Where is girona spain located. Open the left menu of the girona. Girona Tourist Office

general information

The town of Girona or Girona is located in the north of Catalonia, 100 kilometers from Barcelona, \u200b\u200bon the Costa Brava.

Not far from the town is the Spanish-French border.

Girona is located 35 km from the sea.

Official website of the city:

http://www2.girona.cat/ca

This is a beautiful medieval town, in which the spirit of past eras is felt. It is very popular with tourists, as there are many historical and cultural attractions.

The population of the city of Girona (Girona) - about 100 thousand people. The area of \u200b\u200bthe city is approximately 40 square meters. km

The motto of the city: "Girona m" enamora - Girona inspires me with love. "

The patron saint of the city of Girona is Narcissus de Jerusalem.

City View (Girona)  (a photo)

Girona Attractions  They are located in the historical center of the city, which is surrounded by an ancient fortress wall.

The city is divided in half into two parts (eastern and western) by the Onyar River, which flows through the entire city.

The river with small houses on the sides, reflected in the water, creates an incredible panorama.

The eastern part of the city is a historical, medieval part of the city, it includes the main attractions and interesting places of Girona.
In the western part are modern buildings.

The historic center of Girona boasts outstanding architecture and unforgettable nooks: the Church of São Nicolau, the Gothic building of Pia Almoin (a medieval charity), the monastery of San Domenech, mansions such as Agullana's palace, squares and arches.
Famous buildings on the other side of the river include the Cinema Museum, the only one in Spain, Casa de la Punxa.

The pedestrian area of \u200b\u200bthe Rambla stretches along the river.

Adjacent to it is the Old Town, in which the famous Jewish Quarter Il Call (El Call) is located.
The Jewish settlement in this quarter dates from the 9th century A.D.
The most famous street of the quarter is Carrer de la Forca.

One of the most famous symbols of Girona is the houses on the Onyar River, painted in bright colors.
The city has eleven bridges over the river, and the most famous of them is the Eiffel Bridge, designed by Gustav Eiffel and built shortly before the famous tower in Paris.

In ancient times, the city occupied a strategic position on the northern route of the Via Augusta road, it was the first Roman city.
The main place of the bishopric since the 5th century.
In our time, the resistance of the city in the war against Napoleon (1808-1809) was legendary.

What to see

The main attractions of Girona:

Churches:

Palaces, castles, fortresses

House-Museum of Raphael Maso in Girona (Casa Masó)  (a photo)

Museums:

Squares, quarters and boulevards:

Cathedral Square (Placa de la Catedral)

Gardens and parks

Statues and Monuments

Girona is an extremely compact and comfortable city. Monuments and sights of different cultures and eras managed to fit in the small historical center: fortifications and a wall from the time of the Roman Empire, medieval buildings with a Gothic cathedral, rustic, but at the same time unique architecture of the Jewish quarter. All sights with incredible harmony coexist with each other, forming a single whole.

Girona does not take much time to get acquainted with the two-thousand-year history of the city it will be enough to spend only half a day. There is not such a staggering number of tourists as in Barcelona. There is no fuss and the need to use public transport, only unhurried walks along the ancient streets of the city. Here, as nowhere else, you can feel yourself in a different time and era.

How to get to Girona

The city is located in the north-east of Spain, in the autonomous community of Catalonia. More than 100 thousand people live in Girona and everything is in order with transport accessibility, there is an own airport, a developed system of railway and bus services. The border with France is about 60 km., To the capital of Catalonia - Barcelona, \u200b\u200bjust over 100 km.

Girona Airport

Full name Girona-Costa Brava Airport, search engine code GRO.The air harbor accepts both domestic and international flights. You can get acquainted with the full route map of flights on the official website of the airport.

Recently, Victory flies here from Russia. Direct flights are carried out from Moscow and St. Petersburg. The number of flights per week is constantly changing depending on the season, see the current prices and schedule below.

I have the experience of flying Victory to the Girona airport. I can’t say anything bad. Arrival on time, the price is loyal. If you purposefully plan to visit Girona and the surroundings of the Costa Brava, then you should fly here so as not to waste time on the road from Barcelona.

Bus to the center of Girona

Buses run regularly between the airport and the city's bus station (Estació d’Autobusos de Girona). The route is served by Sagales. On the official website of the carrier, you can see the current schedule, as well as purchase a ticket online. Travel time is about half an hour. Depending on the season and time of day, the intervals between flights are from 30 minutes to an hour. Ticket price 2.75 euros.

Barcelona Airport

The largest air hub in Catalonia and Spain as a whole. El Prat Airport (BCN) receives hundreds of flights from all over the world. From Russia, such large carriers fly here: Aeroflot, S7, U-Tair, Ural Airlines, as well as the Spanish low-cost airline - Vueling. Everyone can choose for themselves a convenient departure / arrival time, airline.

From Barcelona Airport to Girona, a direct bus runs at number 602. Transportation is carried out by the same company - Sagales.

Approximate travel time is 2.5 hours. Ticket price - 19 euros. I recommend watching the current schedule, as well as purchasing a ticket (online) on the official website.

From Barcelona to Girona

There are two ways to get to Girona from Barcelona, \u200b\u200bby bus or train. I recommend the second option, faster and more comfortable.

Train to Girona

In Spain, the analogue of our Russian Railways is Renfe. Therefore, we immediately go to their website, look at the schedule and buy tickets. No need to contact intermediaries, including Russian-language portals that sell tickets with a commission.

Trains to Girona depart from Barselona-Sants Station. Travel time varies from 40 minutes to 2 hours. It all depends on the type of train you choose.

• REGIONALS  - An analogue of our trains, comes with all the stops. Tickets must be bought directly at the station;
• MD (Medium Distance)  - “Advanced” train, makes fewer stops, more comfortable. Tickets are also purchased at the station at the box office;
• AVANT, AVE  - high-speed trains of Spain. Travel time is the same, about 40 minutes, only AVANT is usually much cheaper. It is possible to purchase a ticket online.

It seems to me that the choice is obvious. The most convenient way to get to Girona is by the AVANT train, fast and affordable.

Bus to Girona

We use the same Sagales route number 602. We look at its schedule in the section above. Buses depart from the Estació Del Nord bus station. The journey takes about 2 hours, provided there are no traffic jams. Barcelona is a major metropolis, so during rush hour you can spend an extra couple of hours leaving the city.

To Girona by car

Above, I described the most popular and popular public transport routes. If you travel by a rented car, then it is worth considering some features of movement by car.

Toll roads to Girona

In Catalonia, there is a developed network of toll roads. If you move using the navigator, then in 90% of cases it will direct you without fail to paid sections. Consider this expense item in your budget. For example, on the way from Barcelona to Girona, toll roads will cost about 20 euros. From Girona Airport to the city center - 4 euros. The payment procedure is simple and straightforward. At the entrance to the paid site, you take a ticket, at the exit you insert it into the machine and pay. Cards and cash are accepted, no problems.

There is one very useful resource - Michelin. There you can enter the departure / destination point and see paid sections on the route, as well as the fare. If you wish, you can get confused and plan your way along the free roads.

Usually the problem with parking is solved simply - the hotel in which you book a room provides a place for free. In Girona, most accommodation options do not have such a service. You can see the map of paid and free parking lots in the Parkme service, the picture is clickable.

I advise you not to go into the historical center and leave the car in a large free parking in the north.

Where to stay in Girona

Girona is a very compact city. Its historic center is walked in a couple of hours. All attractions are nearby. Most hotels are located within the historic center, one wonders what area to stay in Girona is not necessary.

Girona Map

Girona Attractions

To get acquainted with Girona you need to walk, and a lot. Overcoming numerous ups and downs on the steps of narrow cobbled streets of the city. It doesn’t matter in what order you will see the sights, they are located next to each other. The main thing here is to relax and feel the spirit of this city. To prepare for the trip, I recommend only putting labels on your card so that you don’t miss anything.

Girona Bridges

What is the most famous photo of Girona? - Of course, colorful houses along the Onyar River. From here I will begin the description. First of all, it is worth noting that there is no embankment along the river as such. The buildings are close to the canal, there is no space for pedestrians to walk through.

The right and left banks of the historical center are connected by five bridges, from which the very symbolic image of Girona opens. All of them are marked on the map of the city's attractions. In order not to clog the article with the same type of photo, I’ll tell you about the three bridges that I liked the most.

Eiffel Bridge (Pont de les Peixateries Velles)

The most popular bridge of Girona among tourists. The attention is drawn to its design, it is completely made of steel. Designed by Eiffel. Yes, the same Eiffel in whose honor the tower in Paris is named.

Pont de Pedra Bridge

The southernmost bridge, which is located on the makeshift border of the old quarter and the modern Eixample district. In my opinion, the best view of the Girona Canal opens from here. The Eiffel bridge, colorful houses and the cathedral in the background harmoniously look in the frame.

Pont de Sant Agusti Bridge

Located in the central part of the canal. From here, the entire promenade of the historical center of Girona is clearly visible. In terms of photogenicity, the view from the bridge is slightly inferior to the previous two.

Wall of Passeig De La Muralla

A defensive structure created back in the days of the Roman Empire. Some sections of the wall survived from the 1st century, is unthinkable. I remember this place in Girona the most.

A stunning panorama of the city opens from the wall.

There are several entry and exit points, but I recommend going all the way. The beginning of the route is marked on the general map on top of the “Begin Wall”. The walk takes about 1.5 hours.

I read that from here it is definitely worth watching the sunset. In the rays of the departing sun the city looks unreal. Unfortunately, on our only night we spent in Girona it was cloudy, so there was no photo.

Jewish Quarter

Another top place in the city. One of the largest Jewish communities in Europe lived in Girona. The labyrinth of narrow tangled streets on the hill is currently a World Heritage Site.

Now inside the monastery is a museum of archeology, for more information on prices and opening hours, see the "museums" section.

Be sure to take a walk here, the place definitely deserves attention, as in any other corner of the historical center of Girona.

Observation Deck Santa Lucia

Near the monastery of Sant Pere de Galligants, there is another very interesting place - an observation deck near the chapel of Santa Lucia.

To get to it and enjoy the view of Girona, you need to climb the wall that surrounds the chapel. Unfortunately, the viewing map is not marked on Google maps, the wall itself is missing on them, so take the Santa Lucia chapel for a landmark, and there you will figure it out.

Girona Cathedral

This is probably the most famous building of Girona. The cathedral has a long and difficult history of construction. Many Spanish architects were engaged in its construction for several centuries. Hence the uniqueness of the building, which incorporates the styles of different eras.

Personally, the cathedral did not impress me. No, this is certainly a grandiose structure, but I have already seen dozens of them all over Europe. therefore, I am more inclined to believe that the Girona panoramas from the Roman wall are a much more impressive sight in this city.

Rambla De La Libertat Street

As I said - Girona is an inimitable mixture of different cultures and architecture. In what other city of the world can you see the Roman fortress wall in a couple of hours, then medieval cathedrals, the Jewish quarter and, in addition, walk along the classic Catalan shopping street?

Rambla De La Libertat has served as the commercial and commercial center of the city for many centuries. Today, there are shops, boutiques and a large number of restaurants and cafes.

After a long busy day in Girona, this is a great place to end your day in one of the establishments with a glass of sangria.

Independence Square (Plaça de la Independència)

It so happened that all the main attractions of Girona are located on the right side of the Onyar River. On the left side there is only one, a must-see place - Independence Square.

The woman at the reception of our hotel circled the square on the map in bold and accompanied by the words that this is the favorite place of the inhabitants of Girona, as well as the gastronomic center of the city.

In fact, the way it is. On the Plaça de la Independència there are many Spaniards, noisy and instead of the usual restaurants, there are only tapas bars and eateries.

Everyone has their own preferences in the kitchen, but I prefer to sit in a restaurant. where can I order a full meal. If you like tapas and light snacks, then you will like the square.

Girona Museums

We did not go to the museums of Girona, we limited ourselves only to walks in the historical center of the city. But for completeness, I will also provide information on them below. If something interests you, study the information on the official website of Girona. Dots on the general map are affixed.

Museum of Jewish History

The exhibition is dedicated to the medieval Jewish community of Catalonia. The everyday life of the Jewish family, customs and traditions is presented.

Opening hours

• July August:  Monday to Saturday from 10:00 to 20:00; Sunday from 10:00 to 14:00;
• September - June:  Tuesday to Saturday from 10:00 to 18:00; Monday, Sunday from 10:00 to 14:00;
• Closed:  January 1.6, December 25.26.

Entry cost

• Standard ticket: 4 €
• Free admission every first Sunday of the month

Cinema museum

The museum displays exhibits from the collection of Thomas Mallola. Who is this, I do not know. There is a permanent exhibition, the main idea of \u200b\u200bwhich is to show objects associated with the birth of the film industry: projectors, ancient cameras and a bunch of other antiques. Temporary thematic exhibitions are also held.

Opening hours:

• September - June:
• July August:  Monday to Saturday from 10:00 to 19:00. Sunday from 10:00 to 14:00.

Entrance Cost:

• Standard ticket: 6 €
• Reduced ticket: 3 € (students, senior citizens)

Museum of the History of Girona

The museum is dedicated to the history of the city. From the moment of foundation by the Romans (1st century BC) until the year 1975.

Opening hours:

• May - September:  from Tuesday to Saturday from 10:30 to 18:30; Sunday from 10:30 to 13:30;
• October - April:  from Tuesday to Saturday from 10:30 to 17:30; Sunday from 10:30 to 13:30;
• Closed:  on Mondays, January 1, 6 and December 25, 26.

Entrance Cost:

• Standard ticket: 4 €
• Free admission: for children under 16, as well as for everyone every first Sunday of the month.

Museum of Archeology

Archaeological findings from excavations in the Girona area are presented. Items from different eras, from the prehistoric period to the Middle Ages.

Opening hours:

• June - September:  Monday to Saturday from 10:00 to 19:00; Sunday from 10:00 to 14:00;
• October - May:  Monday to Saturday from 10:00 to 18:00; Sunday from 10:00 to 14:00;
• Closed:  on Mondays, January 1, 6 and December 25.26.

Entrance Cost:

• Standard ticket: 4,50 €

Contains the most important and outstanding works of art of the province of Girona. Starting from the 11th century and ending with the beginning of the 20th.

Opening hours:

• May - September:  from Tuesday to Saturday from 10:00 to 19:00; Sunday from 10:00 to 14:00;
• October - April:  from Tuesday to Saturday from 10:00 to 18:00; Sunday from 10:00 to 14:00;
• Closed on Mondays.

Entrance Cost:

• Standard ticket: 4,50 €

Here they cheated a little, painted on access to the sea and the harbor. In fact, ahead is a tiny square that rests against the building.

I think that you need to come to Girona overnight. Slowly explore the city, and in the evening stick to one of the restaurants. The next morning it will be possible to head further with a fresh head.

What to see next to Girona

Catalonia is a region rich in sightseeing. We were here just a couple of times, we looked only at 10 percent of what you can see. But I think my experience will also be useful to someone.

If you come here during the beach season, then by all means look at the resorts of the Costa Brava. I like the coastal town the most. Great place for a quiet and relaxing beach holiday.

In the transition season, when you can’t swim or it’s too late, there is also something to do next to Girona. Look, for example, the villages of Pals and Peratalladu, Empuriabrava list can be continued for a long time.

This is the charm of an independent trip organization, in contrast to a package tour. You can create your own unique route, taking into account only personal preferences.

Now there are a lot of offers with excursions from the resort towns of Costa Brava or Barcelona, \u200b\u200bwhere one day it is proposed to go to Girona, gallop through the streets as part of a group, and then go back. Well this is a game, do not use such services, this is not a vacation. Spain is an extremely friendly country for independent travel.

Despite the fact that Girona is remote from the sea, its climate is very mild and warm. As in all resorts of the Costa Brava, the weather in the city is determined by the influence of sea air, but there are almost never strong winds characteristic of the sea coast.

Colds in Girona begin in late October, and end by early March. This is the time of the low tourist season. In the winter months, nighttime temperatures drop to +4 ... + 6ºС. It only gets colder in February. In the daytime, the thermometer usually shows +11 ... + 14ºС. In winter, there is a lot of sun in Girona - great weather for lovers of sightseeing tours.

In the beginning of spring it rains. By the end of May, Girona is already very warm - up to +22 ... + 24ºС. In the summer months it even gets hot: during the day +29 ... + 30ºС, and at night it is 10ºС colder. Such a temperature difference makes it easier to tolerate daytime heat. In June and July, it rains only 3-4 times a month, and in August it is usually dry and there is no rain.

Autumn is always warm in Girona, and the weather is dry until early November. Then it rains more, and the daytime temperature drops to + 16ºС.

Streets of the Jewish Quarter

The medieval part of the building of Girona is called the Old Town. This place is amazing in its beauty and color, which consists of the interweaving of small cobblestone streets. Some of the streets of the Jewish quarter are so narrow that two people find it difficult to separate.

Traveling through the Old City, you can see many stone arches with the image of the hexagonal star of David. This part of Girona recalls the rich Jewish community that settled here in the 9th century and existed in the city for several centuries. The backbone of the Jewish settlement was made up of wealthy merchants and moneylenders. The community flourished, built new houses, synagogues and schools. Girona Jews were among those who invested in the expedition of Christopher Columbus.

However, times have changed. Towards the end of the 14th century, the Catholic Church took a new course, and persecution of Jews began in the city. Their synagogues were closed, and violent pogroms were held in the houses, which took place by direct order of the rulers of the time, King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella. The Spanish authorities ordered the expulsion of all Jews who did not accept Catholicism from the country. Most Jews, fearing for their own lives and the lives of their loved ones, were forced to abandon their property and flee Girona.

Poor Roman Catholic families settled in Jewish-owned homes who did not have enough money to carry out high-quality repairs or remodeling in new housing. Due to this, the old buildings of the XV century have survived to this day almost unchanged.

Walking around the Jewish quarter, it is worth going not only along its main street Carrer Força, but also turn into the streets of St. Lawrence, Kundaro and Carrer Escola Pia. Here, in the old stone walls of the houses, small holes have been preserved for attaching "jellyfish" - parchments with verses from the Torah. In such places, Jews traditionally prayed, holding a parchment with their hand.

Today, the Jewish Quarter is considered not only the historical part of the city, but also a district with very expensive housing. And only wealthy citizens live here.

Architectural monuments

The Onyar River divides Girona into two parts - the old buildings and modern quarters. Once along its shore stood an old fortress wall. The French, who fought with the Spaniards, destroyed it, and in the 17th century local authorities decided to build residential houses on the remains of the wall. So, on an old masonry, directly above the river, a number of unusual buildings grew. Later they were rebuilt, but all this time the inhabitants of the city inhabited the houses on Onyar.

Today, old buildings are painted in different colors and look very picturesque. This is best seen from the small bridges laid over the river. Tourists love to come to Girona bridges to take pictures of medieval buildings and white herons that live along Onyar, as well as to feed large fish living in the river.

One of the ten bridges of Girona deserves special attention. It was built according to the project of the famous engineer Gustav Eiffel, and this happened in 1876, when 13 years remained before the construction of the iconic Paris tower. The bridge structure is made of metal and is located in the very center of the city - in the place where the river receives three small tributaries. The bridge is painted in bright red color and blends seamlessly into the surrounding landscape.

Arriving in Girona, it is worth visiting near the oldest defensive structure of this city - the fortress wall, which was built here during the Roman Empire (75 AD). This wall was erected to protect the military settlement - Gerunda, which provided security on the old Via Augusta road connecting the capital of the empire with Seville.

Now the fortress wall has been perfectly restored and is one of the most popular tourist sites in Girona. On it you can take walks and admire the city from above. From here you can clearly see the old and new quarters of Girona, architectural monuments, shady gardens and picturesque foothills.

On the old wall there are several observation towers that were used by Roman soldiers as sentinels. The largest of them is called Torre Gironella. It was here that in 1391 several Jewish families escaped from pogroms organized by Catholics in Girona.

Another historical and architectural landmark of the city is the Arab baths. Despite this name, the baths are in no way connected with Muslim traditions. The building in the Romanesque style was erected in the XII century. However, archaeologists are sure that the buildings where the ablutions were performed, stood on this place before.

In the XIII century, French troops invaded Girona, which destroyed many buildings, including unusual Arab baths. Then they tried to restore the historic building several times. But this was only done in 1929, and the Catalan architect Rafael Maso led the restoration work. The old baths are equipped with a wardrobe, a cold room, a room temperature room, a hot bath and a steam room. In addition, there is an octagonal ornate pool inside.

Cult Buildings Girona

The main temple of the city is the cathedral, which occupies the Cathedral Square of Girona. Initially, a Roman tomb stood on this site, but in 1312 the city authorities began to erect a Catholic church here. Large construction stretched for almost three hundred years and ended in 1604, when the new church was consecrated in honor of St. Mary.

The fact that the cathedral was built for such a long time was reflected, first of all, in its architectural appearance. In the huge building you can see elements of Romanesque architecture, renaissance and Gothic. And the facade of the cathedral is made in the Baroque style and is decorated with an expressive round window and sculptures. Inside the building are stored tombs, where the counts of Barcelona rest.

The nave of the temple, built in 1416 by the architect Guillermo Bofill, makes the biggest impression on everyone. Its dimensions are huge: 34 m in height and 23 m in width. Only the Roman Cathedral of St. Peter possesses a slightly larger nave.

A staircase of 90 steps leads to the entrance to the main Catholic temple of Girona. There is a belief in the city that the rise to each of them provides forgiveness of one of the sins.

The interior of the temple looks no less magnificent. Huge arches intertwined under a high nave. The main decorations of the cathedral are old, very well restored stained glass windows and organ.

A small museum is opened at the temple, where church utensils, sculptures, rare manuscripts, valuable precious metal products and a well-preserved handmade carpet, which experts date to the 11th-12th centuries, are exhibited.

You can visit the cathedral on any day except Monday. On the siesta, the temple closes from 13 to 16 hours. Entrance to it is free, and for the inspection of the museum collection you need to pay 3.5 euros.

Of the religious buildings of Girona, the ancient monastery of St. Peter Galligans, which the Benedictines founded in the X century, deserves special attention. It stands on a tributary of the Onyar River, in the northern part of the city. The monastery building is a vivid example of the Romanesque architecture of the Middle Ages. It has three naves and four altar apse. The two-story monastery bell tower is built on an octagonal base. Inside the monastery is equipped with a Christian necropolis. Tourists come here to relax in the cozy monastery garden and explore the collections of the Museum of Archeology.

Next to this monastery you can see the beautiful Lombardy Church of San Nicolau, built in the XII century. The prototype of a slender temple was the church of Italian Lombardy, with octagonal domes. Initially, the church served as a chapel at the monastery cemetery, so the ancient necropolis is located here.

Another famous temple of Girona is the Gothic church of Sant Feliu, built in the XI-XIII centuries. It is located north of the Old Town. The ancient temple is dedicated to two patrons of Girona - saints Philip and Narcissus and stores very ancient sarcophagi dating from the 2nd-6th centuries, as well as wall paintings that depict animal and floral ornaments. On Sundays, you can get to this church for free, and on other days an admission here costs 7 euros.

Museums

The museum collection, which tells the story of Girona, is located on the street. Carrer de la Forka, near the cathedral. This museum is considered one of the best in Catalonia and presents artifacts found by archaeologists in the city and its environs. In 14 museum halls you can find out a lot of interesting things about the Roman fortress of Gerund, the medieval development of the city, the consequences of the wars with France, as well as about modern Girona. The real highlight of this museum is the collection of rare musical instruments.

The Archaeological Museum of Girona is located in the monastery of St. Peter Galligans and is famous far beyond the borders of Catalonia. It is noteworthy that for the first time his collections were put on public display in 1857. The basis of the museum exposition is made up of finds made during excavations of the ancient Roman Gerund in 1846, as well as tombstones from the old Jewish cemetery. Lovers of antiquities specially come to this museum to see unique exhibits - an ancient Roman mosaic and a sarcophagus of the 4th century.

Traveling through the old Jewish quarter, it’s interesting to look into a museum telling about the history of the Jewish communities of Catalonia. It is located in a building that used to be occupied by the Girona synagogue. In 11 halls there is an exposition telling about the traditions and laws of the Jewish diaspora, holidays and ceremonies held in Girona, as well as about the professional activities of Catalan Jews, their crafts and trade.

When traveling through Girona, you can visit one of the most unusual museums - the cinema museum, which was opened in 1998. It was created by a passionate collector, Thomas Mullall, who had been collecting old movie lenses for over 30 years.

The huge collection of this museum, consisting of more than 20 thousand exhibits, allows you to touch the history of cinematography. About 8 thousand movie lenses, almost 100 types of old movie cameras, devices used by moviegoers, books, posters and magazines about film art and a huge archive of documents are exhibited here.

Fans of painting and graphics should include the city art museum, which occupies the building of the bishop's palace, built in the 10th century in the historic center of the city, in the travel route around Girona. It was here that Girona once hosted the kings of Spain.

Now inside the magnificent palace exhibited a rich collection of works of art created from X to XX century. In the halls of the museum you can see ancient illustrated manuscripts, enjoy the paintings of Spanish masters and admire the carvings made of wood. The most valuable exhibits are a bar made of wood, which depicts figures of Christian monks (XII century), as well as a silver altar (X century).

Fans of retro cars will be interested in the Salvador Claretta collection on display in the city. He began collecting it in 1950, acquiring the old Ford, released in 1923. Now 170 retro cars are available to Girona's guests, including the 1883 automobile - the Merry Weather.

On the outskirts of the city is the Iberian village or the Poblado Iberica Museum. An asphalt road leads here from Girona. The entire collection presented here was found on the territory of an ancient Iberian settlement, which, according to historians, could be the largest in the region. In the Museum of Poblado Iberica, you can see ancient weapons, coins, tools for cultivating the land, the first looms and ceramics. For unknown reasons, people stopped living in an Iberian village in the 2nd century BC. Archaeological excavations in these places began in the 30s of the last century and continue in a planned manner to this day, bringing every year new and interesting finds.

The most popular souvenirs that travelers seek to bring from Girona are items that depict city symbols: a sculpture of a Girona lioness and a bronze weather vane with an angel that crowns the bell tower of the city's cathedral. They are considered to be real signs of fortune and are printed on T-shirts, mugs, key rings and other things intended for sale to tourists.

Surprisingly, one of the best-selling Girona souvenirs is flies. The image of flies can be seen everywhere in the city: on display cases, stickers, hairpins, magnets, in the form of chocolate figures and on fans. And such "popularity" is explained simply. The patron saint of Girona is considered to be Saint Narcissus. Tradition is connected with him, and more precisely with his grave. In the XIII century, the city was captured by French soldiers. They came to the grave of St. Narcissus and tried to defile it. But suddenly, hordes of huge flies that bit the invaders flew out from under the lid of the coffin. The bites were fatal, and Girona freed itself from enemies.

In the cinema museum you can buy collection disks with films, funny music boxes with melodies from different films, as well as collectible movie posters.

Transport

Girona is relatively small. Conveniently, all of its main attractions can be bypassed. The train station and bus station are also located nearby. From public transport in this city, only buses run. In Girona and its suburbs, 11 daily routes and one night route were laid. The fare is 1.4 euros. Information on the cost of tickets can be found.

Hotel Deals

How to get there

The closest airport to Girona is the Costa Brava Airport, located 12 km from the city. It has international status and accepts flights from around the world. From this airport to Girona there are regular buses and taxis. Buses depart every hour and reach the city in 25 minutes.

Tourists from Russia most often fly to Barcelona airport “El Prat” - the largest air gate of Catalonia. From Barcelona to Girona can be reached by train. Regular and high-speed trains leave every half hour from Barcelona Sans Central Station and reach their destination in 75 or 90 minutes. To get to the Barcelona Sans train station, you need to go to the underground trains from Terminal 2 of Barcelona Airport and get to the city.

In addition, from Barcelona to Girona can be reached by regular buses. In this case, the road will take 1.15-1.20 hours.

The fastest way to get from Barcelona Airport to Girona is by rented car or taxi - in about 40 minutes. In this case, you need to go along the free highway N-II.

Girona is the largest city in the region and the capital of the Spanish province of the same name, which is part of Catalonia, which is a tourist destination due to its convenient location, a large number of attractions and a huge number of festivals that are held here almost every week.

The city is located in the northeast of Spain, just an hour and a half from the capital of Catalonia, Barcelona, \u200b\u200band thirty minutes from the resorts of the Costa Brava. Many low cost airlines fly to Girona Airport, so many tourists who travel to other Catalan cities initially arrive here. But Girona itself is an excellent tourist destination at any time of the year due to its mild climate and a large number of attractions.

As a place to stay, this city has a lot to offer you. There is something to see in Girona for people of all ages, and for children, and couples, and retirees. The province is extremely diverse, Girona is one of the most historically rich places in Spain and the city is justly proud of its beautiful historical quarter, which always attracts many visitors. Founded by the Romans, the city was later captured by the Moors and Franks, before finally falling under the control of Barcelona. Girona was formed under the influence of various cultures and religions and now the city attracts visitors with beautiful architecture and a special atmosphere. The Old and New Towns offer many opportunities to get lost in the narrow streets and watch the local life and culture.

The history of Girona

Early period

An ancient medieval city, references to which are more than 2000 years old, Girona was officially founded as far back as 79 BC. The first historical inhabitants of the region were Iberians. The city began its life as a small settlement, before the Romans became interested. Having become interested in the city, they built a fortress there, which was given the name Gerunda. The future Girona had a special strategic location for the Romans, being an important stopping place on the long August road, between the Spanish Cadiz and Rome.

The Carrer de la Forca, which is located in the Old Town district, actually repeats part of the original August road.

Over time, the inevitable battle for control of this growing city has begun. Girona passed into the hands of the Visigoths, who ruled her until she was conquered by the Moors. The fortress has always been of great military importance and the history of wars with the Moors is rich in references to it. Finally, Charlemagne conquered it in 785 and made it one of the fourteen original counties of Catalonia. Girona became one of the main areas in the region, and the city continued to grow, improving its overall infrastructure and expanding its borders. During the reign of Charles the Great, the fortress passed back to the Moors, but then was reconquered again, but the invaders were completely expelled only in 1015. Bethred I the Hairy included Girona in the county of Barcelona in 878. In the XI century, Alfonso I of Aragon gave Girona the status of a city. The ancient county later became a duchy in 1351 when King Pedro IV of Aragon established the title of duke for his firstborn, Juan I. In 1414, King Ferdinand I of Aragon, in turn, gave the title of Prince of Girona to his son Alfonso.

The title was abolished in the 16th century, but the Spanish royal family revived it most recently, in the late 1970s. Now the title of Princess of Girona belongs to the infante Leonor, Princess of Asturias.

Middle Ages. Jewish community of Girona

But the XII century was marked by the rapid development of the Jewish community of Girona, which was inhabited by followers of the Kabbalistic teachings. The Girona rabbi, Moshe ben Nachman Gerondi (better known as Nachmanides or Ramban) even received the status of the main Catalan rabbi. The community actually established its power in the city, gaining control over many areas of activity and positioning itself as an urban elite. Nevertheless, the prominence of the Jews came to a rather unexpected end in 1492, when the Catholic monarchs expelled all Jews who refused to change the Verna from Catalonia. Although now there is a well-known Jewish community in the city and a whole block, which is considered a separate attraction.

Sieges and wars

Over the following years, Girona was besieged 25 times, often being the target of the French. But only 7 attacks ended in success, during which the city passed into the hands of the besiegers. The city was attacked by French royal troops under the command of Marshal Charles de Manche d'Okencourt in 1653, Marshal Bernardin Gigot de Belfon in 1684, and twice in 1694 under the command of Anna Jules de Noaille. One of the most famous battles took place in May 1809, when the city was besieged by the 35,000th army of French Napoleonic troops under the command of Vergier, Augereau and Saint-Cyr, and stubbornly remained under the direction of Alvarez until illness and hunger forced him to capitulate after 7 months of the siege. Girona was the center of the Ter department during French rule, which lasted from 1809 to 1813, but with the fall of Napoleonic France, Girona and the province of Barcelona returned to Spain, where it remains today, being a popular tourist destination.

City of Festivals

In addition to celebrating the national public holidays of Spain, Girona has its own calendar of exhibitions, holidays and other events, which are usually distributed fairly evenly throughout the year and are always popular.

They often include processions, parades and fireworks, many of these festivals and festivals are directly related to the ancient past of the city, its religious heritage, traditional Spanish music and Catalan cuisine and drinks. Other events are an occasion to celebrate the city’s love for sports, theater and cinema.

The city is open for various cultural events that artists, artists and organizers want to hold in this unique place. For this reason, many festivals of music, cinema, visual and performing arts take place in Girona every year, bringing together a large number of disciplines: jazz, street art, classical guitar, international theater, amateur theater, video and audiovisual materials, etc. .

Every February, the Girona Mardi Gras marks the beginning of the time of carnivals, masquerades, along with colorful, costumed parades. With the advent of March, the Gastronomy Week and Easter celebrations, which form the Holy Week, begin, and in April, the Spring Festival and St. George's Day are one of the largest events. They are followed in May by a flower extravaganza called Temps de Flors and Half Marathon, and in June, the Nativity of John the Baptist, famous for its fireworks.

Sample calendar of festivals and holidays in Girona

The list of festivals is not accurate, it lists only those events that take place in Girona regularly. In addition to them, many other events are organized in the city, which you can find out about in more detail, as well as to clarify the time and standard festivals on the Girona official website: girona.cat

Girona Attractions

The historic city of Girona, one of the most interesting in Catalonia, invites you to trace its more than 2,000-year history with the help of two fortifications, Fort Velha and the Medieval quarter. The artistic heritage of the city has been preserved in the numerous monuments that exist to this day. The main attractions of Girona are concentrated in the impressive old Jewish quarter, with its beautiful streets and squares with porticoes, luxurious baroque squares and the buildings of architect Rafael Maso.

A walk through the historic “Old Town” of Girona is a must for inveterate travelers. The New Town district is nearby and connected to the Old Town by a series of bridges, and the train station is about 15 minutes walk from the Plaza de Espana. The “Old Town” stands on the steep hill of the Capuchins east of the Onyar River, while the more modern part is located on a plain to the west.

List of main attractions

Force Vella	In the first century BC, the Romans built a mighty fortress with an almost triangular perimeter (a kind of acropolis) which is known as Force Vella. The fortress was well protected by a defensive rampart built of large hewn stones. This was the first city fortification and it remained unchanged until the year 1000, and parts of this wall can still be seen today. Historically, walls have played an important role in protecting Girona from invaders for hundreds of years. But the fortifications were thoroughly rebuilt during the reign of Pedro III Ceremonial in the second half of the XIV century, the Roman walls were used as the foundation. At the beginning of the 16th century, the city swallowed the walls and the fortifications lost military significance.
Girona Cathedral	The cathedral is located in the heart of Força Vella. The church, parts of which are preserved, existed on this site in the 11th century, and the last works were completed in the 18th century. It includes a number of walls and rooms in different styles, from the Romanesque (monastery and Charles Tower) to the Baroque facade and steps. Its most unique feature is the large Gothic nave (XV – XVI century), which, with a width of 23 meters, is considered the widest of its kind in the world. The ancient cathedral, which stood on the site of the present, was used by the Moors as a mosque and after their final exile was either completely rebuilt or restored. This building is one of the most important monuments of the school of the architect Jaime Fabra and a great example of Catalan Gothic architecture. Eighty-six steps lead to the Girona Cathedral of the Virgin Mary. A passage and chapels surround the choir, which opens with three arches in the nave, among them a pointed stone arch. Among the objects of interior decoration there is a retable of the work of the Valencian silverfish Pere Bernek. It is divided into three tiers of statuettes and reliefs framed in canopy-covered niches of cast and hammered silver. The golden and silver front altar was carried away by the French in 1809. In the cathedral are the graves of Ramon Berenguer and his wife.
Monastery of St. Peter Galligans	The 12th century Benedictine monastery with a temple, a basilica with a unique layout, an octagonal tower now serves as an archaeological museum, which displays various exhibits from excavations, tombstones of an old Jewish cemetery, an ancient sarcophagus and Egyptian mosaic. Nearby is the church of St. Nicholas (Sao Nicolau), which also works as an exhibition hall.
Arab baths	A 12th-century Romanesque special building inspired by Roman baths, its most prominent elements include a cylindrical vaulted entrance, used as a dressing room and relaxation area, and a dome above the central pool, which is supported by thin columns with richly decorated capitals.
Basilica of St. Philip	The first cathedral of Girona, built before the X century, is one of the most representative Gothic buildings, primarily due to the elongated bell tower (built XIV-XVI centuries). The Romanesque apse was complemented by Gothic naves and a baroque facade (XIII – XVIII century). The church holds remarkable works of art, such as eight pagan and early Christian sarcophagi of the 4th century and the Lying Christ of the 14th century by the sculptor Aloy de Montbray. But the main advantage of Sant Feliu is still architecture, it is one of the few Spanish churches that have an authentic spire. It contains, in addition to the tomb of its patron and the grave of the valiant Alvarez, a chapel in honor of St. Narcissus, who, according to legend, was one of the first bishops of the diocese.
Jewish Quarter of Girona	Located inside Fork Velha, the Jewish Quarter (aka Call) is one of the most emblematic areas of the city. It consists of a labyrinth of narrow streets and courtyards that retain their medieval atmosphere. This is one of the best preserved Jewish neighborhoods in the world and clear evidence of the influence of Jewish culture on Girona. Although most of the traces of the rich Jewish history of Girona were destroyed when the Jews were expelled from Spain, some still remained. On the Carrer de Sant Llorenc, you can see rectangular battlements on the doors of the old building that once held mezuzahs. Next is the Ramban Center and the Catalan Jewish Museum.
Medieval quarter	The medieval city was built between the 11th and 15th centuries with new quarters erected in the north of Força Vella (Sant Feliu and Sant Pere), in the south (Areny and Vilanova) and in the west (Mercadal), all of them were protected by new walls, some sections which can still be seen today, strolling along the old streets.
Valley and Monastery of St. Daniel	From Abbey of St. Peter Galligants you can go to the valley of St. Daniel, a large green area near the city, with shady areas and natural springs. The church, in which the tomb of St. Daniel is located, was created by the sculptor Aloi de Montbray in the XIV century, it is another beautiful example of Spanish Gothic.
University and Monastery of San Domenech	The monastery of San Domenech was built in the XIII-XIV centuries, was one of the first Gothic buildings in all of Catalonia. Unfortunately, today from the old buildings only the facade of the 16th century building Les Àligues has been preserved. The monastery ceased to fulfill its functions in the middle of the XIX century and the University of Girona was located here, in which more than 10 thousand students study.
The fortress walls of Girona	The Roman walls in the Middle Ages were expanded, as the city grew, and the old fortifications were outdated. In the 9th century, the longest Carolingian walls were built, which have been preserved to this day, visitors can walk along the alley, which runs along some sections of the walls, and the various towers are excellent observation platforms overlooking the city and surrounding areas.
Liberty Boulevard (Rambla de la Llibertat)	This magnificent long stretch along the Onyar River appeared in the 13th century. It is distinguished by vaulted low ceilings with multi-level arches, then it was reserved for the market, and now there are numerous cafes and shops in the arches.
Plaza del Vie	This noisy square is surrounded by the arcades of the so-called Palau del General (town hall), a Gothic Renaissance building that housed the Catalan state administration of Girona in the 16th and 17th centuries, and the building of the City Hall and the 19th-century city theater, which is one of the most interesting in Catalonia .
San Marti Sacosta	Girona has managed to preserve numerous medieval places with exceptional atmosphere and beauty, where time seems to have stopped. One of such places is the territory belonging to the church of the 17th century monastery of San Marti, with its baroque facade and steps in front of it.
Independence Square in Girona	Designed by Marty Sured on the site of the old monastery of St. Augustine, Girona's most popular square. With a neoclassical arcade square, the Plaça de la Independència will always be a busy place due to the large number of restaurants gathered here. In the center of the square is a monument to the defenders of the city of Girona in 1809, created in 1894 by the sculptor Antonio Parera. Independence Square, which refers to the period of the Spanish War for independence from Napoleon Bonaparte, is one of the most famous and most visited places in Girona. It is located in the Mercadal district in the city center and is also known as St. Augustine's Square because of the monastery located here. Of interest is the style of the 19th century, which the architect adhered to, and the square itself is surrounded by strict identical neoclassical buildings with covered galleries. Some establishments in the square are well known for their history, for example, Cafe Royal, Cinema Albeniz and Casa Marieta.
Houses on the Onyar River	A characteristic feature of Girona are picturesque houses with views of the Onyar River. They were built over the years and externally create the feeling of a small Mediterranean city. The facades are painted in accordance with the palette created by a group of artists Anses, James and Faiso and architects Fuses and Viader. One of these houses is Casa Maso, it is open to the public, it is the home of the architect Rafael Maso and an example of modernism style in Girona. It is easily recognizable by its unique white facade overlooking the river. Also of interest to tourists is the series of bridges over Onyar, one of which was built by the famous Gustave Eiffel's office.
The architecture of modernity and novesentizma	Interesting is not only the medieval, but also more modern architecture of Girona, which dates back to the 19th and 20th centuries, the period of active industrial growth of Catalonia. A walk through the city center and its various districts allows the visitor to admire apartment buildings and private houses, industrial buildings designed 100-200 years ago by many famous architects of that time. So in Girona you can feel not only the atmosphere of the Middle Ages, but also the time of the industrial revolution.

Girona itself has a lot of interesting things for any tourist, but other attractions are located in the vicinity. For example, in a 20-minute drive is the village of Pubol. Her attractions include the medieval atmosphere and the Gala Dali Castle, which was acquired by the famous artist Salvador Dali for his wife and muse. The theme of Salvador Dali continues in the neighboring village of Figueres, which is located about 45 minutes north of Girona, in which the famous artist was born. Also in the north, but a little further, is the medieval village of Perelada. Another regional city of Banyoles is located near Girona and offers to plunge into the vast history of Catalonia thanks to museums and archaeological sites. And, of course, Barcelona and the world resort of the Costa Brava are not in need of introduction.

And in Girona itself, in addition to historical sights, there are many museums that will allow you to immerse yourself in the history of Catalonia, a virtually independent, distinctive region within Spain. There are seven large museums in Girona that display a rich, diverse heritage of art and history from antiquity to the present day.

List of the main museums in Girona

Holidays in Girona

Girona is a popular tourist destination; the city is visited purposefully to get acquainted with its architecture or visit one of the many festivals, as well as during one-day tours. For example, from Barcelona to Girona can be reached in an hour and a half, and in Girona itself there are numerous flights with vacationers who follow to the resort area of \u200b\u200bthe Costa Brava.

In addition to visiting the already listed attractions in Girona, you can find other types of entertainment and leisure. For example, Girona is quite suitable for shopping, there are all kinds of shops: prestigious international brands, avant-garde decor, designer jewelry, artisans, antiques, delicacies and many other products provide a wide range of shopping opportunities and guarantee pleasant shopping for all visitors. And Girona holds a variety of open fairs and markets throughout the year as part of numerous festivals and events.

Girona has great potential in terms of outdoor recreation. Rivers flowing through the city center, Mediterranean and coastal forests, mountain ranges, as well as fields, arable land and vegetable gardens - all this in a landscape that harmoniously connects the growing city and the preserved natural surroundings. The rich nature provides many opportunities for outdoor activities:

• Guided hiking in the urban area or hiking in the San Daniel Valley;
• All types of cycling;
• Girona is located at the confluence of four rivers, which makes it possible to go kayaking, engage in kayaking and just relax on the banks of one of the rivers;
• Girona itself and the surrounding beauty can be appreciated from a bird's eye view by rising in a balloon.

Girona is also famous for its cuisine, as evidenced by several annual gastronomic festivals, which is characterized by a combination of traditional and avant-garde dishes based on the use of local products and time-tested recipes. The city has many restaurants offering a variety of menus: Catalan, Mediterranean, market, as well as author's cuisine. So a trip to Girona is a good option for gastronomic tourism. The quality of the Girona catering establishments is confirmed by the inclusion of some of them in the Michelin catalog, and the institution El Celler De Can Roca was the holder of the title of the best restaurant in the world.

Girona will be of interest to lovers of nightly entertainment, the city offers a wide selection of options for exploring the local nightlife throughout the year, from friendly bars where you can drink a glass of your favorite drink in the evening, to pubs, terraces, music bars and discos where the fun continues until dawn.

It is important that Girona is a fairly large regional city that is not completely dependent on tourism and does not die out in winter, like many coastal villages. All institutions work here all year round, and the sights take tourists. And, of course, the festivals that have already been mentioned several times take place in the city every month and even in winter. By the way, the winter in Girona is mild, which makes visiting the city comfortable at any time of the year.

At the same time, Catalonia itself is one of the most versatile provinces in Spain, because a trip to Girona can be combined with many types of recreation:

• The proximity of the resort area of \u200b\u200bthe Costa Brava allows you to combine a beach holiday with trips to attractions;
• The surrounding nature attracts lovers of rural recreation and ecotourism;
• The nearby Pyrenees allow you to ski and snowboard, and spend the rest of your vacation in Girona.

Weather in Girona

The weather in Spanish Girona is mild and pleasant. The average annual temperature is 23 degrees Celsius, and the average rainfall per year is only 749 mm. In August it can be hot, sometimes the temperature reaches 40 degrees Celsius, but this is rare. In February, the temperature can drop a couple of degrees below 0, but the average temperature in winter is about 10 degrees. It should be borne in mind that the sea coast is usually warmer than inland. In addition, fairly cold winds and precipitation can come down from the Pyrenees.

Map

A photo

The historical region of Spain, located in the northeast of the Iberian Peninsula, between the Mediterranean Sea and the Pyrenees, is officially called the autonomous region of Catalonia. In addition to the famous Barcelona, \u200b\u200bGirona also belongs to its famous cities, which is the center of the mosquito (local area of \u200b\u200bgovernment) Girones. In Catalonia there is also the province of Girona. Spain, being has 17 autonomies, which, in turn, are divided into 50 provinces.

The history of Girona

The old countries of Europe attract travelers from all over the world. Every street, every house on this continent is a monument. The country beyond the Pyrenees, from where Columbus and Magellan sailed away in their travels, is especially loved by tourists. There are dozens of routes called “Spain. Sights". Girona is not in last place there. It is the city with the highest standard of living in Spain. Catalonia is a thriving region, which is why separatist sentiments are so strong there. Girona has always been rich and was the residence of the kings of Aragon. Since 1351, the eldest son of the king was given the title "Prince of Girona" - the official pretender to the throne. Located close to the French border, the city several times passed under the jurisdiction of France.

Border settlements always absorb the culture of the two countries and thus become even more attractive to guests. Tours “Spain. Sights". Girona, being one of the oldest cities in Europe, is a desirable object to visit.

The oldest fortified area

This city was founded by Iberians, a tribe who lived on from the III millennium BC (the official date of the founding of the city is 79 BC). With the arrival of the Romans, who were able to evaluate a militarily advantageous place, a fortification fortified area was built here, and then a fortified castle, which was called Gerunda. It was intended to protect Via Augusta, the main 1,500 km of the Iberian Peninsula road connecting Rome to Seville in those days. And today in the old town a small dark street has been preserved - the remainder of that famous tract. In the entire history of its existence, Girona withstood 25 sieges (only 7 times was taken), the most difficult of which was the 7-month encirclement of Napoleonic troops in 1809. After the collapse of the Roman Empire, the city fell under the rule of Arabs for centuries. And this also could not but affect the architecture and general culture of the province. The city has a unique object - the Arab baths, which have no relation to the Arabs, since it was built in 1129. It is the only complex of its kind on the entire Iberian Peninsula. This tourist attraction is included in all prospectuses of tours "Spain, attractions." Girona carefully guards its historical monuments.

Name legend

In 1015, the city, as a result of the final expulsion of the Arabs, departs to the Duchy of Barcelona. The current Girona is so beautiful and peculiar that it has several names. Here are some of them: a city of thousands of sieges and thousands of legends, the last bridge to Africa, the first boulevard in Europe. An interesting one of the legends of the name. She tells how the three-headed monster Gerio, who lives in the Onyar River, ignited a passion for the beautiful Pyrenees. Hercules himself was a successful rival to him (according to some myths, the founder of Spain).

The girl fled from the monster and hid in the forest, which the furious monster set on fire. The hero killed Gerio, buried his beloved, pouring mountains of stones on the grave, called the Pyrenees. And the sons of the monster built on the site of the tragedy, on the bank of the river. Onyar, a triangular fortress, naming it in honor of his father Gironde.

History of the Jewish community

One of the pearls of the city is its old part. The best preserved quarter is the Jewish community, which appeared in the city in 890 and was expelled from it after 600 years by the famous anti-Semites Ferdinand and Isabella. This is one of the tragic pages in the history of Spain. Now the quarter is called El-Call (El Call) Aliham. The richest community in Spain contributed to the rapid prosperity of the city itself. The Jewish quarter is a monument of medieval architecture. This object is also recommended for a must visit in all guides called "Spain. Sights". Girona honors the memory of the expelled and killed - there is a very interesting museum of the history of the Jewish community.

Center color scheme

One of the most picturesque areas of the city is located on the banks of the Onyar River. It is called the Rambla de la Lliibertat and is the most lively place in Girona. There used to be a shopping area in the area, and now there are many shops, cafes and restaurants. After the defeat of Napoleon, houses in the style of architecture of that time were erected on the site of the city wall, demolished by the French during the 7-month siege, and painted them in various colors of delicate shades. Open Air Museum - this name is fully consistent with the city of Girona (Spain). The sights (photos of each of them in dozens of copies from various angles can be seen in various booklets and albums) amaze with their beauty and unusualness.

Capital of cultural tourism

Catalonia is not only the richest but also one of those areas of Europe where cultural tourism is developed. Here were born such brush masters as Dali, Tapries and Miro. The city has beautiful museums - art, cinema, archeology, the history of the city, the Jewish community. The Palau Firal exhibition complex, which hosts exhibitions, fairs and competitions, also operates in the city. It is located in the famous Parc park, where the Auditori concert hall and the Palau de Congressos palace are located. The latter are known for hosting the most significant cultural and musical events of autonomy and Spain as a whole.

Tourism Income

The city has another park, the largest in Catalonia, - Deves Park, as well as the ancient Roman wall. I want to say that books are written about each object of the economic capital, and a simple list of them occupies a page. The city of Girona (Spain), whose sights thousands and thousands of travelers are eager to see, takes tourism very seriously. After all, this is an industry that brings substantial revenue to the provincial budget.

Student City

In the eastern part of the city, next to the Cathedral, is the monastery of San Domenech. It was built in 1253. This is one of the first buildings in Catalonia, built in the Gothic style and preserved to this day. Moreover, it is still in use. Within its walls is now housed the University of Girona. Indeed, since 1823 the monastery was not used for its intended purpose. About 1,500 professors work in it, the number of students is over 11,000 people. Girona is considered a student city. Most of the country's prestigious universities are in autonomy.

Other attractions

Attractions include the ancient northern gate of San Cristofol, preserved in good condition to this day. The legendary fortress wall, as befits it, goes around the entire old city. It is interspersed with towers, of which the highest is the tower of Torre Gironella, which is famous not only for the observation deck at the top, from where you can admire the Old Town, but its history. Outside its walls from the pogroms of 1391, when 40 people were torn to pieces by a crowd, rogue Jews hid. The Episcopal Palace deserves attention not only because of its antiquity, but also because it houses the Girona Museum of Art.

You need to see everything

The Cathedral of the city deserves special attention, its decoration and pride. His story is interesting. Erected on the site of the Romanesque tomb of the X-XI centuries, it was built from 1312 to 1604, incorporating all the architectural styles that have changed over the centuries - Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque. He is famous for his nave, the largest in the history of Gothic architecture - 34 m high, 23 wide. Its grandeur and monumentality is second only to St. Peter's Basilica in Rome. So the question of what to see in Girona (Spain), you can answer: "That's it." These are the Episcopal Palace and the Church of San Feliu, San Pere de Galigans and the Church of San Nicolau, the Monastery of St. Daniel and the Church of St. Philip. Independence Square is also considered a tourist attraction and is included, like all of the above, in all the avenues and guides in this unusual city.

Holidays in honor of the patron

Girona (Spain) reviews is only enthusiastic. Tourists especially celebrate the holidays of this city. Like any settlement in Spain, it has its patron saint - this is Saint Narcissus. Not only magnificent holidays are associated with this saint - Fair of St. Narcissus (October 29) and Time of Flowers (third week of May), but also the unique floral decoration of the city. It is impossible to imagine the beauty of city stairs, decorated with flowers. You need to see at least photos. The figured floristry of the city is extraordinary. This is also why Girona (Spain) is so tempting. Sights reviews have the most positive, because the beauty of the city is indescribable.