iberianature – Spanish history and culture

Girona city

Girona (pop. 100,000), the provincial capital of the province of Girona, is well worth exploring for at least one full day. The skyline is dominated by the truly extraordinary Romanesque Cathedral, and the first impression is of an attractive medieval city. In reality there is a total hodge-podge of architectural styles, from Roman classicism to postmodernism, and some of the most recent edifices are very interesting. The city’s overall charm owes much to its setting on the river Onyar.

Girona has a long and distinguished history. Owing to its strategic importance, it has been fought over in almost every century since its foundation, and its nickname is “the city of a thousand sieges”. The remains of Iberian walls can still be seen. The Romans named it Gerunda and established it as an important stopping point on the Via Augusta, linking Iberia with Rome. Following the Moorish conquest, Girona was an Arab town for over three generations, and there was a continuous Jewish presence here for over six hundred years. In 1809 it survived a seven-month assault by 35,000-French soldiers, thus earning the sobriquet of “Immortal”.

See main article on history of Girona

Sights

The bulk of the post-medieval city lies on the south side of the river, but most visitors, having parked there, spend nearly all their time in the fascinating old quarter on the other side. There are several elegant bridges over the river; one is so broad that it can accommodate an artisan market at weekends. The most imposing bridge crosses to the arcaded Rambla de la Libertat, with shops and pavement cafés, street jugglers and musicians, and a constant flow of strollers.

See main article Sightseeing in Girona

Food and drink

There are plenty of decent places to eat and drink in Girona. One of my favourites for a snack is the Café Bistrot, just across from the Palau dels Agullana. Casa Marieta, on the Plaça de Independència just across the river from the old town, has been serving home-style cuisine for over a hundred years.

See main article Eating and drinking in Girona

Around the web

Monuments & Museums

“Close to Barcelona, located midway between the sea and the mountains, Girona boasts a privileged position. The Old Town is one of the most evocative historical centres in Catalonia, with certain elements that are unique in Europe: the Carolingian wall, an exceptionally well conserved Jewish quarter, and the grandeur of the Cathedral’s Gothic nave, the widest in the world. Girona also has six museums which possess a patrimonial collection of great interest. “

Time Out Guide to Girona
Over the centuries, countless invasions have seen Girona reborn in numerous guises, including stints as a major Roman trading town and a centre of Arab culture. Half a millennium on and the city boasts a remarkably intact medieval centre and an enduring elegance – something that has gone largely unnoticed by those using its airport as a stepping stone to the occasionally dubious charms of the Costa Brava.

Sightseeing (Girona City Council)
The most interesting sites in the city

• The Cathedral
• The Collegiate of Sant Feliu
• Arab Baths
• The “Call”, the Jewish Quarter of Girona
• The Houses of Onyar
• Stairs and Archway of Sant Martí
• Medieval Wall Itinerary

Articles from The Guardian
Girona
From chocolate flies to Dali exhibitions to lazy mornings in cafes on the square, Jon Dennis finds the narrow streets of Gerona are full of things to do
Call of Gerona
“The Catalan city is often overshadowed by its celebrated near neighbour Barcelona, but Eugene Costello finds much to savour in the narrow streets of the old town.”
Been There – tips to Girona travel from The Guardian’s Been There site
Girona: a quieter alternative to Barcelona. – Cycling in Catalonia – Walking on the Roman Wall -Girona guided tour

This section was written by Francis Barrett. See also Francis' excellent guide to Ireland irelandbyways.com

Information about Girona

Accommodation in Girona Province