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Girona, capital of the province with the same name, is a city located in northern Spain in Catalonia, 100 km from Barcelona. This city is rich in culture and history in addition to being a loved tourist stop with over 300,000 hits each year that plays a major role in the economy of the city.
Girona is not a large city, but it attracts the large cities. Walking through the historic center, visiting its monuments and museums, pacing its streets and squares, enjoying tourist services, cultural offerings, festivals and restaurants are some of the many reasons to visit Girona.
The historic city of Girona is one of the most interesting in Catalonia, you can enjoy more than two thousand years of stories in its places: the Força Vella and the medieval b. The first is a Roman fortress while the other is the extension of the walls during the 14th and 15th century. The numerous buildings have preserved many tourist treasures. Girona’s attraction is complemented by its Jewish community, its pretty streets, squares, baroque spaces and Rafael Masó’s noucentisme constructions.
Here are some of the important places in Girona about their history, appearances and popularity.
Cathedral:
In the most emblematic place of the Força Vella stands the cathedral. Built in the 11th and 13th century, it is composed of walls and spaces of different styles that can go from the Roman to the baroque from the facade to the stairs. The most striking element is its great vault (15th-16th century) which represents the Gothic movement. It measures 23 meters and is the largest vault in the world.
Click on the link to go to the Cathedral website and for more information
The Jewish Quarter:
One of the most attractive places of Força Vella is the «el Call«. It is a maze of streets and courtyards where we can feel the aroma of medieval time. This Jewish quarter is one of the most preserved in the world and the largest of the Iberian Peninsula. It also shows the importance of Jewish culture in Girona.
Indeed, it was here that the Jewish community lived before the decree of expulsion of the Jews in Spain in 1492.
One finds in particular the ancient synagogue now become a dependency of the University of Girona. The «Call» also housed the Kabbalist School between the 13th and 15th centuries.
The murals:
The extension of the Roman walls of the medieval period now makes it possible to go through the old round path and visit the largest sections of the Carolingian walls in Europe (9th century). The different towers are authentic views of the city and its surroundings.
The Arab baths:
It is a roman building (12th century) inspired by the Roman baths and whose most admirable elements are the entrance which serves as a cloakroom and rest room covered with a vault and the cupola which rests on very pretty columns that crown the central swimming pool. The exterior of the Romanesque building was built in 1194 with a structure reminiscent of the Muslim baths according to the fashion of the time. In 1294; Jaime II of Aragó gave Raymond Tolra the restaurants. At the beginning of the 17th century the baths were used as a convent by nasturtiums, they used it as kitchen and laundry. The Arab baths began to open the public again in 1929.
Street of liberty:
Marked by the baroque and neoclassical styles; the street of liberty is the most visited place of the medieval old town of Girona and the most emblematic public space of the city. However, the existence of the Rambla in its current configuration is more recent: it dates from 1885, when the municipal architect Martí Sureda Deulovol decides to unify the Place Las Coles with the street Abrevadero. It becomes an avenue lined with lime trees and benches. It is called the street of freedom in honor of the tree of freedom planted in 1869, during the six years of democracy. Although the place has been very modified by Sureda, it retains some medieval arcades and some of the palaces of the same period. However, the construction of buildings in the 19th century affects, in part, its medieval character. At present, the street is the entry point of the old city for tourists who visit the city.
Old Town (Old Quarter):
The old town of Girona, in the heart of the Roman city of Gironde, containing all the most important artistic heritage of the city is surrounded by vast expanses of archaeological wall with a beautiful view of the city.
In addition to other civil buildings such as the Casa de l’Ardiaca and the Episcopal Palace, the old town has representative religious buildings Such as the Romanesque monastery, the chapel of St. Nicholas or the basilica of San Felix, with its slender Gothic tower truncated by lightning. In the square of the Cathedral, the house of the pastor, building of the renaissance, which is currently the courthouse and the Pia Almoina are equally important.
Culinary innovation
The city of Girona is characterized by a great culinary dynamism based in the «Alliance of traditional cooking and current cooking without forgetting its roots. The restaurants will be able to offer all types of cuisines:
– Catalan, Mediterranean, market…
– Includes Michelin star restaurants, but also the best restaurant in the world by the prestigious magazine Magazine: El Celler de Can Roca. The gastronomy of Girona has become a reference throughout the world.
Here are some typical products of Girona:
- The xuixo, a pastry that is found in many bakeries in the city
- Girona apple
- Sweet sausage, Medieval origins can be tasted cooked or raw
- Salsify and mushrooms
- Oils and sauces of a Catalan cuisine
- Wines and cellars of Emporda
- Candies and chocolates inspired by the legends of the city
- La ratafia
The market of Lleó:
The food market is the center of distribution for the fresh products of the city: the meat, the fish, the fruits and vegetables, the grocery, and so on. The market is located on the popular «Plaça Lleó» and stands out for the excellent quality of its products, staff and customer relations per day. Its facilities house many retail outlets and outside, surrounding the building, you will find a wide variety of stands with garden products and sellers of non-food items.
Girona offers many buildings to enjoy different Atmospheres during the nights of the year: welcoming places where you can have a drink, terraces, bars, and discotheques extend the party until the wee hours…
You will find places of nocturnal leisure throughout the city but especially in the center. The Independence Square and the Plaza de Sant Feliu and their surroundings are the focal point of most terraces to sit easily to drink. Thursday night is a reference night out for the public university that celebrates the arrival of the weekend.
How to get there:
Here is all the information to go to Girona.
- By plane: From Europe or Spain, You can take a plane to Girona, the city at its own airport (Girona Costa Brava). It is located about 12 km from the city center. It is well connected to the city center and can be reached by taxi or bus.
- Train: Adif Girona Costa Brava train station is located in the heart of the city of Girona, with regional, national and international departures. In addition to the classic line, Girona station is also part of the high-speed line Madrid – Zaragoza – Barcelona – French border, one of the main communication routes between Spain and Europe
- By bus: Located next to the train station, Girona bus station offers a service to several destinations of the city, regional, national and international
- By car: The main roads to Girona are:
AP-7: Barcelona – France
N-II: National road Madrid – Barcelona – France
C-25 : Two-lane highway Girone – Vic – Lerida
When to Girona, the city offers plenty of way to get around thanks to taxis, buses, rental cars and bicycles. Finally, Girona is a city that presents to its visitors a large number of vast and diversified activities to entertain and satisfy. Restaurants, hotels, numerous events, museums and historical sites are places to visit, Girona is considered a city with resources that will enchant all year round, and will also make you enjoy the Spanish climate…
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