A day trip to Girona

We thought we'd take a little jaunt to the medieval town of Girona, about 102 km north of Barcelona. And weren't we glad we did. The train (which was actually headed for Paris) got us there in 38 minutes. Do the math and we averaged 200 kph, though we spent a good deal of the ride at 300 kph. Man, these European trains have to be seen to be believed.

Much of current day Girona is a modern city, but we were only interested in seeing the old Medieval quarter. It is remarkably well preserved, so much so that many location shots for the popular Games of Thrones television series were filmed here. It is as it was then a maze of narrow, twisting cobblestone lanes and alleys between ancient stone buildings. And steps, there are lots of steps, some going up, some coming back down.

The city walls are still intact, can be walked from end to end, and provide a fantastic view across the whole town. Even the watchtowers along the walls have been restored to a point where they too can be climbed and marvelled from.

Every good town in Medieval times was of course dominated by its cathedral and Girona is no exception. It stands majestically above a long flight of stone steps leading up from the cathedral plaza.

Girona also had a large Jewish population over the years who unfortunately suffered quite a chequered history. A very informative museum has been established on the site of the first synagogue on Calle da Forca. It covers their entire history from grave stones carved with Hebrew script dating from the 4th century, through the Christian raids of 1492, their forced expulsion during the reign of Ferdinand and Isabella and their persecution during the period of the Spanish Inquisition.

Well worth a look. There are also a couple of restfully contemplative garden areas with the museum to sit and really have a think about things.

This small glass case is what a subway station looks like above ground in Barcelona.
It's actually an elevator down to where the action really happens.

Our train to Girona was in fact a French TGV.
Girona was the first stop on its way back to Gare du Lyon in Paris.

Sleek double decker carriages and a ride so smooth we couldn't tell if we were moving or not.
 It's 102 km from Barcelona to Girona and we did it in 38 Minutes.

Multi coloured houses adorn the side of the river.
That foot bridge was built by Augustus Eiffel before he went into towers.
Not his best work to my mind.

The medieval section of Girona is a film set come to life.
It's a maze of twisting narrow passageways, arches and steps.

Small wonder some of the scenes of Game of Thrones were filmed here.

Girona was a walled city in times gone by.
They are in remarkably good condition and can be walked from end to end giving fantastic views over the town.

 And like all good medieval towns it is dominated by its cathedral.

More narrow streets and lanes.

The rear of the cathedral taken from the Jardines de Francesca.

The side entry to the cathedral.

The majestic front entry and steps to Girona Cathedral.

Some detail of the statuary and ornamentation of the cathedral.

This weird creature is a left over from medieval times and is supposed to represent a lion.
El Lleona (hi Leona if your reading this) has been hanging onto this post for 100s of years.

Legend has it if you kiss its bottom you will some day return to Girona.
A bit of Gironian Blarney if you ask me.

This is a restful courtyard within the Jewish museum in Girona.
Over its history a Jewish community has in turn prospered and been persecuted at the hands of rulers and church alike. The period of the Spanish Inquisition was particularly brutal.

 A model showing the Jewish sector with the medieval city of Girona.
It extended right up to the Cathedral walls during the more prosperous times.
And was enclosed in a confining wall at others.

Girona also has a massive park, acres and acres of it.
It could seriously be called a forest, but there are some landscaped boisettes to enjoy as well.

An interesting sculpture we found accidentally.

And back home again where Las Ramblas was in full swing as usual.
All those tents are restaurants for the night and vanish the next morning.