girona (gerona)

The ancient and beautiful city of Girona, Spain, located about 60 miles north of Barcelona, has a combination of all the elements necessary to make the perfect leisure retreat. It mountainous region of Girona contain the Alpine ski areas of Vallter, in Setcases, or Nuria, whilst the city hosts a variety of cultural modern and traditional activities and one could hardly find a better base than Girona for exploring the spectacular coastline along the Costa Brava. This fully catered area offers tourist-friendly Mediterranean towns, coastline villages, upscale health resorts, beautiful golf courses, and even high altitude skiing.

Visitors should not miss the opportunity to visit one of the many attractions such as The valley of Sant Daniel; a great natural reserve that has been praised by poets and painted by artists, also in the valley is the Monastery of Sant Daniel, or visit the Convent of Sant Domènec; this single-nave church which was one of the first Gothic buildings constructed in Catalunya, another is The Palace of the Agullana Family; one of the most relevant baroque areas of the ancient quarter, the arch is one of the foremost features of the city often depicted in paintings, iconography and photographs, not forgetting the Rambla de la Llibertat; containing characteristic porches and various items of architectural interest in the interior of shops and business premises which are testimony of continuous use of this area throughout the ages.

Girona is no acceptation when it comes to religious building either. The Cathedral is the result of various superimposed styles. The interior contains numerous works of art such as the reredos and silver altar canopy Gothic tombs and baroque altar paintings. The renowned Tapestry of the Creation, the Beatus, and a rich collection of medieval gold and silver works are exhibited in the Capitular Museum.

Steeped in culture, one can not avoid appreciating the magnificence of the houses located at the very edge of the river. They are no doubt one of the most authentic and spectacular sights of Girona. These buildings were attached to the walls which enclosed the ancient quarter and the borough of the Mercadal. The towers protecting both sides of the bridges also succumbed to modern times and were converted into dwellings.

The Arabian Baths are located in a Romanesque building inspired by the Roman thermal or public baths. The most outstanding of the three rooms, each with a different temperature of the water, is the cold water room.

The Archeological Museum which was originally the Monastery of Sant Pere de Galligants contains an important collection of prehistoric objects together with others from Greek and Roman periods, as well as a unique collection of Hebrew tombstones.

Today, the people of Girona are demonstrably proud of their archeological treasures and vibrant culture and eagerly share its riches with scholars and tourists alike.

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