Visitors to Barcelona who are looking for a day trip that will take them away from the city and transport them back in time should look no further than the city of Girona (Catalán name for Gerona), located about 1 hour and 15 minutes north of the city by car.
Girona was founded by the Romans and you can still see traces of the stone walls and Roman road that was built to connect Tarragona (to the south) to Rome. Following the old city wall leads you into the old quarter, where you can visit the Cathedral, built between the 12th and 13th C. To visit the cathedral you will have to ascend the 86 stairs that lead to the entrance, but it will be well worth the trip, as there are a number of treasures housed inside, including the marble throne of Emperor Charlemagne, who seized the city from the Moors in 785 AD, as well the 11th C. textile known as the Tapestry of the Creation, which is considered to be among the masterworks of the Romanesque era.
After visiting the cathedral, you can stroll down to the Jewish Quarter, known as El Call, which is the oldest and one of the best-preserved of its kind in Europe. You can easily get lost wandering the narrow, cobblestone streets of this ancient quarter that are lined with houses built in the 13th and 14th C. Other sites to visit include the Banys Arabs (Arab Baths) that date from the 12th C., the Art Museum housed in a former Episcopal palace, and the City Historical Museum, housed in a former convent from the 18th C.
The picturesque medieval city served as a backdrop for the filming of the popular Game of Thrones series. Fans of the show may recognize some of the locations featured in the 6th season of the series, including the Cathedral, the streets of the Old Quarter, the Plaça dels Jurats, the stairs of Sant Marti Sacosta church, the Arab Baths, and the Benedictine Monastery of Sant Pere de Galligants.
After you have done seeing the historical sights, be sure to do some shopping along the Rambla de la Libertat, which is Gerona’s main shopping thoroughfare, where you will find cafes, restaurants, and shops selling everything from food, to antiques, to books, to furniture.
Book a private tour! You may want to consider booking a private tour with an English-speaking guide. Your personal guide can provide you with information on the city and its historic sites. For more information, click here, and for information on all of our Barcelona tours, click here.
Photo credit: Patronat de Turisme Costa Brava Pirineu de Girona
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