Discover Girona

The Mediterranean city of Girona is located in the north of Spain and is a city and municipality in the autonomous region of Catalonia. It is approximately 35 kilometers from Van der Valk hotel Barcarola. It is also the capital of the province of Girona. The city is crossed by the rivers Ter and Onyar and is definitely worth a visit for any culture lover! Read on for more information about Girona and to find out what you can do there.

History

Girona has a very rich history. They have been besieged no less than 25 times and conquered 7 times! It was already inhabited by Iberian peoples before Roman times. During the Roman period, a citadel was built, named Gerunda. Eventually, the Roman Empire was invaded from all sides by the Visigoths, including Girona. The Visigoths, also known as the "brave Goths," were an important (Eastern) Germanic people during and shortly after the Roman Empire. This people was eventually defeated as well, this time by the Moors. In 785, Charlemagne conquered the city and made it one of the fourteen Catalan counties. Under the leadership of King Alfonso I, the city received official city rights in the 11th century. The 12th century was particularly important because the Jewish community flourished enormously. Girona also housed one of the most important Kabbalistic schools in Europe. The Rabbi of the city was appointed as the Great Rabbi of Catalonia. However, this ended in 1492 when all Jews were driven out of the country by the Catholic kings. The Jewish quarter "El Call" is still visited by many tourists. It is, in any case, one of the most beautiful in Europe.

Sights

The Cathedral of Santa Maria
The imposing yet austere cathedral of Girona is located in the old district "Barri Vell". Due to its elevated position, it stands out far above everything else. The structure is so large that it took several centuries before it was finally declared complete. The predominantly Gothic architectural style makes it an extremely overwhelming building. The cathedral also houses a museum with valuable pieces such as jewelry from the thirteenth to fifteenth century.

The Call
El Call is a Jewish quarter on the right bank of the Onyar River. The neighborhood is characterized by stairs that lead you to atmospheric squares, narrow alleys, and is filled with characterful houses. The gem of the district is the beautiful Agullana Palace, one of the finest examples of Baroque architecture. There is also the Jewish Museum, where the medieval Jewish culture of Catalonia is central.

Archaeological Walk/Path
Do you want to take a nice characteristic walk? Then you should definitely choose the path of Passeig Arqueològic. The path leads you along the ancient city walls, and in the meantime, you come across places like the Jardins dels Alemanys and climb the stairs of Torre de Sant Domenec. Of course, you will pass by stunning views along the way.

Portal of Overhangs
The Portal de Sobreportes is an ancient Roman gateway that once provided access to the city of Gerunda. The towers of the gate served as watchtowers for the defense of the city. Although they are now round, they used to be square. When you walk under the gate, you arrive at the famous "Plaça de la Catedral" square. The gate once partly belonged to the wealthy Sobreportes family, and thus it owes its name to them.

The Arab Baths
There are several Arab baths to be found in Girona. Although they were only built later in the 12th century, they keep the memory of the city's Moorish past alive. The Frigidarium (cold water baths), the Apodyterium (changing room), and Caldarium (hot water baths) are Latin terms used in Roman baths. It is therefore a mixture of two styles. Roman baths with an Arabic touch because, although there are also various elements of Muslim origin to be found, the building was originally built in Western Romanesque style.

Museums

Saint Peter of Galligants
The Sant Pere de Galligants is the archaeological museum of Girona and is housed in the former monastery of the same name. It has a typical Catalan Romanesque appearance and is believed to have been built in the 12th century. In the museum, you will find several excavations and artifacts that provide a good picture of the period from the first humans to the Roman era.

Girona History Museum
Girona History Museum is, as the name suggests, a museum about the long history of the city of Girona. It goes all the way back to prehistory and continues to the present. This museum is also housed in an old monastery, although it was only built in 1762 by Capuchin monks.

Shopping

The Rambla of Freedom
This is one of the busiest places in the city. It is centrally located and features many shops, bars, terraces, and dining options. Even in the Middle Ages, this area was used as a market. This is reflected in the characteristic arcades and numerous old style elements. The centuries-old importance and use of this shopping area are also evident in the shops and buildings.

Market of the Banks of the Ter
On the banks of the River Ter, there is a large market every Tuesday and Saturday morning. In the two hundred stalls, items such as vegetables, fruit, clothing, perfume, jewelry, and other merchandise are sold. A pleasant market in a beautiful setting!

As you can see, Girona is a piece of Spanish history that is more than worth the effort and attention. Are you planning to visit Girona? Book then a stay at the Van der Valk Hotel Barcarola!