Tuesday, December 21, 2010

A Tourists Guide to Girona's Old Quarter

Houses along the River Onyar.
One of the best known views of Girona, the houses that back onto the river were painted in different colors back in 1983 and many date back from medieval times.

Jewish Quarter (El Call).
The Jews lived in the Call (area) of Girona for over 600 years before they were forced out by the Spanish monarchy in the 15th Century. Centre Bonastruc ca Porta (Museum of History of the Jews) is a building rich with the history of Jews in Girona and has a collection of Hebrew tombstones from the Jewish cemetery in Girona (Bou d'Or). It also hosts different exhibitions throughout the year, and guided tours in English (June to September) which you can even book online.

The Rambla.
Walk down C/ Nou and cross the Pont de Pedra (The stone bridge) and turn left into a wide tree-lined, pedestrianized avenue known as the Rambla de la Libertat. Also just here you'll find the Girona Tourist office and next to it are some public toilets (behind the newspaper kiosk). The Rambla has a good mix of shops, bars and many cafe's with outdoor seating. It's also popular in the evenings when locals go for a stroll and meet each other. There's a flower market here every Saturday until about 2pm, and Craft stalls along one side of the Stone Bridge, which are open till late.

Arab Baths.
Built in the12th C. in a romanesque style with a hot room, steam room a large cold bath area with a rustic cylindrical vault and a central Cupola supported by graceful columns. Restored and re-opened in 1929 the five rooms that can be visited are: Apoditeri (changing rooms), Frigidari (cold room), Tepidari (tibia room), Caldari (hot room), and the Forn (oven and boiler).

Girona Cathedral (La Catedral).
Looming over Girona is its impressive and most important building that has existed since the 11th C. and seen many different architectural styles added to. The baroque Cathedral, its facade and stairway of 90 steps and 3 landings. Inside, its huge nave is second in length only to the Vatican's St Peters, and you'll also find the museum and cloisters here.

Also on display is the Tapestry of Creation (11th C), the Beatus a 10th C. manuscript and a rich collection of medieval gold and silver work. Its bell tower is known as the Charlemagne Tower. (11th C.) If climbing up the steps proves too much, there's a couple of conveniently placed cafes at the base of the steps.

Monastery of Sant Pere de Galligants.
A former Benedictine abbey founded in the 11th and 12th Century now the home of the Archeological Museum containing an important collection of prehistoric Iberian, Geek and Roman remains.

Sant Domenec.
This former Convent dates from the 14th and 16th C and is now the Girona University Faculty of Arts.

Church of Sant Nicolau.
Dating from the 12th C. with an octagonal dome and Paleo-Christian remains displayed below.

St Feliu Church.
Next to the Cathedral this church dates from the 14th -17th C. and houses the relics of St. Felix and St. Narcis the patron saint of the city

Bridges.
Many bridges span the river Onyar from the new part of Girona (Eixample) to the old town (Barri Vell). The Pont de les Peixeteries (pont is bridge in Catalan) was built by the French firm Eifel, who built the Eifel Tower in Paris.

The Wall walk.
Make sure you start at the right end, which is near the Church of St Feliu (Ex-Col-legiata de St Feliu). You can stop along the way at numerous vantage points and there are also exit points if you want to descend without reaching the end. When we did this walk we started at the wrong end and found ourselves steadily climbing upwards, and on a hot day. Spectacular views of Girona in all directions and beyond to the mountains, make sure you have your camera!

No comments:

Post a Comment