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Girona Old Quarter (Barri Vell).
Surely, one of the best reasons for visiting Girona and better done on foot. It's seperated from the more modern part of Girona (Eixample) by the river Onyar. There's bundles to see here, marvel at the old buildings and soak in the generations of history. Dine in one of many eateries dotted around its numerous cobbled streets and narrow, ghostly alleyways which seem to disappear up into nowhere. It also has many fine shops on the Rambla and along nearby C/ Calderers. Most of Girona's museums are also found here.
Houses along the River Onyar (Cases de l'Onyar).
One of the best known views of Girona, the tall, narrow houses that back onto the river were painted in different colours 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 C. It's now one of the best preserved Jewish ghetto's in Europe. The narrow alleys give you a real sense of time standing still.
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. check their website below for more details.
http://www.ajuntament.gi/call/eng/index.php
Some Girona old town streets.
The Rambla.
Walk down C/ Nou and cross the Pont de Pedra (The stone bridge) and turn left into a wide tree-lined, pedestrianised avenue known as the Rambla de la Llibertat. Also just here you'll find the main Girona Tourist office and next to it are some public loos (behind the newspaper kiosk). The Rambla has a good mix of shops, bars and many cafes with outdoor seating. It's also popular in the evenings when the locals go for a stroll and meet each other. Every Saturday there's a flower market here until about 2pm, and Craft stalls along one side of the Stone Bridge, till late.
Tourist Office
Arab Baths (Banys Arabs). see our Girona museum page for a description.
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 it. 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.
n.b Early in 2007 some idiot in a four-wheel-drive vehicle tried to drive up the Cathedral steps and caused some damage.
Open 10am-7pm November to March, April to October 10am-8pm closed on 1st and 6th January. Price 5€ with audioguide, retired and students 3€, groups (min.10) with guide 2€.
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, Greek and Roman remains.
Pujada de Sant Domenec.
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. Near 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 Girona. During 2007 it was covered in scaffolding due to restoration work which is now complete.
St. Feliu church with
Girona cathedral in the background.
Girona Bridges.
Many bridges span the river Onyar from the new part of Girona (Eixample) to the old town (Barri Vell). The Pont de Ferro (pont is bridge in Catalan) was built by the French firm Eifel, who built the Eifel Tower in Paris. Cross the Pont d'en Gomez or Pont de Sant Agusti to reach Placa Independencia.
Pont de Ferro
Pont de Pedra (Stone
bridge)
This bridge (Pont de Sant
Feliu) takes you over to St. Feliu church.
The Wall walk (Passeig Muralla).
Much of Girona's city walls were demolished in the 19th C to make way for more expansion but this section was rebuilt. 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, some which let you climb higher up, and there are also exit points if you want to descend without reaching the end. When we did this walk for the first time we started at the wrong end and found ourselves steadily climbing upwards, and on a hot day to boot, with two young kids. Pop into the tourist office and pick up a free Girona map. The walk has some spectacular views of Girona in all directions and beyond to the distant mountains, make sure you have your camera. Free, open 8 am-10pm.
