Girona

Girona, also known in the past as Gerona, is the capital city of the Province of Girona in the autonomous community of Catalonia, Spain. It is situated where the Ter, Onyar, Galligants, and Güell rivers meet. In 2024, the city had an official population of 106,476 people, and the wider Girona–Salt urban area was estimated to have about 156,400 people in 2020.

Girona is also the capital of the comarca, or region, called the Gironès and the vegueria of Girona. Much of the old part of the city has been carefully preserved, making it a favorite spot for visitors. The city is located about 99 kilometers, or 62 miles, northeast of the famous city of Barcelona.

History

Girona has a long and interesting history. The area was first home to the Iberians, and later became a city called Gerunda under the Romans. Over the years, many groups ruled the city, including the Visigoths, Moors, and Franks.

In the 11th century, Girona became an official city. It faced many challenges, including being besieged many times. One famous siege happened during the Peninsular War when French troops tried to take the city. Despite hard times, Girona survived and grew. Today, visitors can walk along parts of the old city walls on a route called el Passeig de la Muralla.

Geography

Girona is found in a special place between the Empordà plain and the Catalan Coastal Depression. This area links the Costa Brava and France to the north with Barcelona and other places in the south of Catalonia. The Ter river runs through this area, meeting another river called the Onyar in Girona. The rivers have shaped the city over time.

Girona sometimes feels small shakes because it is in an area where the ground can move. Most of these shakes are too small to notice. Girona has warm summers and cool winters, with rain mostly in autumn and spring. Snow is rare, and very hot days are also uncommon.

Main sights

See also: Category:Museums in Girona

Girona is a popular place for visitors from nearby Barcelona. The old part of the city sits on a hill by the Onyar River, while the newer part is on the flat land across the river. The city has many beautiful buildings, including some in the Art Nouveau style, like the Farinera Teixidor built by architect Rafael Masó i Valentí.

Cathedral

The cathedral in Girona is very special. It was built by the Moors and later changed by Catalan Gothic architects. Walking up ninety steps brings you to the cathedral, which has a very wide stone ceiling. Inside, you can see old statues and a special altar made of silver and gold, though some parts were taken away long ago. The cathedral also holds tombs of important people from the past.

Old fortifications

Girona’s old walls were built to protect the city from invaders for many years. These walls were first built by the Romans and later improved in the 14th century. Over time, the walls were changed and parts were torn down. Today, you can still walk along some of the remaining walls and towers and enjoy great views of the city and nearby countryside.

Sant Feliu

The Collegiate Church of Sant Feliu is an important building with Gothic style from the 14th century. It has a unique spire and holds special tombs and a chapel dedicated to an early bishop of Girona.

Sant Pere de Galligants

The Benedictine church of Sant Pere de Galligants is an early Romanesque building from around the year 1130. It is part of a monastery that is even older, dating back to about 950.

Plaça de la Independència

Plaça de la Independència is one of Girona’s most famous squares. It is busy and full of life, with many cafés and restaurants. The square has buildings from the 19th century and is a center for social activity in the city.

Cases de l'Onyar

The colorful houses along the Onyar River are a well-known symbol of Girona. These houses were built over many years, mostly in the 19th century, and were painted in bright colors in 1982. One of these houses, Casa Masó, was the home of architect Rafael Masó i Valentí and is now a museum.

Jewish heritage

Girona has a rich history related to its Jewish community. In 1492, the Jewish people were forced to leave or change their religion. Later, old buildings were dug up, and important pieces of history were found, like the home of Nahmanides. Today, you can visit places that tell the story of Girona’s Jewish past, including a museum and old documents from many years ago.

Culture

The old part of the city, called Barri Vell, and the Girona Cathedral have been used as settings in movies and TV shows. For example, they appeared in the film The Monk and in an episode of the TV series Game of Thrones.

Many famous cyclists from outside Europe choose to live in Girona while they race. They enjoy training there because the area has great paths for riding. Some well-known cyclists, like Marty Jemison, Tyler Hamilton, and George Hincapie, moved to Girona in 1997 to train together. Even more famous cyclists, such as Lance Armstrong, also lived in the city.

Football is very popular in Girona. The local team is Girona FC, and they played in the top league, La Liga, starting in 2017. Their home stadium is called Estadi Montilivi. The city also has a strong roller hockey team named GEiEG, which is one of the best in Spain and plays in the OK Liga.

Education

Girona is home to the Jaume Vicens Vives Secondary School and the University of Girona. These schools help students learn and grow in the city.

Economy and infrastructure

Transport

Road

Girona is located on the Autopista AP-7 and N-II roads. It is a central point for local roads that go to the coast and towards the Pyrenees mountains.

Buses

The city has many bus routes run by private companies. There are buses within the city, to nearby towns in the Girona area, and to places far away.

Rail

Girona has a new railway station west of the Old Town. Trains go from Barcelona to Portbou and the French border.

Girona is a key stop for fast AVE trains traveling from Paris, Marseille, Toulouse, and Figueres to Barcelona, and from Figueres to Barcelona and Madrid.

The trip to Barcelona takes about 1 hour 35 minutes on slower trains, 1 hour 15 minutes on regular trains, or just 37 minutes on the fast AVE trains. Madrid can be reached in 3 hours 45 minutes on the AVE.

Airport

Girona's airport, Girona-Costa Brava, is 10 kilometres south of the city center. It grew very quickly because Ryanair chose it as one of their main places in Europe, but then it got smaller when they moved most flights to Barcelona El Prat.

Girona Airport is about a 30-minute bus ride from Girona's bus station and train station, and about an hour from Barcelona's center, which is 92 km south. The bus stops at Barcelona's main bus station, the Estació d'Autobusos Barcelona Nord.

Many low-cost airlines refer to this airport as being in "Barcelona."

Government

Results of the elections since 1931

See also: List of mayors of Girona

This section shows the results of elections in Girona since the year 1931. You can learn about the leaders who have helped guide the city through different times. The full list of mayors and their stories is available for those who want to explore more.

Notable people

Girona has been home to many interesting people throughout history. Some well-known figures include Maria Pilar Bruguera Sábat, a Roman Catholic nun and physician, and Josep Maria Corredor i Pomés, a cultural activist. Other notable individuals are Carme García, a visually impaired para-alpine skier and journalist, and Fidel Roig Matons, a Catalan painter and musician. The city has also seen the birth of Miguel Molina, a racing driver, and Josep Maria Nadal i Farreras, a scholar of the Catalan language. Additionally, Nachmanides, a Jewish rabbi, philosopher, physician, and kabbalist, lived in Girona.

Twin towns – sister cities

Girona has special partnerships with other cities around the world. It is also part of the Eurotowns network.