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    Tourist Attractions in Girona

    The most interesting and beautiful tourist attractions in Girona. Photos and a brief description.

    Girona
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    About Girona

    Catalan Girona is a city where Romanesque buildings of the X–XII centuries still stand, and valuable artifacts of the Roman period and the dark times of the Early Middle Ages are kept in museums. The power of the past centuries seems to have frozen forever in the facades of the houses of the Jewish Quarter and the outlines of the formidable Romanesque temples.

    Girona is located at a distance from the coveted beaches of the Costa Brava, but this does not make the city lose its value. Many tourists come here on excursions from the resort towns of the coast to diversify a lazy beach holiday, and remain satisfied. In addition to the grandiose architectural attractions, there are several worthwhile museums in Girona, where priceless exhibits of great interest to history lovers are stored.

    Top Tourist Attractions in Girona

    Fortress walls

    The fortress walls of Girona were built in the I 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 has survived to this day, which has been restored. There are panoramic views of the city from the observation decks located around the perimeter. Nowadays, the fortress walls are a popular tourist attraction.

    Fortress walls
    Girona Lioness

    Girona Lioness

    A sculpture of the XI century, installed next to the church of San Feliu. The figure of the lioness somewhat resembles 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 a heraldic symbol of Girona, and kissing in an unusual place is just a humorous custom.

    Jewish Quarter

    Jews began to settle in Girona from the IX century. Their community was very powerful before the wave of persecution that swept Europe in the XV century. In place of the expelled Jews came poor Christian families who were not engaged in the arrangement of the houses of the quarter. That is why the area has reached us almost in its original form. Nowadays, El Kal has turned into a bohemian quarter where real estate costs a lot of money.

    Jewish Quarter
    Independence Square

    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 was formed in the XIX century. The square is surrounded by strict facades of neoclassical buildings and sculptural colonnades. Mass social events, festive bazaars and music festivals are held here. There are many restaurants and bars with outdoor summer playgrounds on Independence Square.

    Rambla de la Libertad

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

    Rambla de la Libertad
    Cathedral of Girona

    Cathedral of Girona

    The first Romanesque church on the site of the modern cathedral was erected in the XI century. In the Roman era, there was a pagan sanctuary here. In the XIV century, a Gothic building appeared, which was completed only in the XVI century. As a result of later reconstructions, the cathedral acquired a Baroque facade. The courtyard of the church has been preserved since the XII century, inside there are many ancient relics of great cultural value.

    St. Philip 's Church

    The temple was erected in the XIV century on the site of an early Romanesque church, where the graves of the city's patrons – St. Philip and St. Narcissus - were located. In the XVI century a tower was added to the building, in the XVII century the facade finishing works were completed. The interior has retained a severe Romanesque appearance with characteristic massive galleries. Roman and early Christian burials have also been preserved on the territory of the temple.

    St. Philip 's Church
    Monastery of St. Peter Galligans

    Monastery of St. Peter Galligans

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

    Museum of Jewish History

    The museum's exposition is dedicated to the history and culture of the Jewish community, which has lived on the territory of 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 life of Jews, traditions and religious rituals. Temporary exhibitions are organized periodically on the territory of the museum.

    Museum of Jewish History
    Cinema Museum

    Cinema Museum

    A private museum that owns a fairly impressive exposition consisting of 30 thousand items. The collection is dedicated to the history of theater and cinema, from the period of Antiquity to the present day. The museum houses a Lumiere brothers movie projector, a lot of old posters, photographs and films. The gallery was opened in 1998, it became the first museum of this kind in Spain.

    Girona Museum of Art

    The museum is located in the building of the Bishop's Palace, which, according to the evidence, was erected in the X century. The last reconstruction of the building dates back to the XVI century, it was then that Renaissance features were introduced into the architectural appearance of the palace. The museum collection consists of 8.5 thousand exhibits. Historical artifacts belonging to the time period from the Romanesque era to the XX century are stored here.

    Girona Museum of Art
    Arab baths

    Arab baths

    The baths are located in the central part of Girona, they were built in the XII century during the reign of King Alfonso I. The structure is built in a style typical of the cities of North Africa. At first, the baths belonged to the royal family, but after the reconstruction of the XIII century, access was open to everyone. In the XV century, the baths again passed into private ownership and were subsequently closed. In the XX century, reconstruction was carried out.

    Gustave Eiffel Bridge

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

    Gustave Eiffel Bridge
    Parc de la Deesa

    Parc de la Deesa

    A small urban 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 sweltering Catalan heat. There is a botanical garden and a banana grove in the park. For citizens and tourists, this place is a real green oasis, giving a long-awaited coolness.

    Onyar River

    A waterway flowing 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 been the hallmark of the city, many tourists come to see them. The houses were built in the XVII century on the site of the demolished city wall, since then they have been rebuilt several times, but still retained their original appearance.

    Onyar River