The Mediterranean city of Gerona is located in the north of Spain in the Catalonia region. Due to its location slightly further from the coast, the city enjoys pleasant temperatures. The old part of the city ‘Barri Vell’ has the most valuable sights to offer. Here you will find the beautiful square Plaça de la Independència, the cathedral of Gerona, old city walls and some original Arab baths. In the history museum you will learn everything about the long and fascinating history of the city and the story behind the building in which this museum is located. On the quay of the river Onyar, a group of small and sometimes stately buildings can be found that emphasize the atmosphere of the city.
Top 10 sights of Girona
#1. Girona Cathedral
According to themakeupexplorer, La Catedral de Santa Maria is very important for the city of Girona. Due to its higher location, it towers high above everything. The very large construction took several centuries to finally be declared complete in the eighteenth century. The predominantly Gothic architectural style is what makes the building so imposing. The baroque facade is characterized by the images that are incorporated in it. The cathedral has its own museum with some valuable pieces such as a chest from the tenth century and jewelry from the thirteenth to the fifteenth century.
#2. Museu d’Història de Girona
In the history museum of Gerona ‘Museu d’Història de Girona’ much can be found about the long history of the city. It goes all the way back to prehistoric times to the present. The museum is located in an old monastery that was built in 1762 by Capuchin monks.
#3. Sant Pere de Galligants
The archaeological museum of Gerona (MAC) is located in the former monastery ‘Sant Pere de Galligants’. The monastery, which is believed to have been built as early as the twelfth century, has a typical Catalan Romanesque appearance. Partly thanks to a number of excavations and found objects, an impressive picture has been painted about the period from the first people to the Roman era.
#4. Baños Árabes
Although built later in the twelfth century, Girona’s Arab baths keep the city’s Moorish past alive. There are several areas, including a frigidarium as a cold room, the apodyterium as a dressing room and a caldarium where the hot baths were located. These Latin names were used in Roman baths. Exactly what these bathhouses say. Roman baths in an Arabic jacket.
#5. El Call
The Jewish quarter of Gerona is located on the right bank of the river Onyar. The area is characterized by narrow alleys, houses full of character and stairs that lead you to atmospheric squares. The beautiful former Agullana palace is seen as the most beautiful part of the district. It was built between the fourteenth and the seventeenth century. In the streets Carrer de la Força and Carrer dels Ciutadans you can admire beautiful houses that make this district very worthwhile. The Jewish Museum focuses on the medieval Jewish communities of Catalonia.
#6. Portal de Sobreportes
In the past, this ancient Roman gateway provided access to the city of Gerunda. Once you pass underneath you will arrive at the famous square ‘Plaça de la Catedral’. The towers on the Portal de Sobreportes served as defense towers. Where the towers are round today, they were originally square. The name Sobreportes can be traced back to the wealthy Sobreportes family to whom this once belonged.
#7. Passeig Arqueològic
If you are looking for a beautiful characteristic walk through Girona, you should definitely choose the path of Passeig Arqueològic. The walk goes along the old city walls and occasionally allows you to enjoy particularly beautiful views. Meanwhile, you’ll get to places like the Jardins dels Alemanys and climb the steps of Torre de Sant Domenec for another nice view.
#8. La Rambla de la Libertad
On the right bank and parallel to the river Onyar is the nicest and cosiest shopping street in Gerona. La Rambla de la Libertad has nice little boutiques, cozy terraces and pleasant shady spots in the summer. Other nice streets for shopping are Cort Reial, Plaza Catalunya, Carrer de Santa Clara, Ronda Sant Antoni Maria Claret and Carrer d’Emili Grahit.
#9. Mercado de las Ribes del Ter
Every Tuesday and Saturday morning there is a large market in the ‘Piscina Municipal de La Devesa’ on the banks of the river Ter of Gerona. More than two hundred stalls try to sell their merchandise at this ‘Mercado de las Ribes del Ter’. In addition to fruit and vegetables, goods such as clothing, jewelry, perfume and other merchandise are also offered. It is above all a pleasant market in a beautiful setting.
#10. Salvador Dalí
The versatile Spanish artist Salvador Dalí was born in 1904 in Figueres, not far from Gerona. The most beautiful museum of this master of art is located in Figueres. Salvador Dalí is best known for his surrealist artwork. His masterpieces can be seen in the Dalí Museum in Figueres, but also in museums such as the Guggenheim, Museum of Modern Art in New York and Tate Modern in London.
