Girona Historic Centre And Flower Festival Temps de Flors

A medieval city with over 2000 years of history. The Forca Vella dates back to the Roman foundation while the medieval extension of the city walls was carried out during the 14th and 15th centuries. The highlights of Girona are rounded off by the impressive old Jewish Quarter or Call, with its beautiful streets and porticoed squares.

Girona Flower festival For a week in May The streets and buildings of the historic centre are decorated with flowers.

The Forca Vella In the first century BC, the Romans built a fortress with an almost triangular perimeter (a kind of acropolis) which is known as Forca Vella. This was the first city enclosure and it remained unchanged until the year 1000. There is a walking path along the top of the walls that offers spectacular views of the city and surrounding countryside.

The Cathedral Located at the heart of the Forca Vella. Built between the 11th and 18th centuries, it includes a series of walls and spaces in different styles, from Romanesque (the cloister and Charlemagne tower) to the baroque facade and steps. Its most singular feature is its large Gothic nave (15th-16th centuries) which, at a width of 23 metres, is the widest of its kind in the world.

The Arab Baths A singular Romanesque construction (12th century) inspired by Roman baths, its most outstanding elements include the entrance, which was used as a changing room and relaxation area and is covered with a barrel vault, and the cupola covering the central pool, which is supported by slim columns with ornately decorated capitals.

The Houses on the River Onyar Brightly painted facades of the houses overlooking the Onyar (the river that crosses the city) One of these houses is Casa Masa, which is a museum open to the public. Of particular interest among the bridges that span the river are the slender and lightweight Gomez bridge and the Palanques Vermelles bridge (1827), which was built by the Eiffel company.

Jewish Quarter Located within the Forca Vella. It consists of a labyrinth of narrow streets and patios that have maintained their medieval atmosphere. It is one of the best-preserved Jewish quarters in the world.

Sant Pere de Galligants and Sant Nicolau Small Romanesque temple that is now a museum.

Plaza de la Independcia Designed by Marta Sureda on the site of the old convent of Sant Agusta, this is Girona's most popular square with a large number of restaurants. In the centre of the square stands a monument (1894) commemorating the 1809 defenders of the city of Girona, created by the sculptor Antoni Parera.

For more ideas of what to do and see in Girona visit the tourism website.

Girona is served by REGIONAL Rail network and also AVE high speed Rail network. Both networks opperate from Girona Renfe Station.