Gerona or Girona - so the Catalans pronounce, Girona - the Spaniards say. These are all variants of pronunciation of the name of the capital of northern Catalonia - a beautiful ancient city in the richest province of Spain.
Scenic spots of Girona
The exact date of the founding of the ancient settlement of Gerunda, where Girona grew up, is not known. The history of the city is very rich in military events, Girona withstood and withstood 25 significant sieges and attacks of the enemy. Impressive in thickness, dotted with potholes from cannonballs and siege weapons, the city walls are its calling card. You can take a leisurely stroll along these walls and see almost the entire old part of Girona - Warri Vel.
The embankment of the Onyar River is incredibly picturesque; it is decorated with multi-colored and variegated old houses stuck to each other, the facades of which look directly into the water. The main historical attraction of Girona is the majestic Cathedral, built in the Gothic style in the XI-XVII centuries. Its incredible nave (the largest in the world) measures a whopping 22 meters in diameter. Within the walls of the cathedral is the "Museum of Medieval Art", which is famous for its rich collection.
Among the splendid ancient buildings of the Episcopal Palace, you will find the Art Museum of Girona with a collection of religious art. From here you can climb to another gem of the city - the Church of Santa Feliu and its famous tower, which was struck and literally decapitated by lightning in the 16th century. The tower was not restored, but the "Arab Baths" of the 12th-13th centuries are in excellent working order. They are also located in the historic center of Girona.
Museums and other places of interest in Girona
The Cinema Museum of Girona is considered the best in Spain. Inside the premises, visitors are expected not to simply push among the exhibits, but to experience a multi-level and interactive journey among objects that can be touched. There are also a lot of small cinemas that constantly show historical footage about the formation of the film industry. At the exit from the museum, a cozy shop with various cinema-related souvenirs awaits you.
If you walk just a few steps from the "Museum of Cinema", you can find yourself on the territory of the Cathedral of the Virgin Mary of Girona. This building was built for several centuries, repeatedly changing its styles. Now this cathedral is an incredible mixture of Romanesque architecture, Gothic, Baroque and the research of Spanish masters.
But even this picturesqueness and originality of buildings attracts visitors to the cathedral, everyone is attracted by the “stone witch of the cathedral” - a gargoyle in human form. Many legends and myths are associated with this sculpture, which the locals will gladly tell you.
