Girona, a city of beautiful architecture
More than 2000 years old, Girona combines the richness of the mountains with the sea, art and history. Walking through its stone streets, tasting its gastronomy or enjoying a beautiful sunset is to enjoy. So we tell you the key places to visit.
The Força Vella
It is the original construction area erected in the century BC as a Roman fortress called Segunda. It was a connection between Hispania and Roman Gaul, for its impenetrable wall and its Port of Aguadulce. In this historic center we find canvases of the first wall, the Roman wall; the Museum of History of Girona; the Caixaforum, prestigious art gallery; and the Archaeology Museum with mosaics and canvases as old as the Força Vella.
The Medieval Eixample
Girona was growing, which led to the construction of a new wall, the Ensanche Medieval, which would replace the function of the original wall and provide security to the new neighborhoods, leaving the city on the edge of the rivers. It sounds of the two walls that surrounded the current territory of this city. The Carolingian one stands out for its easy access from the gardens and for its greater extension compared to the first one. In this area we can find the medieval neighborhoods of Mercadal, Erein, Vilanova, Sant Pere and Sant Feliu.
Basilica of Sant Feliu
Home to the Cathedral until the 10th century, the Romanesque and Baroque art styles on its facade are complemented by a beautiful bridge over the Onyar River, which is illuminated at night. Sant Feliu holds a spectacular collection, in which the ‘Cristo Yacente’ and the carvings of the eight pagan and paleochristian sarcophagi stand out.
House of the Home
Built around several rivers, such is the case of the Onyar River Valley, which crosses the city with its peaceful waters, nourishing the valley’s deep green vegetation.
10 Must-see places to visit in Girona
The Plaza del Vi, Girona’s meeting place par excellence
Girona is a Spanish city with an ancient historical and architectural richness. Stone houses parade colorfully along its waters, with the Isangel cathedral as a postcard-worthy backdrop. The Arab influence in the 12th century has left in the city five Arab baths built imitating structures of this style. These public baths were generally accessible and were intended for therapeutic uses, as well as having an architectural beauty and undoubted historical richness.
The gardens, houses and the Girondin Pyrenees offer a beautiful landscape. The French gardens, the Mainz house and the Devesa garden park are examples of this. In the Pyrénées Girondins there are natural spaces full of magic, such as forests with pine trees, streams, lakes, snow-capped peaks, and wildlife. Also, you can find medieval villages such as Camprodon de Salud and Libia.
The Walls of Girona
Today, the remains of the ancient walls serve to remind us of the history of Girona and Spain. The main route is along the 11th century Carolingian walls. There are guided tours that explain in greater depth the constructions, the history, as well as the privileged views they offer. These walls are an unmissable attraction from a historical point of view.
The Jewish Quarter
Also known as El Call, the Jewish Quarter is characterized by its narrow stone streets, stairways, internal courtyards and large wooden doors. The mysterious atmosphere of its landscapes, as well as the stone inscriptions, incites to discover its secrets. The neighborhood also has the Museum of History, and the birthplace of Rafael Masó, the architect who gave Girona most of its current structure.
Girona Cathedral
The highlight of the city, the ecliptic cathedral, dates from the 11th and 13th centuries. Its walls boast different styles of construction, ranging from Romanesque in the tower and cloister, Gothic in the large central nave, to Baroque in the façade and staircase. The cathedral has the Treasury Museum, which contains gold and silver work, paintings, Gothic sculptures, codices, and the famous largest vault in the world.
Girona is a city with much to offer from a historical and architectural point of view. Its landscapes, walls, the Jewish quarter and the cathedral are some of the attractions that cannot be missed during a stay in this beautiful Spanish city.
La Plaça de la Creació, the Plaça del Vi
It is the meeting place par excellence of the city of Girona. In it stand imposing buildings such as the Palace of the General, seat of the Generalitat de Girona between the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, the City Hall and the Municipal Theater. This square is also the place where the great events of the city are celebrated, such as festivals, dances and typical music of the region. So check its agenda and enjoy its shows during your visit.
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- Palace of the General: headquarters of the Generalitat de Girona between the XVI and XVII centuries
- City Hall
- Municipal Theater
- Major events: festivals, dances and typical music of the region
