Girona: visit the amazing historic city of the Costa Brava

Girona, a lot more than a town with a large airport

The town of Girona, not to be confused with the province of Girona bearing the same name and with Girona as its capital, is also called Girona in Catalan. The town of Girona also belongs to the autonomous region of Catalonia and has around 100,000 inhabitants. The town of Girona is located about 100 kilometres north of Barcelona and is crossed by the rivers Ter and Onyar. Girona has its own university and a big airport which serves holiday destinations on the Costa Brava. Girona is located between the Costa Brava and the foothills of the Pyrenees, and combines the allure of a large town with the familiarity of a small provincial village.

Look for your villa near Girona here

Girona and its eventful history: from one siege to another

Girona and its surroundings were already populated by Iberian people well before the Roman era. Girona owes its name to the Roman citadel of Gerunda. Like many other regions of Spain, Girona was attacked 25 times and conquered 7 times. After the Romans came the Visigoths and the Moors successively until Charlemagne conquered the town in 785 and made it one of his 14 Catalan counties. During the following centuries, the town of Girona was granted the status of a city in the Kingdom of Aragon. In the 12th and 13th centuries, Girona was well known for its prosperous Jewish community, which founded one of the most important Kabbalistic schools in Europe. When the Spanish Inquisition was established in 1492, it put an end to the Judaic era, but even today the well-preserved Jewish quarter attracts thousands of tourists every year. In the 17th century, Girona was occupied by the French royal army, and in 1809 the town was attacked by Napoleon’s troops. In the 19th century, ramparts were built around the town. Henceforth Girona found peace and was able to grow. In recent years, the fortified wall has been restored and partially rebuilt. Today you can walk along the wall in its original state.

Girona and its interesting places are worth visiting.

Girona has a magnificent historic centre with its narrow streets and interior courtyards where it is pleasant to go for a walk. In the centre, you will find many shopping streets and interesting places, but also some good restaurants and terraces. The historic part of the town of Girona is located on a steep hill called the Hill of the Capuchins, whilst the rest of the town is rather flat.
– Part of the wall which protected the town from attacks is well preserved. A walk along the ramparts or on the Passeig de Muralla will enable you to go back in time to the different periods of occupation which Girona had to endure.
– One of the most beautiful squares in Girona is without doubt the Plaza de la Independencia, an animated square with friendly restaurants with terraces.

The town of Girona has great cultural wealth.

– Girona is well known for its houses overlooking the River Onyar and the bridges over the river. Its colourful houses are particularly visible when you go under one of these bridges.

– Most of the narrow streets of Girona lead to the great cathedral of Girona. The Mallorcan Jaume Fabre started building the current cathedral in 1312 on the ruins of the original church, which was used as a mosque by the Moors. The gold and silver altar dates back to the 14th century and reflects the life of Jesus and Mary, a gothic work of art by Spanish goldsmiths of that period. The current cathedral is a perfect example of Spanish Gothic architecture.

– Some other beautiful churches in Girona are the Iglesia Sant Feliu, a 14th century Gothic church built on 4th century catacombs, and the Roman Church of Sante Pere de Galligants which today houses the provincial archaeological museum.

– Next to the cathedral you will find the 12th and 13th century Arab baths complex. In the 16th century these baths were used as laundries by the nuns. Restoration work was begun in 1929 when these Arab baths were put on the list of monuments.

– Not far from the cathedral, there is a magnificent green valley, the Vall de Sant Daniel. Many writers and poets have found their inspiration here. Come and relax and enjoy nature and its pleasant little shaded corners.

– When you cross the Stone Bridge on the Onyar, you will see the Rambla de la Llibertat on your left. It is pleasant to go shopping in this street along the river. There are often street shows and processions, too. This Rambla leads you directly to the Jewish quarter.
– The Call Jueu Jewish quarter is the best-preserved Jewish quarter in Spain, and it reflects the atmosphere of the Sephardic community which lived there for more than 600 years. In the 13th century, more than 7% of the population of Girona was Jewish, and they founded the first Kabbalistic school in Spain. The Calle de la Forçis a series of narrow streets, stairways, green areas and hidden patios. For several centuries, this part of the town was forbidden to non-Jews. The small shops have not changed at all and look as if time stopped here.

Girona for all those who love museums.

– The town’s Museo d’Historia gives a good overview of the history of Girona throughout the years.
– The Museo d’Arqueologia de Catalunya Girona is a provincial museum inside a Roman monastery. This museum is in the Barri Vell district and attracts many tourists of all ages.
– The Museu d’Art displays 8,500 works from the Pre-Roman period until today. It is interesting to know that all these works of art were created in the province of Girona.
– The Museum of Jewish History will take you back in time and teach you everything about the history of the Jewish community from mediaeval times until their eviction by the Spanish Inquisition in 1492.
– The Cathedral Museum displays the cathedral’s gems.
– The Museum of cinema

Girona and its airport, the starting point for your holidays on the Costa Brava

12 kilometres south of the town of Girona, you will find GironaInternational Airport. Low-cost airline companies like Ryanair bring a great many tourists here on their way to holiday destinations on the Costa Brava, only 20 minutes from Girona Airport. Thanks to its central location and direct connections by car, bus and train, this airport is also an ideal starting point for visiting Barcelona, the Pyrenees and Andorra. Girona also has its own railway station with connections to Saragossa, Barcelona and other towns in Catalonia.

Shopping in Girona

When you go shopping in Girona, let yourself be tempted by regional natural products like anchovies from L’Escala, wine from l’Empordà Brava, honey from the local region, local cold meats, cheese, meat, duck, goose and game, but also La Bisbal ceramics, fruits of the forest, Comprodon biscuits and leather and leather products from the region.

Delicious Girona cuisine

The delicious regional produceand great local chefs make it easy to eat well in Girona. You will find a great variety of specialities with produce from the mountains and sea. Typical of the region are bold mixes such as mountain-bred chicken and sea-lobster, or meatballs with cuttlefish and peas.

Come and taste some delicious prawns in one of the best restaurants in Girona

Other delicacies are seafood from the Costa Brava, prawns and large red shrimp from Palamos, river trout, potato-based dishes, all sorts of grilled mushrooms and a wide selection of dairy products like goat’s cheese, sheep’s cheese and fresh yogurt. Some good restaurants in the centre of Girona are l’El de Can Roca with its creative Mediterranean cuisine, Mar Plaça with its traditional cuisine, Massana with its traditional Catalan cuisine, Pati El and its creative seasonal cooking and Galligans with its traditional Catalan cooking and delicious tapas. Girona may not be on the coast, but it is a beautiful town which is worth visiting or even staying in during your holidays. For this reason, Search for and book the villa of your dreams.