Princep Benlloch - Andorra la Vella, Andorra
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denben
N 42° 30.443 E 001° 31.297
31T E 378540 N 4707171
The statue of Cardinal Joan Baptista Benlloch i Vivó, Co-Prince of Andorra from 1906 to 1919, is located in front of the church of Sant Esteve (St. Stephen), the parish church of Andorra la Vella.
Waymark Code: WMQCDP
Location: Andorra
Date Posted: 02/04/2016
Views: 2
The statue of Joan Benlloch shows the Cardinal seated, wearing the mitre, with is right hand lifted in a gesture of benediction and holding the crosier with his left hand.
Joan Baptista Benlloch i Vivó (29 December 1864 – 14 February 1926) was a Valencian Cardinal of the Roman Catholic Church who served as Archbishop of Burgos from 1919 until his death, and was elevated to the cardinalate in 1921.
Created under a charter in A.D. 988, the Principality of Andorra was formed in A.D. 1278. It is known as a principality as it is a monarchy headed by two Co-Princes – the Spanish/Roman Catholic Bishop of Urgell and the President of France.
Joan Benlloch was named Bishop of Urgell on 6 December 1906; in this position, he was also Co-Prince of Andorra and composed the text for its national anthem. His tenure saw his country enter World War I on the side of the Allies, but Andorra was not included in the Treaty of Versailles and officially remained in a state of belligerency until 1957. The French Co-Princes of Andorra during Benlloch's leadership include Armand Fallières and Raymond Poincaré.
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