Sort is a city and municipality in Spain, the capital of the provinces Pallars Sobirà, Lleida province, Catalonia. The city is located at an altitude of 692 m above sea level, near the Noguera Pallaresa River, a tributary of the Segre River, Pyrenees.
The name “Sort” in Catalan means “good luck”. The lottery ticket shop “La Bruixa d’Or” (“Golden Witch”) is the most famous in Catalonia. They say that this shop sells a lot of winning tickets – according to statistics, those who buy tickets from this shop are more likely to win.
The administrative division of Sort includes the traditional district of Sort, as well as the settlements of Llessui and Enviny that were joined in 1970. In 1976, Altron was also attached to the municipality. The territory of the municipality extends along the shores of the Sort, Barran de Montardit valley (Mall del Barranc de Montardi), Barranc de Santa Anna valley (vall del Barranc de Santa Anna) and almost all of the Val d’Asua valley (Vall d’Àssua).
In the north, the land is bordered by the municipality of Espot, in the north-east by Rialp, in the south by Soriguera, and in the west by Baix Pallars and Torre de Capdella.
Tourism and attractions
Sant Feliu de Sort is the parish church of the city, in the old municipal district, the Pallars district of Sobir. It is located in the city center, in the Plaza Mayor, opposite the C13 national highway. This monument of Romanesque architecture belongs to the objects of cultural significance and is protected by the state.
The church has three naves and a rectangular “back” facing the west. Tts facade is located at the foot of the nave. In the north-eastern part of the tower stands a powerful bell tower.
Sant Esteve de Castellviny – a parish church, is also included on the list of Spain’s architectural heritage sights. The church was built in a strictly Romanesque style. It is located in the suburbs of Sort.
The Sort Castle, located at the top of the town (far northwest), occupies a wide polygonal perimeter 700 meters above sea level. The fortress sits on a large open ground with a surface of 1,934 m², closed by a series of walls that define the polygonal perimeter.
The ancient fortress of the Counts of Pallars was presumably built in the 11th century. In the Middle Ages, the fortress served as a defense mechanism. In the era of civil wars in Spain, there were prisons in the citadel. Only in 2007, the local municipality opened a museum in this area. Museum expositions are devoted to the Catalan wars, including the era of the Second World War.
The narrow and winding streets of the city are of separate architectural interest.
Activities
Rafting and kayaking are the main sports activities in Sort, and are famous both in Europe and in other countries of the world. The Noguera Pallares River is the most important river in the Pallars district of Sobir and one of the three best in Europe where water sports are held. In particular, in 2018, events on the river (stage 1 and 2) of the World Free Kayak Championship were held, as well as the Spanish Cup kayak (slalom) for juniors.
Shopping
There are markets 2-3 times a week where you can buy local delicacies – cheeses, ham, sausages, bakery products, Pyrenean pastries.
Buying good clothes here is unlikely. The closest shopping centers are in Lleida and Barcelona.
Best hotels
Hotel Pessets & SPA is located in Sort, near the banks of the Noguera-Pallaresa river. It offers a spa, pool and gym. All the rooms at the Pessets Spa Hotel overlook the garden which has swimming pool, or the city.
Shortest distances
From Girona 3 hr 21 min (245 km) via C-25
From Lleida 1 hr 47 min (127 km) via C-12 and C-13
From Tarragona 2 hr 45 min (195 km) via C-14
From Barcelona 3 hr 28 min (238 km) via A-2
From Madrid 6 hr 44 min (603 km) via A-2
From Andorra 1 hr 18 min (70.7 km) via Eje Pirenaico/N-260
Main information
Area: 105.13 km²
Population: 2.113
Languages: Spanish, Catalan
Currency: euro
Visa: Schengen
Time: Central European UTC +1, in summer +2
GPS coordinates: 42°25′N 1°8′E
