Visit Girona

The city of Girona, 60 miles north of Barcelona, is a jewel of culture and history acquired in its 2000 years of existence.

Many cultures have left their imprint on the streets of the city–Iberians, Greeks, Romans, Arabs, Jews, Christians… they have created unforgettable places such as the old quarter we will walk around and visit.

The Arab Baths entrance: in the 11th century, coinciding with improvements in urban living, the custom of public bathing was reintroduced into Catalonia following the models of the Romans, the Jews and the Muslims.

The Jewish Quarter: the best-preserved medieval Jewish quarter in Europe. For 6 centuries Girona lived a double life. The Christian city kept another one hidden away, locked in at night behind gates and ruled by their own laws, governed by an alhama council presided over by a mayor nominated by the king.

The houses of the Onyar river: these attractive colourful houses are in fact the back of the buildings in the streets parallel to the Onyar river, built from the 17th to the 19th century on an old wall that protected the city from the river.

The Cathedral entrance: the Cathedral, dedicated to Santa Maria, is an important temple from the artistic, monumental and religious point of view. Its nave is one of the widest in European Gothic, 22.98m (76′8″). The original plans were for three naves and the change to one nave caused building to come to a halt with architects and promoters arguing for 50 years. In 1417, the Capitol Catedralici called a meeting of master builders and experts and, after listening to their verdict which was in favour of three naves, decided to have the cathedral built with a single nave, 34 meters (114′) high, which would make the cathedral a unique piece of gothic architecture. Outstanding features: a great flight of stairs, 90 steps in three stages due to the steep approach.

Creation Tapestry: found in the museum of the cathedral. this embroidered tapestry is from the 12th century, only one of its kind and the most valuable piece of Romanesque cloth preserved. The tapestry is 12m2 (1302 feet), embroidered in coloured wool, and justifiably famous, attracting historians from around the world to study the extraordinary wealth of its iconographic and thematic content. The great work depicts the creation of the world and man in paradise, surrounded by the months and seasons with descriptive images surrounding the central figure of Christ.

Romanesque cloister: it has a trapezoidal shape, predetermined by the existing walls, double columns and carved capitals (12th century).

Walk on the city walls: These lead you to the Frenchwoman’s Gardens, as such was the nationality of the original owner. Levelled into terraces, they are surrounded by the walls which offer a lovely view.