When they tell you about Girona, they will tell you about Game of Thrones and Arya Stark, I would tell you about Game of Thrones and Arya Stark, but that is only a snippet of this place. I didn’t know much about this town besides the Game of Thrones scenes that took me there, but I left with a longing to return.
Those colours of the earth; dusty rose, terracotta orange, deep pastel yellow, and ethereal browns that ground the earth. The colour blocked apartments that line the River Onyar reminiscent of many towns in Europe, Arno River anyone? Draw you curiously in to this little sleepy town in Spain.
A quick detour to the Eiffel Pedestrian Bridge the town is famed for, constructed by none other than Gustave Eiffel, in 1877 of the Eiffel Tower fame; Pont de les Peixateries Velles; the Old Fishmonger’s Bridge, is worth a knockabout on, if only for the views, but much more than that.
A walk along the old walls with a view across the city, the Jewish Quarter that holds history of dark times and serve as a reminder of things we ought not to ever tolerate if we are to be a better world.
The sun has a romantic slant here, its gentler, softer, you will get lost, go with it. I had to choose between going to Giron and going to Montserrat to see the Black Madonna and you know, popular culture won and I chose Girona so next time I head to Barcelona I am headed to Monsurat. You know how I feel about a good church, you know how I feel about Mary therefore this is something I MUST do. Simply MUST.
The Short, Short Stop:
If you see one thing make it The Arab Baths; stones that hold history in its cobbles, going as far back at the 13th century invasion of the French. Nestled in the heart of Old Girona between the church of St Feliu and the old wall.
If you do one thing: visit THE CATHEDRAL: An enormous Baroque staircase leads to the main entrance of the church whose views from the top is simply breath-taking. Inside resides the widest vaulted Gothic space in the world; indeed wider than St Peters’. 300 years of construction, and discord because the builders disagreed on the columns inside. Nonetheless, the inside is as celestial as it is serene, but the outside is a work of sublime perfection with its carved statues on the facade looking out into the heart of the old town… beautiful.
If you eat in one place eat at: Casa Marieta; It was a short day trip so this time I ducked into the first place I saw and so fortuitous it was because the meal so super incredible. It markets itself as a seasonal market menu; food is fresh, unfussy and divine. If you are in town for a short stop, eat here.
Do not leave without a stop at Casa Cacao; I am not a mighty lover of chocolate, because I find it to be simply inversatile; judge at your will but chocolates really aren’t my jam for eating but this place gives you plenty to think about with chocolate and also a good place for gifts for loved ones. It is also a hotel.
Walk the walk; Girona is history in its stones and its bones… meander the old town eyes wide open and take it all in. When you walk the Calle make sure look to out for indentations in some doorways where mezuzahs once hung.
Oh and CERAMICS: If you come home with one thing from Girona, it should be ceramics bought in the shops of the old town. Handmade plates and bowls from local artisans.