Profile of Girona
Girona is one of Catalonia's biggest cities, located in North-eastern Spain less than 2 hours away
from France. It lies at the heart of one of the most beautiful provinces in Spain. The beaches and
coastline of the nearby Costa Brava are reminiscent of California's Big Sur, with many charming
coves and pine forests. The best hotels in Spain are also located in the Girona ("Gerona" in
Spanish) province, many historic castles and villas, which have been transformed into luxury
hotels. Charming fishing ports, medieval villages and the dramatic scenery of the majestic
Pyrenees Mountains are al major attractions. Girona itself is a fascinating city to visit.
From its early Iberian inhabitants, the Romans seized control of Girona, calling it "Gerunde".
Later, as in most of Spain, the Visigoth kings came into control, before being knocked out of
power by the Moorish Caliphs. Charlemagne himself took it back from the Moors in the 8th century
and shortly after, it became part of the kingdom pertaining to the Counts of Catalonia. Barcelona
was also a "countship" and is still called "La Ciudad Condal".
In the 12th century, a Jewish community flourished in
Girona. Along with Toledo, Cordoba, Seville, Besalu, Barcelona, Tarazona and a few other villages
and towns, Girona was a very important city in Sephardic Spain. In the 1100's Girona was home to
one of the biggest Cabalistic schools in all of Europe. Sadly, in 1492, the year Columbus arrived
to the Americas and changed Spain's future forever, all of the Jews who refused to convert were
expelled from Spain, thus ending a period of tolerance that the Jews, Moors and Christians had
previously enjoyed. The Jewish Ghetto in Girona is today, amazingly, one of the best preserved in
Europe. As in Barcelona, the Jewish quarter (called "Juderia" in Spanish) is named the "Call".
It's a lovely neighborhood of narrow cobblestoned alleyways, flower covered balconies and ancient
houses and shops.
These days, Girona is a bustling, little visited city. The
Onyar River cuts through the city and pretty pastel colored villa style buildings line the river on
both sides. Full of fashionable shops and elegant restaurants, not to mention superb historic hotels
in the region, it's a delight to visit and not as packed with tourists as other Spanish cities.
Girona is full of beautiful reminders of its past- from the Jewish "Call" to the Moorish baths,
to the abundant medieval architecture and more recent Modernista architecture. Girona used to be
completely surrounded by a fortress wall, and a part of the remaining parts of the eastern city
walls have been rebuilt, called the "Passeig de la Muralla", which is now a lovely walkway around
the ancient city, the "Casc Antic". Girona is definitely worth a visit if you will be visiting
Catalonia and is also a good base to visit many nearby attractions. The river setting is quite
magical and a romantic place to stay overnight and see the city illuminated by night.
Gastronomy and Wine
Foie gras and truffles are two unique gourmet products
from the Girona region and the local restaurants serve superb cuisine. Girona is also referred to
as "The Orchard of Spain" and grows a huge quantity of high quality and organic apples, asparagus,
artichokes, peas and artichokes for domestic consumption. In the Pyrenees Mountains, a mind-boggling
amount of wild mushrooms are collected and Girona is known for its "Setas" and "Champiñones" from
Chantarelles, Boletus, Trompets de Mort (The Trumpet of Death), and Moixerons (some of the best,
very intensely flavoured). Seafood in Girona is an obvious asset with the coastline of the
Mediterranean Sea and some of the most typical fish you will find on Girona restaurant menus
include: "Rascassa" (Scorpion fish), "Lubina" (Sea Bass), "Salmonete" (Red Mullet), and "Mero"
(Grouper). Lobster is also ubiquitous on the menus and is often served with chocolate, one of
Salvador Dali's favorite recipes.
Wine is also produced in Girona and the most famous
appellation is "Emporda-Costa Brava". Dry red and white wines, sweet red wines and sparkling wines
are all made here. The principal grapes used include: (White)- Garnacha Blanca, Macabeu, Moscatel,
Xarel-lo, Chardonnay, (Red)- Garnach Tinta, Ull de Llebre (Tempranillo), Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot
and Cariñena (Carignan). The most well known wineries in this DO (Denominación de Origen) include
the market leader "Castillo de Perelada" (in the gorgeous medieval village of Pereleda, this winery
really does own a perfectly preserved castle), the funky and artsy "Celler Espelt" (most famous for
their dessert wine "Airam Garnatxa de l'Emporda Dulce") and Oliver Conti (whose red wine is
considered to be one of the best in the region and who is also an interesting winery for their
experimentation and innovation; they are making interesting wines with the Gewürztraminer grape).
Highlights - In Girona City
The Arab Baths
These amazingly preserved Moorish "Baños" date back to 1194.
In the 15th century, they came into private ownership until 1617 when they became part of the Order of
Capuchin nuns' convent, which they used as a laundry room! Thankfully in 1929, Girona's monumental Arab
Baths became Spanish Patrimony and the reconstruction and repair of these ancient baths could begin.
"Call", "La Judería"
The Jewish quarter. The principal street with most historic
importance is the "Força" and many tiny alleyways all lead to and away from this street. Characteristics of
this quarter are the narrow streets (you can touch both walls on either side of you on some streets) and the
beautiful facades of the ancient structures.
"Museo Arqueológico de Cataluña"
One of the most important and curious archaeological museums in
Spain. Located inside a 12th century Romanesque Benedictine Monastery, this museum houses a collection of
sculpture dating from the 11th to 14th centuries and exquisite Romanesque Frescoes.
"Mueso de Cine"
A quirky, private museum dedicated to cinema. The owner, Tomás
Mallol, has collected objects related to theatre and cinema for over 25 years and for "Cineastas" this museum
is a must-see.
"Parque de la Devesa"
The most beautiful gardens in the city, actually considered to be a
national treasure. The bullring is even inside these enormous gardens (over 40 hectares) and this "Parque" is
an emblematic symbol of Girona.
Highlights - In Girona Province
Salvador Dali Surrealist Museum
Located in the city of Figueres, the "Museu Teatre Dal" is in one
word, amazing! If you are an art lover, do not miss this museum, as it is quite simply one of the best in Spain.
The museum itself is a work of art and inside, you will find the largest collection of paintings, drawings and
multi-media works of art that Salvador Dali created. A fascinating visit, and only 30 minutes from Girona.
Cadaques
The most beautiful village in the entire Mediterranean coast, in our
view, Cadaques is a gem of a place. While quite touristy in summer, the best time to visit is spring or fall,
when the weather is excellent and the village empty of tourists except for a few French visitors who cross the
border to come for lunch there. Whitewashed houses line the pretty coves and the seafront is full of cute
restaurants where you can enjoy fish that has been fished that same morning! Olive wood products can be found
easily here.
Medieval Villages & Beaches
The most beautiful medieval villages in the region include Besalu (with
its Romanesque bridge and Jewish heritage), Peratallada (Gourmet mecca for its local cuisine) and Pals (quite
close to the coast). Pals is really a hamlet more than a village, but is boasts a cluster of gourmet restaurants
and one truly special hotel, "Mas Salvi", a gorgeous small luxury hotel, one of our favorite in Catalonia.
There are many villages on the Costa Brava worth a visit, either for the village itself or the dining.
Palafrugell, Palamos and Calella de Mar are all quite pretty. A visit to Carmen Ruscadella's restaurant "Sant
Pau", in Sant Pol de Mar (closer to Barcelona) is a gourmet must.
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Food & Wine Tours Girona:
Deluxe weekend by luxury Mercedes to wine estates in the Penedes and Emporda, gastronomic walking tour and city break to Barcelona and plush 17th century villa hotel in the Costa Brava...
Cooking weekends in Spain's most artsy city, Barcelona. Indulge in a colorful market tour of the Boqueria (with a professional chef), a VIP cooking class in a stylish Barcelona loft, a wine tasting excursion to the boutique wine region of Priorat where you will also visit a 12th century Hamlet...
This honeymoon tour is perfect for food and wine lovers and includes such highlights as VIP wine tastings, a private Cooking Class with top chef in the gorgeous Costa Brava, Spa Treatments, Hot Air Ballooning with a champagne toast in the air, and ultra luxury and pampering- exactly what you deserve on your honeymoon!