Girona – the cathedral
the cathedral – Monument of Gothic architecture and landmarks of Girona – fascinates visitors to the city from afar. But Girona has much more to offer than the Gothic, at almost 23 meters wide, navethat has ever been built. We are in front of the church Sant Feliu On the banks of the Ri Onyar arranged to meet Joseph. He has lived in for many years Girona And today we don’t want to show us the museums and art monuments in his city, but the small corners and details that you otherwise overlook as a tourist.
Girona: cathedral and old town at a glance
- cathedral: Girona landmark with the widest Gothic nave in the world (almost 23 meters, without supports in the middle) and a baroque staircase with 90 steps
- Church of Sant Feliu: On the banks of Riu Onyar, starting point of this walk
- More about Girona: Girona: Love at first sight and Girona: Living city with history
He also knows many traditional history of his adopted home. right at the entrance to the old town – at the beginning of the Carrer Calderers – (English: Alley of the coppersmith) Where there used to be a city gate, there is a column with a lion “la leona“. Next to it metal steps. The lioness used to be on the facade of a hostal standing next to the city gate. Those who wanted to return to Girona climbed up and kissed them. In order to get as many as possible back to Girona, the lioness is still watching as a copy of the City The original from the 12th century is in the art museum. With the steps, the city fathers made it easier for everyone to kiss.You can’t be a real citizen of Girona without giving the lioness a kiss.“The bare butt polished butt of the lioness speaks for itself.
A little further along the alley you reach the entrance to the Museum of City History “Museu i Arxiu d’Història de la Ciutat“. The stairs to the right of the room was the former cistern of the city. The water levels can be seen on the walls. We then climb the steps to the cathedral. Many sights – e.g. Arabic baths, that Sant Pere de Galligants Monastery And other things – let’s leave today. But the cathedral is a must. The sound of the organ fulfills the gigantic nave. Frankincense surrounds us. The twelve o’clock fair is just over. Photograph not allowed. dali was fascinated by the painting of the Sant Narcis With Fly. He never missed an opportunity to visit it in the cathedral. The legend for the picture tells us Josep: “When the French besieged, robbed, robbed, destroyed and desecrated Girona in 1286, they cut off the arm of Saint Narcís – Bishop and Patron of Girona. Flies emerged and killed the French soldiers and their horses, and the same happened in 1653 and repeated in 1684.” Dalí’s fascination with “fly” also came from this. Next to the cathedral’s portal, there is a stone-hewn head that confuses Dalí – only the face of the stone is hundreds of years older than the master. knew dali his image? Did he twist his mustache after his model and rolled his eyes?
Another detail of the cathedral can be found on the side portal. The 12 apostles are missing here. They fell victim to the French in the past. Your empty pedestals are supported by monsters!
At a pillar of the cathedral is a gargoyle in the form of a woman. The legend says: A “witch” threw stones on a procession until it petrified itself face down in the cathedral’s wall. An old folk song takes up the story: “You throw stones and you will throw stones; so you will become stone.”
The old Jewish quarter. The “Call de Girona”
The old Jewish quarter is just a few steps away from the cathedral. the “call de Girona “Is the best preserved Jewish Quarter Catalonia and one of the most important Spain. the alleys Cúndaro and Sant Llorenç are the narrowest and steepest in the district around the Carrer Força. The Jewish community of Girona was the most numerous of Catalonia with 300 inhabitants, after Barcelona. The peaceful coexistence of religions ended in the second half of the 13th century, when anti-Semitic attacks occurred and in 1492 under pressure from the church led to the expulsion of the Jews from Spain.
Carrer dels Ciutadans
We continue to stroll to Carrer dels Ciutadans, once the preferred residence of the Girona bourgeoisie, where still magnificent mansions can still be found today: such as the Romanesque building of the Fontana d’Or, in which the Center Cultural de Caixa de Girona is located.
Here you will meet some shops from the old days just before the ajuntament. We especially liked the delicacy shop. The street ends in front of the square of the ajuntament. In the inner courtyard of the town hall, an idiosyncratic head crowns the mighty portal of the plenary hall. The man bites his tongue and warns the council members to be confidential. A tree grows out of his head: symbol of knowledge.
The Rambla de la Llibertat, is a boulevard for strolling and shopping. Between the Rambla and the Carrer dels Ciutadans, in the narrow tangle of alleys, we find the smallest place in the city: Plaça del Raïm.
Rafael Masó
Rafael Masó‚An important modernisme architect – has set his marks in the city of Girona. Magnificent examples: the residential buildings masó, Ensesa, Batll and Colomer, the flour factory Teixidor and the Casa de la Punxa in the Avinguda de Santa Eugènia.
The walk along the city walls in 1985 provides a perfect view over the roofs of the old town, the university and monumental church ensembles. Girona can be visited all year round: the city is particularly beautiful in the month of May, when the old town has become a tradition on the occasion of the flower exhibition, which has now become a tradition for 50 years.Girona Temps de Flors“Fills with a thousand scents and colors that street cafes are full of young people from all over Europe and life in the city pulsates late into the night. Not least thanks to the many students, Girona is now a lively center in the hinterland of Costa Brava. Successful example of the balance between old and new, tradition and modernity as well as nationalism and internationality.
If you land at the airport at Girona with Ryanair, you should definitely plan some time for a city walk through the old town of Girona.
Frequently asked questions about the Girona Cathedral
What is special about the Girona Cathedral?
It has the widest Gothic nave in the world. It measures around 23 meters and can do without supports in the middle.
How many steps does the staircase of the cathedral have?
The baroque staircase has 90 steps.
Where does the walk through Girona begin?
In our report in front of the church of Sant Feliu on the banks of the Riu Onyar.
Sources for the information in the box and in the questions: Girona Tour: Girona Guide, Barcelona Urabana: Girona, Hotel Carlemany: Old Town. Opening times and prices change, please check before visiting.
More on this: More about Girona: Girona: Love at first sight with Arab baths, Eiffel Bridge and Game of Thrones filming locations, Girona: Living city with history, Temps de Flors – Girona.
