Top 15 Girona Attractions, Spain

Catalan Girona is a city where Romanesque buildings of the 10th-12th centuries still stand, and valuable artifacts from the Roman period and the dark times of the Early Middle Ages are stored in museums. The power of the past centuries seems to be frozen forever in the facades of the houses of the Jewish Quarter and the outlines of formidable Romanesque churches.

Girona is far from the coveted beaches of the Costa Brava, but this does not lose its value. Many tourists come here on excursions from the resort towns of the coast to diversify their lazy beach vacation, and are satisfied. In addition to grandiose architectural sights, Girona has several worthwhile museums housing priceless exhibits of great interest to history buffs.

What to see and where to go in Girona?

The most interesting and beautiful places for walking. Photos and a short description.

Fortress walls

The fortress walls of Girona were built in the 1st century during the heyday of the Roman Empire, they were part of the defensive structures that protected the road from Rome to Seville. Only a small part of the walls, which has been restored, has survived to this day. From the observation platforms located along the perimeter, a panoramic view of the city opens. Nowadays, the fortress walls are a popular tourist attraction.

"Girona Lioness"

Sculpture of the 11th century, installed next to the church of Sant Feliu. The figure of a lioness is somewhat reminiscent of the famous Roman she-wolf. There are many beliefs associated with this attraction. According to one of them, it is believed that if you kiss a lioness in the back, then all wishes will come true. For these purposes, a special ladder is even attached to the sculpture. In fact, the sculpture is the heraldic symbol of Girona, and kissing in an unusual place is just a joke custom.

Jewish Quarter

Jews began to settle in Girona from the 9th century. Their community was very powerful before the wave of persecution that swept Europe in the 15th century. The expelled Jews were replaced by poor Christian families who were not engaged in arranging the houses of the quarter. That is why the area has come down to us almost in its original form. Nowadays, El Cal has become a bohemian quarter, where real estate costs a lot of money.

Independence Square

One of the central squares of Girona, located on the site of the monastery of St. Augustine. The architectural appearance of the place took shape in the 19th century. The square is surrounded by austere facades of neoclassical buildings and sculptural colonnades. It hosts mass social events, festive markets and music festivals. On Independence Square there are many restaurants and bars with outdoor summer areas.

Rambla de la Libertad

The central walking boulevard of Girona, filled with tourists in any season. The Rambla de la Libertad has numerous cafes, boutiques and gift shops. Until 1809, a city wall ran along the street, but it was destroyed by Napoleon's troops. On weekends, there is a flower market where a huge number of a wide variety of species are sold. From the street, you can turn into the Jewish quarter or walk to the bridges over the Onyar River.

Cathedral of Girona

The first Romanesque church on the site of the modern cathedral was erected in the 11th century. In the Roman era, there was a pagan sanctuary here. In the 14th century, a Gothic building appeared, which was completed only in the 16th century. As a result of later reconstructions, the cathedral acquired a Baroque façade. The inner courtyard of the church has been preserved since the 12th century; inside there are many ancient relics of great cultural value.

Church of Saint Philip

The temple was erected in the 14th century on the site of an early Romanesque church, where the graves of the patrons of the city, St. Philip and St. Narcissus, were located. In the 16th century, a tower was added to the building, and in the 17th century, work on the facade was completed. The interior has retained a stern Romanesque look with characteristic massive galleries. Roman and early Christian burials have also been preserved on the territory of the temple.

Monastery of Saint Peter Galligans

The monastery was founded in the XII century and first belonged to the brothers of the Order of St. Benedict. A Romanesque building with a two-story bell tower has survived to this day. In the XIV century, the complex went to the state. Since the 19th century, the abbey has housed a museum, now known as the Archaeological Museum of Girona. One of its most valuable exhibits is considered to be the antique mosaic Chariot Races and an ancient sarcophagus dating back to the 4th century.

Museum of Jewish History

The exposition of the museum is dedicated to the history and culture of the Jewish community, which has lived in Catalonia since the Early Middle Ages. The collection is housed in 11 thematic halls, which include "Diaspora", "Jewish Quarter", "Synagogue", "Cemetery" and others. In the museum you can learn about the life and way of life of Jews, traditions and religious rites. Periodically, temporary exhibitions are organized on the territory of the museum.

Cinema Museum

A private museum that owns a rather impressive exposition, consisting of 30 thousand items. The collection is devoted to the history of theater and cinema, from the period of Antiquity to the present day. The museum houses the Lumiere brothers' film projector, many old posters, photographs and films. The gallery was opened in 1998 and became the first museum of its kind in Spain.

Girona Art Museum

The museum is located in the building of the Bishop's Palace, which, according to evidence, was erected in the 10th century. The last restructuring of the building dates back to the 16th century, it was then that the features of the Renaissance era were introduced into the architectural appearance of the palace. The museum collection consists of 8.5 thousand exhibits. Here are stored historical artifacts belonging to the time period from the Roman era to the 20th century.

Arab baths

The baths are located in the central part of Girona; they were built in the 12th century during the reign of King Alfonso I. The construction was built in the style typical of the cities of North Africa. At first, the baths belonged to the royal family, but after the reconstruction of the 13th century, access was open to everyone. In the 15th century, the baths again passed into private ownership and were subsequently closed. Reconstruction was made in the XX century.

Gustave Eiffel Bridge

Pedestrian bridge across the Onyar River, designed by the famous G. Eiffel, the architect of the Parisian Eiffel Tower. The bridge at Girona was built in 1876, a design that was revolutionary for its time, as Eiffel used metal ties to increase strength. The Gustave Eiffel Bridge is a fairly compact structure that harmoniously fits into the surrounding landscape.

Parc de la Devesa

A small city park covering an area of ​​40 hectares, on the territory of which huge 150-year-old trees grow with a trunk height of up to 50 meters. It is good to be in the shade of these giants during the exhausting Catalan heat. The park has a botanical garden and a banana grove. For citizens and tourists, this place is a real green oasis, giving a long-awaited coolness.

Onyar River

A waterway that flows through the center of Girona. The embankment of the Onyar River is built up with houses with colored facades, which gives it a rather festive and elegant look. These facades have long become the hallmark of the city; many tourists come to see them. The houses were built in the 17th century on the site of the demolished city wall, since then they have been rebuilt several times, but still retained their original appearance.