 With
more than two thousand years of history behind it, Girona has many treasures
hiding amongst the narrow streets of the old town and you can spend hours,
just wandering the streets and looking.
Visitors
usually spend some time entering many of the craft shops that exist in
this part of town, or stopping for a coffee in one of the many bars,
but below we present the jewels in Girona's crown.
The
Jewish Quarter
A labyrinth of lanes, alleys and stone steps. Carrer de la Força
was once part of Via Augusta that ran from Rome to the outposts
of Empire, going as far as Cadiz.
Museu
d'Historia dels Jueues
Girona
had a large Jewish population from the 9th to the 15th centuries and
legend has it that the mystical school of study, the Kabbalah, began
here. The museum chronicles the history of Judaism in Girona, where they
lived in peace
with their Christian neighbours until the expulsion of Jews from Spain
in 1492.
The
Cathedral
Further up Carrer de la Força begins the steps that lead
to the immense cathedral, some parts dating from the 11th century and
with the largest Gothic nave in the world. Local legend has it that if
a single person sits in Charlemagne's Chair, at the back of the
nave, they will remain single; if a couple sit their they will get married.
The Cathedral houses the Tapestry of Creation, dating from the
11th century and used to educate local people in the story of Genesis.
Arab
Baths
Dating from 1194, when the
Moors ruled much of Spain.
Plaça
de la Independència
A collonaded 18th century square on the north side of the town just across
the river from the old town with many bars and restaurants.
|
