and legally the two countries were until then at war, although they never had a conflict.
• During the hippie decade of the 1960s and 1970s, the Principality's standard of living rose rapidly, resembling that of a modern country. The population doubled in twelve years and reached 12,199 inhabitants in 1964.  The great commercial and tourist development also began , the first facilities for the practice of winter sports were developed. Skiing is declared a national sport. However, discrimination against non-nationals is increasing, due to the increase in immigration, Andorran nationals becoming a minority.
• 1967 : The co-prince  Charles de Gaulle  he visited the Principality and was received with great enthusiasm after the dark period of the conflict of the world war.
• 1968: The " Caixa Andorrana de Seguretat Social" (CASS) is created and the automatic telephone service and telex are inaugurated.
• 1970 : Lowering the voting age to 21 was approved and women were allowed to vote , although discrimination against the non-national population increased.
• 1971 : The new electoral reforms are applied during the elections of December 15. Andorran women vote for the first time.
• 1973 : The first meeting of the two co-princes since the 13th century, Joan Martí i Alanis and George Pompidou, takes place.
• 1978 : the parish of Escaldes-Engordany was separated from that of Andorra la Vieja, thus becoming the seventh civil parish of the Principality.
• 1982 : The first newly formed Andorran government took office , for the first time separating the executive legislative power. Serious floods have left the Principality in secrecy and caused many deaths and injuries. 
• 1990-1992 : The Principality signs an agreement with the  European Economic Community  and approves a new penal code.
• 1993 : The second Constitution is approved by referendum (The first was that of Boris I, who never postulated), thus definitively leaving feudalism, declaring the Andorran people as the sole sovereign of the State, and becoming a modern country with a current parliamentary government, reducing the power of the co-princes. This enabled it to enter the United Nations as a full member.

News

• 1995 : Andorra Television (VTT) and the law on the acquisition of nationality is reformed, making it more flexible. As a result, the Andorran national population increased at the end of the 90s.
• 1997 : The University of Andorra legally, although it has been operating since 1988 in nursing and computer science schools.
• 2002 : The Principality adopted the  euro as its official currency , along with France and Spain.
• 2003: Agreements  enter into force between the Principality, the Kingdom of Spain and the French Republic concerning the entry, movement, stay and establishment of citizens.
• 2004 : The University of Andorra acquires its own campus in Sant Julià de Lòria.
• 2006 : The Principality reaches for the first time more than 80,000 inhabitants.
• 2008:  Entry into force of the agreement between the Principality and Portugal concerning the entry, stay and establishment of their nationals, and of the agreement between Andorra and the Holy See.
• 2011 : Inauguration of the new Parliament , leaving the Casa de la Vall as its historic seat. In the area of ​​taxation, Andorra ratifies 17 tax information exchange agreements with the Republic of Austria, Liechtenstein, Monaco, San Marino, France, Belgium, Argentina, the Netherlands , Portugal, Spain, Denmark, the government of the Faroe Islands, Finland, Greenland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden.

Since the beginning of the 21st century and, especially since the last decade, Andorra has promoted a series of reforms that have completely changed the country . It has ceased to be a tax haven for all international institutions, has made a deep economic and political opening and is constantly opening up to the world and betting on the most innovative sectors, such as Blockchain, Big Data or digital. . The goal is to be an open and welcoming country, complete, free but safe, sustainable and special and unique . And despite the difficulties, she succeeds.

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Even now Andorra is a very attractive jurisdiction to invest , but also to live. In Andorra Insiders we collaborate with the best expert lawyers, attorneys and accountants to settle and settle in the Principality in complete safety and carefree. In addition, we not only provide professional legal, tax and accounting services, but we offer full support , personalize your case and help you with all the details that means changing countries: from finding accommodation or premises and staff to human resources to guide you on a daily basis in the country and show you all its services.You can contact us and let us know your case here. We will help you quickly and accurately. Thanks for reading.