Spain, attractions. Girona: photos and reviews of the sights of the city

The historical region of Spain, located in the northeast of the Iberian Peninsula, between the Mediterranean and the Pyrenees, is officially called the autonomous region of Catalonia. In addition to the famous Barcelona, Girona also belongs to the famous cities, which is the center of the Gomonas (local area of government). In Catalonia, there is also the province of Girona. Spain, being a unitary state, has 17 autonomies, which, in turn, are divided into 50 provinces.

History of Girona

The old countries of Europe attract travelers from all over the world. Every street, every house on this continent is a monument. The country behind the Pyrenees, where Columbus and Magellan departed on their voyages, is especially loved by tourists. There are dozens of routes called "Spain. Sights". Girona is not in the last place. It is the city with the highest standard of living in Spain. Catalonia is a prosperous region, so there are so strong separatist sentiments. Girona was always rich and was the residence of the Aragonese kings. Since 1351, the eldest son of the king was given the title of "Prince of Girona" - the official pretender to the throne. Situated close to the French border, the city several times passed under the jurisdiction of France.

Border communities always absorb the culture of the two countries and thus become even more attractive for guests. Very common in the world of tours "Spain. Sights". Girona, being one of the oldest cities in Europe, is a desirable object for visiting.

Ancient fortified area

This city was founded by the Iberians, a tribe who lived in Spain from the III millennium BC (the official date of the founding of the city is 79 BC). With the arrival of the Romans, who managed to evaluate a militarily advantageous place, a fortified fortified fortress was built here, and then a fortress castle, which was called Gerunda, was built. It was intended to protect Via Augusta - the main 1,500 km of the road of the Iberian Peninsula, connecting in those early days Rome and Seville. And today in the old city there is a small dark street - the remains of that famous tract. For the entire history of its existence, Girona withstood 25 sieges (only 7 times it was taken), the heaviest of which was a seven-month encirclement by Napoleonic troops in 1809. After the collapse of the Roman Empire, the city fell under the rule of the Arabs for centuries. And this, too, could not but affect the architecture and general culture of the province. In the city there is a unique object - Arab baths, which has no relation to Arabs, since it was built in 1129. It is the only complex of its kind in the entire Iberian Peninsula. This tourist site is included in all the prospectuses of tours "Spain, sights". Girona carefully protects its historical monuments.

Legend associated with the name

In 1015, the city, as a result of the final expulsion of the Arabs, departs to the duchy of Barcelona. The current Girona is so beautiful and unique that it has several names. Here are some of them: the city of thousands of sieges and thousands of legends, the last bridge to Africa, the first boulevard of Europe. One of the legends of the origin of the name is interesting. It tells how the three-headed monster Jerio, who lives in the river Onyar, was flushed with a passion for the beautiful Pyrene. A lucky opponent to him was himself Hercules (according to some myths, the founder of Spain). The girl ran away from the monster and hid in the forest, which the frenzied monster set fire to. The hero killed Jerio, buried his beloved, pouring stones on the grave, called the Pyrenees. And the sons of the monster were built on the site of the tragedy, on the bank of the river. Onyar, a triangular fortress, naming it in honor of the father of the Gironde.

History of the Jewish community

One of the pearls of the city is its old part. The best preserved quarter of the Jewish community, which appeared in the city in 890 and banished from it in 600 years by the famous anti-Semites Ferdinand and Isabella. This is one of the tragic pages of the history of Spain. Now the quarter is called El-kal (El Call) Alikhama. The richest community in Spain contributed to the rapid flourishing of the city itself. The Jewish Quarter is a monument of medieval architecture. This object is also recommended for mandatory visits in all the guidebooks called "Spain. Sights". Girona honors the memory of the exiled and killed - there is a very interesting museum of the history of the Jewish community.

Color scheme of the center

One of the most picturesque areas of the city is located on the banks of the river Onyar. It is called the Rambla de la Libertad and is the busiest place of Girona. Once in this area there was a sales area, and now there are many shops, cafes and restaurants. On the site of the city wall, demolished by the French during the 7-month siege, after the defeat of Napoleon, houses were built in the style of architecture of that time and painted them in various colors of delicate shades. The open-air museum - this name corresponds completely to the city of Girona (Spain). Sights (photos of each of them in dozens of copies in different angles can be seen in various booklets and albums) are amazing with their beauty and unusualness.

Capital of cultural tourism

Catalonia is not only the richest province of Spain, but also one of those regions of Europe where cultural tourism is developed. Here were born such masters of the brush as Dali, Tapries and Miro. In the city there are wonderful museums - arts, cinema, archeology, the history of the city, the Jewish community. Works in the city and the exhibition complex Palau Firal, where there are exhibitions, fairs and competitions. It is located in the famous Park Parc, where there is also the Auditori Concert Hall and Palau de Congressos Palace. The latter are known for the fact that the most significant cultural and musical events of the autonomy and of Spain in general take place within their walls.

Revenues from tourism

The city has another park, the largest one in Catalonia - the Devesa park, as well as the Roman wall. I would like to say that books have been written about every object in the economic capital, and a page takes a simple list of them. The city of Girona (Spain), whose sights see thousands and thousands of travelers, take tourism very seriously. After all, this is an industry that brings substantial income to the province's budget.

City of students

In the eastern part of the city, next to the Cathedral, is the monastery of San Domenech. It was built in 1253. This is one of the first buildings in Catalonia, built in the Gothic style and preserved to this day. Moreover, it is still used today. Within its walls now housed the University of Girona. After 1823, the monastery was not used for its intended purpose. It employs about 1500 professors, the number of students - over 11 000 people. Girona is considered a student city. In the autonomy is located most prestigious universities in the country.

Other attractions

To the sights belong the ancient northern gate of San Cristofol, preserved in good condition to our days. The legendary fortress wall, as it should be, skirted the whole old city. It is interspersed with towers, of which the highest is the tower of Torre-Gironella, which is famous not only for the viewing platform above, from where you can admire the Old City, but your history. Outside the walls of the pogroms of 1391, when 40 people were torn to pieces by the crowd, Jewish rogue hid. The Episcopal Palace deserves attention not only for its antiquity, but also for the fact that it houses the Girona Museum of Art.

To look it is necessary all

Particular attention deserves the Cathedral of the city, its decoration and pride. Its history is interesting. It was erected in the place of a Romanesque tomb of the X-XI centuries, it was built from 1312 to 1604, incorporating all the architectural styles that have been replaced during these centuries - Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque. He is also famous for his nave, the largest in the history of Gothic architecture - a height of 34 m, width of 23. The building and monumentality are inferior only to St. Peter's Cathedral in Rome. So on the question of what to see in Girona (Spain), you can answer: "Everything." It is the Episcopal Palace and the Church of Sant Feliu, the Benedictine Monastery of San Pere de Galigans and the Church of San Nicolau, the Monastery of Saint Daniel and the Church of St. Philip. The Independence Square is also considered a tourist object and, like all the above, is included in all the avenues and guides for this unusual city.

Holidays in honor of the patron

Girona (Spain) reviews are only enthusiastic. Especially memorable for tourists holidays of this city. Like any other place in Spain, it has its patron - this is Saint Narcís. With this saint are associated not only magnificent holidays - the Fair of St. Narcissus (October 29) and the Time of Flowers (the third week of May), but also the unique floristic decoration of the city. Imagine the beauty of urban stairs, decorated with flowers, it is impossible. It is necessary to look at least photos. Figurine floristry of the city is unusual. This is also why Girona (Spain) is so tempting. Sightseeing reviews have the most positive, because the beauty of the city is indescribable.