| Gerona is located north of Barcelona
in the Ter river valley, between the mountain
massifs of Las Gavarres and Las Guilleries.
Its strategic location favoured its original
growth as an important stronghold, and its
history is characterised by a seemingly never-ending
list of military events which have immortalised
its name. The 12C was characterised by the
building of many outstanding Romanesque constructions.
And during the Gothic period the city began
to expand and enlarge its walled sections,
which spread towards the districts that had
grown up around the Roman part. Even during
the 16C and 17C there was an increase in defensive
construction, including fortresses, military
barracks and other such buildings. |
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The magnificent walled area, which is preserved
in almost its entirety, was last put to the test
during the famous sieges of 1808-09 when it faced
Napoleon's troops. In spite of everything, the
strategic and defensive roles of the city did
in no way impede the development of a historic
centre of exceptional value. One fine example
is the Cathedral, an enormous construction that
was painstakingly built over many centuries. The
cloisters and the so-called Carlemany Tower contain
some fine examples of Romanesque art. The Gothic
nave, measuring 22.98m in width and 35.2m in height,
is unique of its kind, while the main façade
shows clearly Baroque influences. Inside, we find
the Chapter Museum, containing such outstanding
exhibits as a manuscript of the Apocalypse (10C)
and the famous embroidery known as 'The Creation'
( 12C ).
Leaving the Cathedral the visitor can head for
the former Episcopal Palace, today converted into
an Art Museum, as well as several other medieval
constructions. Other buildings of interest to
be encountered include the Convent of Sant Doménec
(14C-16C); the Church of Sant FéIiu, which
has a Romanesque ground plan and a Gothic vault,
and contains the Chapel of Saint Narcís
-the city's patron saint; the 12C Monastery of
Sant Pere de Galligants -location of the Archeological
Museum- and whose cloisters preserve an important
collection of Jewish steles that came from the
cemetery of the ancient Hebrew community who lived
in medieval Girona; the Romanesque Chapel of Sant
Nicolau: and finally the Convent of La Mercé
-the present-day technical school. Civil architecture
of interest include the so-called Pia Almoina,
a medieval charitable institution: the Renaissance
construction of the old University; the so-called
Arab baths (12C); and the Fontana d'Or, an aristocratic
mansion dating from the Romanesque period which
has later Gothic additions. In addition, the streets
in the 'old town' are full of buildings that belonged
to the old aristrocracy of Girona -in particular
around the area of La Força in Los Alemanys
and Ciutadans streets.
The Jewish quarter, known as 'Call', runs parallel
to La Força street and spreads out in a
maze of small, narrow and very often steeply sloping
streets which still maintain their medieval atmosphere.
It was begun in the 9C, and, right up until the
expulsion of the Jews in 1492, was the home of
a thriving community which once contained almost
a thousand inhabitants. During the 13C, the Jewish
community, who were most prolific businessmen,
experienced a most important cultural and religious
period, mainly thanks to the tremendous development
of their superstitious arts. One of the great
figures associated with this was Mosé Ben
Nahmán, also known as Nahmánides
or by his Catalan name of Bonastruça Porta.
The entire monumental heritage of Girona is complemented
by a great deal of artistic works exhibited in
the city's museums. Of particular importance is
the Chapter Museum, where, apart from the already
mentioned manuscript and embroidery, there is
a magnificent collection of objects worked in
silver and gold dating from the Gothic era, the
sculpture of Sant Carlemany, the Arab arc of Hixem
II, and several valuable religious pieces. Leaving,
the Cathedral via the socalled 'Apostles' Door'
(Puerta de los Apóstoles) we enter the
former Episcopal Palace -location of the Art Museum.
This contains some fine sculpture, gold and silverwork,
paintings and sketches, as well as special rooms
given over to works of art from medieval times.
The Monastery of Sant Pere de Galligants contains
within it the Archeological Museum, with exhibits
ranging from the lower Paleolithic era to the
time of the Roman Empire, while inside the Convent
of the Capuchin Sisters there is a Museum of the
History of the City. The latter has rooms dedicated
to prehistoric times, local crafts, the sardana
(a typical dance), and industrialisation -mainly
concerning the history of electric lighting and
printing in Girona.
Today, Gerona, apart from its historic charm,
is a bustling, lively city, with a great variety
of family businesses and shops that balance perfectly
with its medium sized population (approx. 80,000
inhabitants ). |
