Barcelona - Page 3

Girona

Girona is located at the mouth of several small rivers, including the Onyar. On both sides of this partially silted river you can see the many, colorful houses typical for the city. From the Pont de Pedra one has perhaps the best view of it, numerous other bridges lead from the old town to newer quarters. Through the small town we reached everything on foot, so also over the beautiful Plaça de la Catedral the Cathedral Santa Maria, an architectural mixture of Renaissance, Baroque and Gothic. A quiet Romanesque cloister is located inside. Not far from it stands the Basilica of Sant Feliu with relics of some martyrs and early Christian sarcophagi.

Behind the cathedral, a path leads to the old city walls with defense towers, the foundations of which date back to Roman rule. These lead around the old town of Girona and one can walk along them completely on the Passeig de la Muralla, accompanied by a beautiful view over the city and the surrounding countryside. Arab baths not far from the cathedral and the old Jewish quarter of El Call are other attractions. Finally, we were in the Fallera Gironina, a kind of workshop that restores giant figures. These are paraded at traditional festivals and parades.

Tossa de Mar - Lloret de Mar

At the wide sandy beach of Tossa de Mar, we walked the winding Passeig de la Vila Vella to the old town. Surrounded by walls and seven towers, it originates in it in the today's form above all from the 14 Jhd., after the Reconquista 1492 served it the protection before pirates. The film Pandora and the Flying Dutchman from 1951 made the place famous, so on the way to the old town at the beginning you meet a bronze statue of Ava Gardener. Passing the ruins of the old church St. Vincent and the round tower Torre del Castel, one reaches the lighthouse El Far. Originally, the castle of Tossa was located here. A breathtaking view of the sea and a tapas bar rewarded us 🙂.

At the end of our trip we were no longer on the hunt for architectural or scenic highlights, but went to Lloret de Mar. Passing the impressive Església de Sant Romà, our way led us along the beach promenade to the dreamlike Platja de Lloret de Mar. Here we wanted only to go to one of the beach bars and end our visit to the Costa Brava in a relaxed way 🙂.