Editing Lleida

{{About|the city|the Lleida region|Ponent|the province|Province of Lleida}}
{{Infobox settlement
| name               = Lleida
| official_name      = <!-- Lleida (Catalan) -->
| native_name        = {{Native name|ca|'''Lleida'''}} <br /> {{Native name|es|'''Lérida'''}}
| other_name         = 
| settlement_type    = [[Municipalities of Catalonia|Municipality]]
| image_skyline      = {{Multiple image
  | perrow = 1/2
  | border = infobox
  | total_width = 280 
  | caption_align = center
  | image1 = Lleida_-_panoramio_-_Jorge_Franganillo.jpg
  | caption1 = Lleida over the [[Segre (river)|Segre]] river
  | image2 = Conjunto monumental de la Seu Vella de Lleida.jpg
  | caption2 = [[La Seu Vella]]
  | image3 = Llotja. Lleida cropped.jpg
  | caption3 = [[La Llotja de Lleida|La Llotja]]
}}
| image_flag         = Flag of Lleida.svg
| image_shield       = Coat of Arms of Lleida.svg
| motto              = 
| image_map          = {{Maplink|frame=yes|plain=y|frame-width=285|frame-height=180|frame-align=center|frame-coordinates={{Coord|39.5|N|3.7|W}}|zoom=4|type=point|title=Lleida|marker=city|type2=shape|stroke-width2=2|stroke-color2=#808080|text=Interactive map of Lleida.}}
| map_caption        = Location of Lleida
| pushpin_map        = Spain Catalonia vegueries#Spain
| pushpin_map_caption= Location within Catalonia##Location within Spain
| image_map1         = [[File:Localització de Lleida respecte del Segrià.svg|150px]]
| map_caption1       = Location in Segrià county
| coordinates        = {{coord|41|37|00|N|00|38|00|E|region:ES_type:city|display=inline,title}}
| coordinates_footnotes = 
| subdivision_type  = [[Sovereign state]]
| subdivision_name  = [[Spain]]
| subdivision_type1  = [[Autonomous communities of Spain|Community]]
| subdivision_name1  = [[Catalonia]]
| subdivision_type2  = [[Vegueries of Catalonia|Region]]
| subdivision_name2  = [[Ponent]]
| subdivision_type3  = [[Comarques of Catalonia|County]]
| subdivision_name3  = [[Segrià]]
| subdivision_type4  = [[Provinces of Spain|Province]]
| subdivision_name4  = [[Province of Lleida|Lleida]]
| established_title  = Founded
| established_date   = 6th century BC
| seat_type          = <!-- [[Capital (political)|Capital]] -->
| seat               = 
| government_type    = [[Mayor–council government|Mayor-Council]]
| governing_body     = 
| leader_party       = [[Socialists' Party of Catalonia|PSC]]
| leader_title       = [[Mayor]]
| leader_name        = [[Fèlix Larrosa i Piqué]] (2023)
| area_total_km2     = 212.3
| elevation_m        = 155
| population_as_of   = 2022
| population_footnotes = <ref>{{Cite web |title=Idescat. The municipality in figures |url=https://www.idescat.cat/emex/?id=251207&lang=en |access-date=2023-10-16 |website=www.idescat.cat}}</ref>
| population_total   = 140,797
| population_density_km2 = auto
| population_demonym = 
| population_note    = 
| postal_code_type   = [[List of postal codes in Spain|Postal code]]
| postal_code        = 25001-25007
| area_code          = 34 (Spain)<br>+ 973 (Lleida)
| area_code_type     = [[Telephone numbers in Spain|Dialing code]]
| blank_name_sec1    = [[Languages of Spain|Official language(s)]]
| blank_info_sec1    = [[Catalan language|Catalan]], [[Spanish language|Spanish]]
| blank_name_sec2    = [[Köppen climate classification|Climate]]
| blank_info_sec2    = [[BSk]]
| website            = {{URL|paeria.cat}}
| module             = 
| footnotes          = 
| pushpin_label_position1 = 
| pushpin_map_alt1   = 
| timezone           = [[Central European Time|CET]]
| utc_offset         = +1
| timezone_DST       = [[Central European Summer Time|CEST]]
| utc_offset_DST     = +2
}}

'''Lleida''' ({{IPA|ca|ˈʎejðə|lang|Ca-no-Lleida.ogg}}, {{IPA|ca|ˈʎejðɛ|local}}; {{langx|es|'''Lérida'''}} {{IPA|es|ˈleɾiða||Pronunciation of Lleida in Spanish.ogg}}; ''[[#Name|see below]]'') is a city in the west of [[Catalonia]], Spain. It is the capital and largest town in [[Segrià|Segrià county]], the [[Ponent|Ponent region]] and the [[province of Lleida]]. Geographically, it is located in the [[Catalan Central Depression]]. It had 140,797 inhabitants {{as of|2022|lc=on}}.

Lleida is one of the oldest towns in Catalonia, with recorded settlements dating back to the [[Bronze Age]] period. Until the [[Hispania|Roman conquest of the Iberian Peninsula]], the area served as a settlement for an [[Iberian people]], the [[Ilergetes]]. The town became a municipality, named Ilerda, under the reign of [[Augustus]]. It was ruled by Muslims from the 8th century until [[Siege of Lleida (1149)|reconquered in 1149]]. In 1297, the [[University of Lleida]] was founded, becoming the third oldest in the whole of Spain. During the following centuries, the town was damaged by several wars such as the [[Reapers' War]] in the 17th century and the [[Spanish Civil War]] in the 20th century. Since then, the city has been in constant urban, commercial and demographic growth.

==Name==
Although the usual [[Spanish language|Spanish]] form of the town's name is {{lang|es|Lérida}}, pronounced {{IPA|es|ˈleɾiða||Pronunciation of Lleida in Spanish.ogg}}, the associations of that name with enforced [[Castilianization]] under the [[Francoist Spain|Francoist regime]] have led to the [[Catalan language|Catalan]] form {{lang|ca|Lleida}} being used for official purposes even in Spanish.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Sàez |first=Anna |date=2024-01-21 |title=El lleidatanisme a debat - 13 des 2015 |url=http://www.elpuntavui.cat/cultura/article/19-cultura/923137-el-lleidatanisme-a-debat.html |access-date=2024-01-21 |website=El Punt Avui |language=ca}}</ref> The local pronunciation of the name is {{IPA|ca|ˈʎejðɛ|}},<ref>{{cite web|url=https://dcvb.iec.cat/results.asp?word=Lleida|title=Lleida|publisher=Diccionari català-valencià-balear (DCVB)|language=ca}}</ref> while the standard pronunciation is {{IPA|ca|ˈʎejðə||Ca-no-Lleida.ogg}}.

==History==
{{see also|Timeline of Lleida}}
[[File:PM 106756 E Lleida.jpg|thumb|left|[[Indibilis and Mandonius|Indíbilis, king of the Ilergetes (left) and Mandonius, king of the Ausetani (right)]]]]
In ancient times the city, named ''Iltrida'' and ''Ilerda'', was the chief city of the [[Ilergetes]], an [[Iberians|Iberian]] tribe. [[Indibilis and Mandonius|Indíbil, king of the Ilergetes, and Mandoni, king of the Ausetanes]], defended it against the Carthaginian and Roman invasions.

Under the Romans the city was incorporated into the Roman province of [[Hispania Tarraconensis]], and was a place of considerable importance, historically as well as geographically. It stood upon an eminence, on the right (west) bank of the river Sicoris (the modern [[Segre River|Segre]]), the principal tributary of the [[Ebre]], and some distance above its confluence with the Cinga (modern [[Cinca River (Spain)|Cinca]]); thus commanding the country between those rivers, as well as the great road from Tarraco (modern [[Tarragona]]), the provincial capital, to the northwest of Spain, which here crossed the Sicoris.<ref>''[[Antonine Itinerary]]'' pp. 391, 452.</ref>

Its situation<ref>To quote [[Julius Caesar]], "''propter ipsius loci opportunitatem''", ''[[Commentarii de Bello Civili]]'' i. 38.</ref> induced the legates of [[Pompey]] in Spain to make it the key of their defense against Caesar, in the first year of the [[Caesar's civil war|Civil War]] (49 BC). [[Lucius Afranius (consul)|Afranius]] and [[Marcus Petreius]] threw themselves into the place with five legions; and their siege by Caesar himself ([[Battle of Ilerda]]), as narrated in his own words, forms one of the most interesting passages of military history. Caesar's skill as a general, in a contest where the formation of the district and a series of natural events seemed very favorable to his enemies, ultimately gained him victory. It was ended by the capitulation of Afranius and Petreius.<ref>[[Julius Caesar]] ''[[Commentarii de Bello Civili]]'' i. 38, ''et seq.''; [[Florus]] iv. 12; [[Appian]], ''B.C.'' ii. 42; [[Velleius Paterculus]] ii. 42; [[Suetonius]] ''Caes.'' 34; [[Lucan (poet)|Lucan]], ''Pharsal.'' iv. 11, 144.</ref> In consequence of the battle, the [[Latin phrase]] ''Ilerdam videas'' is said to have been used by people who wanted to cast bad luck on someone else.

Under the [[Roman Empire]] Ilerda was a prosperous city and a ''[[municipium]]''. It minted its own coins. It had a fine stone bridge over the Sicoris, which was so sturdy that its foundations support a bridge to this day. In the time of [[Ausonius]] the city had fallen into decay but it rose again into importance in the Middle Ages.<ref>[[Strabo]] iii. p. 161; Horat. ''Epist.'' i. 20. 13; coins, ''ap.'' [[Enrique Florez|Florez]], ''Med.'' ii. pp. 451, 646, iii. p. 73; Théodore Edme Mionnet, vol. i. p. 44, Suppl. vol. i. p. 89; Sestini, pp. 161, 166; [[Eckhel]], vol. i. p. 51.</ref>

It was part of [[Visigoths|Visigothic]] and [[Al-Andalus|Muslim Hispania]] until it was [[Siege of Lleida (1149)|conquered from the Moors]] by Count [[Ramon Berenguer IV, Count of Barcelona|Ramon Berenguer IV]] of [[County of Barcelona|Barcelona]] in 1149.

It used to be the seat of a [[University of Lleida|major university]], the oldest in the [[Crown of Aragon]], until 1717, when it was moved by [[Philip V of Spain|Philip V]] to the nearby town of [[Cervera]]. The [[University of Lleida]] is nowadays active again since 1991.

During the [[Reapers' War]] Lleida was occupied by the French and rebel forces. In 1644 the city was conquered by the Spanish under [[Felipe da Silva]].

Lleida served as a key defence point for [[Barcelona]] during the [[Spanish Civil War]] and fell to the [[Nationalist faction (Spanish Civil War)|Insurgents]], whose air forces bombed it extensively in 1937 and 1938. The 2 November 1937 [[Condor Legion]] attacks against Lleida became especially infamous since they targeted the school known as ''[[Liceu Escolar de Lleida]]''. 48 children and several teachers died in it that day, 300 people were killed in the 2 November bombings altogether and the town would be bombed and besieged again in 1938, when it was conquered by [[Francisco Franco]]'s forces.<ref>[http://www.enciclopedia.cat/fitxa_v2.jsp?NDCHEC=0037646] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150416235739/http://www.enciclopedia.cat/fitxa_v2.jsp?NDCHEC=0037646|date=April 16, 2015}}</ref>

After some decades without any kind of population growth it experienced a massive influx of [[Andalusian people|Andalusians]], who helped the town undergo a relative demographic growth. Nowadays it is home to immigrants of 146 different nationalities.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www6.gencat.net/llengcat/noves/hm05primavera-estiu/sola1_3.htm |title=''Noves sl. primavera-estiu 2005. El repte dels plans pilots per a l'impuls del coneixement i l'us de la llengua catalana: del coneixement a l'ús social, per Dolors Solà'' |publisher=.gencat.net |access-date=2011-03-11 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110516191643/http://www6.gencat.net/llengcat/noves/hm05primavera-estiu/sola1_3.htm |archive-date=2011-05-16 }}</ref>

Lleida was the Capital of Catalan Culture in 2007.<ref>{{cite web |author=e-barcelona.org |url=http://e-barcelona.org/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=8236 |title=''Lleida se estrena como capital de la cultura catalana durante 2007'' :: e-barcelona.org :: ''Fòrum de Cultura, democratitzem la democràcia'' |publisher=e-barcelona.org |access-date=2011-03-11 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110726010215/http://e-barcelona.org/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=8236 |archive-date=2011-07-26 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

=== Jewish History ===
[[File:The Jewish ritual bath of Llerida, Spain.jpg|thumb|The mikveh, or Jewish ritual bath, in Lleida.]]
The ''[[Jewish quarter (diaspora)|Juderia]]'', or Jewish quarter in Lleida dates back to the 11th century. The Jewish quarter in Lleida was also referred to as La Cuirassa. This name distinction is unique compared to other Jewish communities in Spain, and historians believe that the origin of the term is linked to the former Jewish quarter that existed in the times of the Moors, which was connected to the "coiraça", a protrusion of the city wall. The Jews established their quarter next to this wall, leading to the name "La Cuirassa."<ref>{{cite web |title=La Cuirassa |url=https://demoturisme.paeria.cat/arxius/la-cuirassa-2019-ang |website=Turisme de Lleida |access-date=24 June 2024}}</ref> A street named "Judería", which still exists in today's Lleida dates back to the time where the Jewish quarter was still active. The Jewish quarter was located in the fortified area of Lleida; in this area, a ring with the name "Goig" carved in [[Hebrew]] was found in 1870.<ref>{{cite web |title=Lérida |url=https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/l-x00e9-rida# |website=Jewish Virtual Library |access-date=24 June 2024}}</ref>
A Jewish ritual bath, or [[mikveh]] dating to the 9th century, one of the oldest in Europe, was found in Lleida.<ref>{{cite web |title=JEWISH LLEIDA 1/2 DAY |url=https://www.tondavid.cat/portfolio-items/jewish-lleida-1-2-day/ |website=Ton-David Jover |access-date=24 June 2024}}</ref>

==Climate==
Lleida has a [[Cold semi-arid climate|temperate semi-arid climate]] ([[Köppen climate classification|Köppen]] ''[[Semi-arid climate|BSk]]'').<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.weatherbase.com/weather/weather-summary.php3?s=591939&cityname=Lleida,+Catalu%25F1a,+Spain&units=|title=Lleida, Spain Köppen Climate Classification (Weatherbase)|website=Weatherbase}}</ref> Winters are mild and foggy though cooler than places on the coast while summers are hot and dry. Frosts are common during winter although snowfall can occasionally fall, averaging 1 or 2 days. Precipitation is low, with an annual average of {{convert|369|mm|in|0}} with a peak in April and May and another peak in September and October. {{Weather box|<!--Maximum temperatures, records are optional-->
| location = Lleida (1981–2010)
| metric first = yes
| single line = yes
| open = yes
| Jan high C = 10.0
| Jan record high C = 23.5
| Feb high C = 13.8
| Feb record high C = 23.4
| Mar high C = 18.3
| Mar record high C = 28.5
| Apr high C = 20.7
| Apr record high C = 33.0
| May high C = 25.0
| May record high C = 35.0
| Jun high C = 29.8
| Jun record high C = 43.4
| Jul high C = 33.0
| Jul record high C = 43.1
| Aug high C = 32.4
| Aug record high C = 40.8
| Sep high C = 27.8
| Sep record high C = 37.2
| Oct high C = 22.0
| Oct record high C = 32.5
| Nov high C = 14.9
| Nov record high C = 26.0
| Dec high C = 9.8
| Dec record high C = 20.6
| year high C = 21.5
| year record high C = 43.4

<!--Mean temperatures-->| Jan mean C = 5.5
| Feb mean C = 7.7
| Mar mean C = 11.3
| Apr mean C = 13.7
| May mean C = 17.9
| Jun mean C = 22.3
| Jul mean C = 25.2
| Aug mean C = 24.9
| Sep mean C = 20.9
| Oct mean C = 15.9
| Nov mean C = 9.7
| Dec mean C = 5.7
| year mean C = 15.0

<!--Minimum temperatures, record are optional-->| Jan low C = 0.9
| Jan record low C = -14.2
| Feb low C = 1.6
| Feb record low C = -7.6
| Mar low C = 4.2
| Mar record low C = -7.0
| Apr low C = 6.7
| Apr record low C = -2.2
| May low C = 10.8
| May record low C = 0.5
| Jun low C = 14.7
| Jun record low C = 6.0
| Jul low C = 17.4
| Jul record low C = 9.5
| Aug low C = 17.4
| Aug record low C = 7.1
| Sep low C = 13.9
| Sep record low C = 3.7
| Oct low C = 9.7
| Oct record low C = -1.5
| Nov low C = 4.4
| Nov record low C = -7.5
| Dec low C = 1.5
| Dec record low C = -9.5
| year low C = 8.6
| year record low C = -14.2

<!--Precipitation (rain, snow & hail)-->| Jan precipitation mm = 26
| Feb precipitation mm = 15
| Mar precipitation mm = 21
| Apr precipitation mm = 39
| May precipitation mm = 42
| Jun precipitation mm = 27
| Jul precipitation mm = 12
| Aug precipitation mm = 18
| Sep precipitation mm = 41
| Oct precipitation mm = 43
| Nov precipitation mm = 30
| Dec precipitation mm = 24
| year precipitation mm = 342

<!--Humidity-->| Jan humidity = 81
| Feb humidity = 71
| Mar humidity = 62
| Apr humidity = 59
| May humidity = 58
| Jun humidity = 53
| Jul humidity = 52
| Aug humidity = 56
| Sep humidity = 63
| Oct humidity = 73
| Nov humidity = 80
| Dec humidity = 84
| year humidity = 66

<!--Precipitation days-->| unit precipitation days = 1.0 mm
| Jan precipitation days = 4.2
| Feb precipitation days = 2.6
| Mar precipitation days = 3.5
| Apr precipitation days = 5.4
| May precipitation days = 5.5
| Jun precipitation days = 3.5
| Jul precipitation days = 1.8
| Aug precipitation days = 2.4
| Sep precipitation days = 3.8
| Oct precipitation days = 4.8
| Nov precipitation days = 4.4
| Dec precipitation days = 4.1
| year precipitation days =
| Jan snow days  =0.6
| Feb snow days  =0.2
| Mar snow days  =0.2
| Apr snow days  =0
| May snow days  =0
| Jun snow days  =0
| Jul snow days  =0
| Aug snow days  =0
| Sep snow days  =0
| Oct snow days  =0
| Nov snow days  =0
| Dec snow days  =0.2
| year snow days =

<!--Mean Monthly Sunshine hours-->| Jan sun = 116
| Feb sun = 162
| Mar sun = 226
| Apr sun = 248
| May sun = 282
| Jun sun = 321
| Jul sun = 356
| Aug sun = 319
| Sep sun = 256
| Oct sun = 195
| Nov sun = 135
| Dec sun = 96
| source 1 = Agencia Estatal de Meteorologia<ref name= AEM >{{cite web
| url = http://www.aemet.es/es/serviciosclimaticos/datosclimatologicos/valoresclimatologicos?l=9771C&k=cat
| title = Valores climatológicos normales: Lleida (Periodo: 1981-2010)
| publisher = Agencia Estatal de Meteorologia
| language = es
| access-date = May 16, 2013}}</ref>
| source 2 = Periodico El Pais <ref>{{cite web| url =http://elpais.com/elpais/2015/07/08/media/1436362311_285861.html| language = es| title= Temperaturas máximas históricas en las dos últimas olas de calor| date = 2015-06-08|access-date=2015-10-10}}</ref>
| date = May 2013
}}

==Districts and neighbourhoods==<!-- This section is linked from [[Cap Pont]] -->
[[File:Calle Caballeros de Lleida.jpg|thumb|Cavallers Street in [[Centre Històric (Lleida)|Centre Històric]].]]
Lleida is divided in the following districts by the Socioeconomic Observatory of Lleida:
{{div col|colwidth=30em}}
*[[Balàfia]]
*[[Les Basses d'Alpicat]]
*[[La Bordeta (Lleida)|La Bordeta]]
*[[Butsènit]]
*[[Camp d'Esports]]
*[[Cappont]]
*[[Centre Històric]]
*[[Ciutat Jardí]]
*[[Humbert Torres (Lleida)|Humbert Torres]]
*[[Instituts-Templers]]
*[[Joc de la Bola]]
*[[Llívia (Lleida)|Llívia]]
*[[Magraners]]
*[[Mariola (district)|Mariola]]
*[[Pardinyes]]
*[[Príncep de Viana-Clot]]
*[[Rambla Ferran-Estació]]
*[[Secà de Sant Pere]]
*[[Torres de Sanuí]]
*[[Universitat]]
{{div col end}}

==Transport==
===Railway===
[[Image:Lleida, estació de tren, d'Adolf Florensa (1927) (14847092915).jpg|thumb|[[Lleida Pirineus railway station]]]]
Lleida is served by [[Renfe]]'s [[Madrid–Barcelona high-speed rail line]], serving [[Barcelona]], [[Zaragoza]], [[Calatayud]], [[Guadalajara, Spain|Guadalajara]], and [[Madrid]]. Lleida has a [[Lleida–Alguaire Airport|new airport]] opened in January 2010, and a minor airfield located in [[Alfès]]. Also, the town is the western terminus of the [[Eix Transversal]] Lleida-[[Girona]], and a railway covering the same distance (''Eix Transversal Ferroviari'') is currently under planning.

Lleida's only passenger railway station is [[Lleida Pirineus railway station|Lleida Pirineus]]. It is served by both [[Renfe]] and [[Ferrocarrils de la Generalitat de Catalunya]] train lines. In the future a [[Rodalies Lleida]] commuter network will connect the town with its adjacent area and the main towns of its province, improving the existing network with more train frequency and newly built infrastructure. A second railway station is [[Pla de la Vilanoveta railway station|Pla de la Vilanoveta]] in an industrial area, and only used by freight trains. A future railway museum will be located in its facilities.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bondia.cat/component/content/article/63-societat/9612-el-museu-del-ferrocarril-de-lleida-subicara-a-lestacio-de-la-vilanoveta |title=El Museu del Ferrocarril de Lleida s'ubicarà a l'estació de la Vilanoveta |publisher=Bondia.cat |access-date=2011-03-11 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110706214539/http://www.bondia.cat/component/content/article/63-societat/9612-el-museu-del-ferrocarril-de-lleida-subicara-a-lestacio-de-la-vilanoveta |archive-date=2011-07-06 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Since 2008 the bulk of public transport of [[Ponent|Lleida's surrounding area]], mainly buses operated by several companies, is managed by [[Autoritat Territorial de la Mobilitat de l'Àrea de Lleida]].

===Bus===
The urban buses, coloured yellow with blue stripes and owned by ''[[Autobusos de Lleida]]'', include the following lines:
*L-1 Interior
*L-2 Ronda
*L-3 Pardinyes
*L-4 Mariola – {{lang|ca|italic=no|Parc científic i tecnològic}}
*L-5 Bordeta
*L-6 Magraners
*L-7 Secà
*L-8 Balàfia-Gualda
*L-9 Hospitals
*L-10 Exterior
*L-11 Llívia-Caparrella
*L-11B Llívia-Caparrella-Butsenit
*L-12 C.Històric-Universitat
*L-13 Cappont
*L-14 Agrònoms
*L-P Polígons
*L-17 Bordeta-Ciutat Jardí
*L-18 Palau de Congressos- Rambla de la Mercé
*L-19 Butsenit
*L-N Wonder (Regular night service)
*L-Bus Turístic (tourist bus)
*L-Aeroport
*L-Llotja

In addition to these, there's a tourist bus and a regular night service to nearby clubs.

===Lleida-Pirineus airport===
[[Image:Aeroport de Lleida-Alguaire retouched.jpg|thumb|''Lleida-Alguaire'' airport]]
Lleida has depended long time on nearby airports and had no local air transit. The [[Lleida–Alguaire Airport|Lleida-Alguaire airport]] opened in 2010.

===Future and planned services===
A [[tram]]-[[train]] system is pending approval. Using an existing but outdated passenger line, it would link [[Balaguer]] and Lleida, crossing both towns in a much needed move towards better public transportation, both inner-city and between localities.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.transportpublic.org/images/pdf/20100118-balaguer1.pdf |title=Data |website=www.transportpublic.org |format=PDF}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ccoo.cat/lleida/aspnet/noticia.aspx?id=118457 |title=CCOO de les Terres de Lleida. – El tren-tram, transport de futur per a l'àrea de Lleida – www.ccoo.cat/lleida |publisher=Ccoo.cat |date=2010-01-19 |access-date=2011-03-11}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.elperiodic.com/palicante/noticias/29639_responsables-ferrocarrils-catalua-visitan-tram-para-llevar-modelo-lleida-manresa.html |title=Responsables de Ferrocarrils de Cataluña visitan el TRAM para llevar el modelo a Lleida y Manresa |publisher=elperiodic.com |date=2009-02-21 |access-date=2011-03-11 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110710184952/http://www.elperiodic.com/palicante/noticias/29639_responsables-ferrocarrils-catalua-visitan-tram-para-llevar-modelo-lleida-manresa.html |archive-date=2011-07-10 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

==Languages==
Lleida is a traditionally [[Catalan language|Catalan-speaking]] city, with a characteristic dialect (known as Western or, more specifically, [[Northwestern Catalan]], or colloquially ''lleidatà''). Most of the population is actively bilingual in [[Spanish language|Spanish]].

{| class="wikitable floatright"
|+Largest groups of foreign residents
|-
! Nationality || Population (2024)
|-
|{{flag|Morocco}} || 6,552
|-
|{{flag|Romania}} || 4,500
|-
|{{flag|Colombia}} || 2,562
|-
|{{flag|Senegal}} || 1,800
|-
|{{flag|Algeria}} || 1,548
|-
|}

==Culture==
[[File:Auditori Municipal Enric Granados.jpg|thumb|[[Auditori Enric Granados]]]]
[[File:Llotja. Lleida.jpg|thumb|[[La Llotja de Lleida]]]]
[[File:Lleida-26-1 museu morera.jpg|thumb|[[Museu d'Art Jaume Morera]]]]
Lleida was the [[Capital of Catalan Culture]] in 2007.

===Theatre and music venues===
[[Auditori Enric Granados|Enric Granados Auditorium]] is the city's concert hall and main music institution and conservatory. It is named after the composer [[Enric Granados]], who was born in the city. [[CaixaForum Lleida]] (formerly known as ''Centre Cultural de la Fundació La Caixa'') includes a concert hall. [[Teatre Municipal de l'Escorxador]] is the town's main theatre; it includes a concert venue, [[Cafè del Teatre]]. A theatre and congress centre, [[La Llotja de Lleida]], opened in 2010.

===Music festivals===
There are two important music festivals in Lleida; MÚSIQUES DISPERSES Folk Festival in March,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.musiquesdisperses.com|title=MUD. Festival Músiques Disperses|website=www.musiquesdisperses.com}}</ref> and the jazz festival JAZZ TARDOR in November. Concerts are also a regular fixture of the two local feasts, Sant Anastasi in May, and Sant Miquel in September.

===Film===
[[CaixaForum Lleida]] is the usual venue for film-related events and screenings. A [[Latin-American]] film festival is held yearly in the town ([[Lleida Latin-American Film Festival|''Mostra de Cinema Llatinoamericà de Lleida'']]), and an animation film festival called ''[[Animac]]'' is held every May.

===Art and museums===
The [[Lleida Museum]] opened in 2008 and displays historical artefacts and works of art from various periods. The [[Institut d'Estudis Ilerdencs]], a historically relevant building, exhibits both ancient and contemporary art. The [[Centre d'Art La Panera]] is a contemporary art institution. The [[Museu d'Art Jaume Morera]] displays art from the 20th and 21st centuries (as well as artwork by its namesake).

The city has a number of small municipal galleries, such as the Sala Municipal d'Exposicions de Sant Joan and the Sala Manel Garcia Sarramona. There are also several institutions dedicated to local artists, such as the Sala Leandre Cristòfol, containing artwork by the sculptor and painter [[Leandre Cristòfol]] (1908–1998); and the Sala Coma Estadella, dedicated to the sculptor and painter [[Albert Coma Estadella]] (1933–1991).

Private art galleries include the Espai Cavallers. The private foundation CaixaForum Lleida and the [[Public Library of Lleida]] also offer regular exhibits. The now defunct [[Petite Galerie (Lleida)|Petite Galerie]] was an innovative and influential gallery in the 1970s.

The [[Escola Municipal de Belles Arts, Lleida|Escola Municipal de Belles Arts]] provides higher education in the arts.

===Traditional culture===
[[File:Els Gegants de Lleida.JPG|thumb|The Giants of Lleida in front of the Paeria]]
Traditional celebrations include the main annual town festivity: ''Festa Major''; ''Fira de Sant Miquel'' and ''[[L’Aplec del Caragol]]'' ([[escargot]]-eating festival, the biggest in the world of this sort, held at the Camps Elisis since 1980).

The latter is a gastronomical festivity focused on escargot cooking and is celebrated yearly at the end of May. "L'Aplec" gathers thousands of people around the table to taste the most traditional dishes from Lleida.

Due to its strong popularity, it was declared a traditional festivity of national interest in 2002 by the Generalitat of Catalonia and two years later it was also declared as such by the Spanish Government.

The main traditional celebrations in Lleida are chaired by the twelve emblematic "Gegants de la Paeria" (Giants of the Town Hall), the two oldest made in 1840.

===Nightlife===
Lleida has a bar and clubbing area, informally known as ''Els Vins''. The oldest part of the quarter, known as ''Els Vins Vells'', has been largely replaced by ''Els Vins Nous'', an architecturally newer and more upscale area. Most big clubs in Lleida are located outside the town and are not easily accessible without a car,{{Citation needed|date=January 2020}} though on Saturday nights there is a bus.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.atmlleida.cat/en/busnit|title=BusNit|website=www.atmlleida.cat|access-date=2020-01-17}}</ref>

==Main sights==
[[Image:Lleida-12-1 seu vella.jpg|thumb|[[Seu Vella]]]]
[[Image:Castillo de Gardeny.jpg|thumb|[[Castell de Gardeny|Templar castle of Gardeny]]]]
[[File:Lerida - Iglesia de San Martin 1.JPG|thumb|[[Romanesque architecture|Romanesque]] [[Church of Sant Martí (Lleida)|church of Sant Martí]]]]
[[File:WLM14ES - Casa Magí Llorenç. Lleida - MARIA ROSA FERRE.jpg|thumb|Casa Magí Llorenç, a [[Catalan Modernism|modernist]] building]]
*[[Old Cathedral of Lleida|La Seu Vella]], a cathedral built in a blend of [[Romanesque architecture|Romanesque]] and [[Gothic architecture|Gothic]] styles over time, and made a military fortress in the 18th century. There is also an older, and mostly destroyed ''[[Palau de la Suda]]'', built during Arab rule and later used as a royal residence by the counts of [[County of Barcelona|Barcelona]] and kings of [[Kingdom of Aragon|Aragon]]. Both medieval buildings are situated over the so-called ''Turó de la Seu'', a medium-sized hill that overlooks the town.
*[[New Cathedral of Lleida|La Seu Nova]], the baroque cathedral, in use since [[House of Bourbon|Bourbon]] rule. It was burnt during the [[Spanish Civil War]] by the [[anarchist]]s commanded by [[Buenaventura Durruti]].
*[[Institut d'Estudis Ilerdencs]], used to be a hospital (''Antic Hospital de Santa Maria'') built in [[Gothic architecture|Gothic]] style, but today is a historical museum and research centre open to visitors, with historically significant artworks and artefacts from the [[Iberians|Iberian]], [[Ancient Rome|Roman]], [[Arab]], [[Middle Ages|medieval]] and modern times, as well as an exhibit area usually showcasing contemporary local artists.
*[[La Paeria]], the city council and also a historical site with remains and artefacts from [[Rome|Roman]] times through to the [[Moorish]] rule, [[Mediaeval]] and [[Modern age|Modern]] times, including old prison cells.
*[[Gardeny]] is a hill hosting a fortress built between the 12th and 13th centuries. Used by the [[Knights Templar]] in the [[Middle Ages]] after the area (a fifth of the town) had been granted to them by King [[Ramon Berenguer IV, Count of Barcelona|Ramon Berenguer IV]].
*The gardens known as [[Camps Elisis]], already used by the [[Rome|Romans]]. The [[Fountain of the Mermaid of Lleida|Mermaid Fountain]] is a nice piece.
*[[La Mitjana]], a park at the edge of town with wilderness areas adjacent to an old [[dam]] on the [[river Segre]].
*[[Les Basses d'Alpicat]], a park. It is currently closed, awaiting reforms.
*[[Church of Sant Llorenç, Lleida|Church of Sant Llorenç]], a 12th-century [[Romanesque architecture|Romanesque]] church with 15th-century Gothic additions. The interior is well preserved.
*[[Church of Sant Martí (Lleida)|Church of Sant Martí]], a 12th-century [[Romanesque architecture|Romanesque]] church.
*The bishop of [[Bishopric of Lleida|Lleida]]’s Palace on [[Rambla d'Aragó]], which also serves as an art museum displaying pieces spanning from [[Romanesque art|Romanesque]] to [[Baroque]] times.
*[[El Roser]], a 13th-century [[convent]] built by the [[Dominican Order]]. It hosted a fine arts academy of the same name and has recently been controversially reformed and turned into a [[Paradores|Parador]] (a luxury hotel using a historical location).
*The [[commons:category:Cementiri de Lleida|Cementiri de Lleida]] (Municipal Cemetery) to the West of the city is listed in the Inventari del Patrimoni Arquitectònic de Catalunya (Inventory of the Architectural Heritage of Catalonia). The oldest portion dates from 1784.
*[[Lleida Public Library]], on [[Rambla d'Aragó]], in the building previously known as [[La Maternitat]], a mid-19th century [[orphanage]].
*[[Museum of Lleida]], opened in 2008, and owned by the [[Diocese of Lleida]] focusing on the town's history. Some of the artefacts it contains, which come from areas historically belonging to the diocese but not currently part of the [[province of Lleida]]'s territory and jurisdiction, have been the object of contention with the neighbouring dioceses and the government of the autonomous community of [[Aragon]].
*[[Sala Cristòfol]], a museum devoted to the works of the avant-garde sculptor [[Leandre Cristòfol]].
*[[Sala Mercat del Pla]], an art gallery.
*[[Museu d'Art Jaume Morera]], an art museum displaying art from the 20th and 21st centuries in a modernist building.
*[[Centre d'Art de la Panera]], a small contemporary art institution.
*[[Museu de l'Aigua]], in ''Parc de l'Aigua''.
*[[Auditori Enric Granados]], Lleida's foremost [[concert hall]]. Next to its basement and on public display are some ancient ruins.
*[[La Llotja de Lleida]], a concert hall, theatre, opera and congress hall opened in 2010.
*[[Parc de l'aigua|Parc de l'Aigua]], urban park in the southern neighborhoods.

==Sports==
* [[UE Lleida|Unió Esportiva Lleida]], based on the [[Camp d'Esports]] dissolved in 2011
*[[Lleida Esportiu]] football club founded in 2011
* [[CE Lleida Bàsquet]], based on the [[Pavelló Barris Nord]]

==Sister cities==
Lleida has [[Town twinning|sister relationships]] with many places worldwide:<ref>{{cite web
| title = Viles agermanades – Lleida – Perpignan la Catalane
| work = mairie-perpignan.fr
| url = http://www.mairie-perpignan.fr/index.php?np=909&lg=CA
| language = fr
| access-date = 2007-10-01
}}</ref><ref>{{cite web
 |title = INFO POINT EUROPA. Ajuntament de Lleida.La UE i Lleida
 |work = infopoint.paeria.es
 |url = http://infopoint.paeria.es/temes_clau/UE_Lleida.htm
 |language = ca
 |access-date = 2007-10-01
 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070927061530/http://infopoint.paeria.es/temes_clau/UE_Lleida.htm
 |archive-date = 2007-09-27
 |url-status = dead
}}</ref>
*{{flagicon|ITA}} [[Ferrara]], Italy
*{{flagicon|FRA}} [[Foix]], France
* {{flagicon|China}} [[Hefei]], China
*{{flagicon|Colombia}} [[Lerida, Tolima|Lérida]], Colombia
*{{flagicon|FRA}} [[Perpignan]], France
* {{flagicon|USA}} [[Monterey, California]], United States<ref>{{cite web|url=https://monterey.org/About-Monterey/Community-Partnerships/Sister-Cities|title=Sister Cities|website=monterey.org|access-date=2018-04-18|archive-date=2018-04-19|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180419120655/https://monterey.org/About-Monterey/Community-Partnerships/Sister-Cities|url-status=dead}}</ref>

==References in culture==
The city is the subject of the Catalan folk song ''[[La Presó de Lleida]]'', "The prison of Lleida", which was already attested in the 17th century and may be even older. It is a very popular tune, covered by many artists such as [[Joan Manuel Serrat]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.xtec.cat/~evicioso/segria/preso.htm |title=SegriЯ. "La presз de Lleida", romanу |publisher=Xtec.cat |access-date=2011-03-11}}</ref>

==Notable people==
* [[Jaume d'Agramunt]] (?–1350), Catalan doctor and writer, died in Lleida<ref>Diccionari de la Literatura Catalana, 2008</ref>
* [[Mariano Gomar de las Infantas]] (1855–1923), lawyer and [[Integrism (Spain)|Integrist]] politician
* [[Casimiro Sangenís Bertrán]] (1894-1936), [[Carlism|Carlist]] politician
* [[Joan Oró]] (1923–2004), born in Lleida: biochemist, researcher on the origin of life.
* [[Trini Tinturé]] (born 1935), born in Lleida: cartoonist and illustrator.
* [[Sergej Milinković-Savić]] (born 1995) born in Lledia, professional footballer

==See also==
{{div col|colwidth=30em}}
* [[Battle of Ilerda]]
* [[Diocese of Lleida]], [[Bishop of Lleida]]
* [[Talarn Dam]]
* [[University of Lleida]]
* [[Volta a Lleida]]
{{div col end}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==Bibliography==
{{See also|Timeline of Lleida#Bibliography|l1=Bibliography of the history of Lleida}}

==External links==
{{commons category}}
*{{Official website|http://www.paeria.cat }}
*[http://www.lleidatur.com Tourism information of Lleida]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20051201140848/http://cat.lleida.com/ Internet Portal of the town]
* [http://aplicacions.municat.gencat.cat/index.php?page=consulta&mostraEns=2512070005 Government data pages] {{in lang|ca}}

{{Navboxes
|title = Articles related to Lleida
|list  =
{{Geographic location
|Centre = Lleida
|N = [[Alpicat]]<br />[[Torrefarrera]]<br />[[Torre-serona]]
|NE = [[Corbins]]<br />[[Alcoletge]]
|E = [[Bell-lloc d'Urgell]]<br />[[Els Alamús]]<br />[[Torregrossa]]
|SE = [[Artesa de Lleida]]<br />[[Aspa, Lleida|Aspa]]
|S = [[Albatàrrec]]<br />[[Alfés]]
|SW = [[Sudanell]]<br />[[Montoliu de Lleida]]
|W = [[Gimenells i el Pla de la Font]]<br />[[Alcarràs]]
|NW = [[Tamarite de Litera]] (Aragon)<br />[[Almacelles]]
}}
{{Segria}}
{{Municipalities in Lleida|state=autocollapse}}
{{Capitals of Provinces in Spain}}
}}

{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Lleida| ]]
[[Category:Roman sites in Spain]]
[[Category:Populated places in Segrià]]