About Girona:
Originally a Roman settlement, and later an important medieval hub, Girona was notable for being one of the few Spanish cities where Christians, Arabs and Jews lived in peace with one another.
Because of its geographic location, it provided an entrance to all of Europe and the sea route to the Orient. The Kabbala, spiritual and numerological readings of the Torah (created by 12th century rabbis who were known as 'cabalistas de Gerona') was founded in Girona.
Girona Attractions
Cathedral - This magnificent Gothic cathedral has the largest stairway in Europe, an imposing 90 steps of Rococo design. The cloister and the Torre de Chalemany are the remnants of the original 11th century structure, with the rest of the cathedral dating from the 15th and 16th centuries.
Museu del Cinema - Located in Girona's commercial centre, this museum records the history of films and film-making in fascinating interactive displays and exhibits.
Banys Arabs - This building was most likely designed by Moorish craftsmen in the 13th century. The baths are very well preserved and consist of three main rooms for different temperatures, the underfloor heating system was influenced by Roman built baths. The cooling room is probably of most interest, with its niches for clothes and a stone bench, which provided seating for people to relax after their steam baths.
Carrer de la Forca & the Call -This is most well preserved Jewish quarter in Western Europe. The Jews are thought to have settled in Girona before the Moorish invasion; although the first time a settlement is recorded dates from the ninth century. The Call was basically a Jewish ghetto until the expulsion of the Jewish population from Spain in 1492.
Museu Arqueologic and the city walls - The museum is situated in the former church of Sant Pere de Galligans, The church itself contains Roman statues, mosaics and sarcophagi, and the lovely cloisters contain medieval relics, like inscribed tablets and stones, some of which have Jewish inscriptions. The museum records the history of the regions from Palaeolithic times to the Roman invasion.
The Church of Sant Feliu - The church tower is probably the most famous landmark in the city. In 1581 a lightning strike reduced the height of the tower and it has never been rebuilt. The church is interesting as it is a mixture Romanesque, Baroque and Gothic styles.
Today Girona is a flourishing modern city and a showcase of Catalan culture. With the narrow winding streets, steep steps and low arches, the old city offers the traveller great opportunities to explore and hours of sight seeing.
Parks
In Spring Girona bursts into bloom and everywhere gardens and buildings are ablaze with flowers. The courtyards of Girona's old buildings are open to the public and filled with glorious blossom and there are flower exhibitions throughout the city.
Passeig de la Muralla - This beautiful promenade near the University of Girona leads onto the city walls, where you can gaze over the lovely centuries-old buildings of Old Girona.
Passeig Arqueologic - A walk along this promenade, that skirts the old medieval wall beside the river, leads past colourful flowerbeds and lines of cypresses. Quiet and peaceful, a walk along the Passeig Arqueologic is a soothing escape from the world of traffic and noise.
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