The best time to stroll the narrow streets of Barri Vell, the christened name of the old town of Girona is in the morning, when there are a few people going about.
Barri Vell of Girona
Information: Girona, Spain
I must confess that I do love having people as part of my accessory in my pictures but I also must admit that there is nothing better than being able to appreciate and experience an ancient city and its architecture void from the mass of human presence. Well except for mine of course and few early birds here and there.
I first had a little breakfast of cappuccino and croissant at a café near Pont de Pedro. Nothing like a Spanish breakfast to start my day but I am not a big breakfast eater, so a combo of Italian coffee and French bread gets me going and through the morning easily.
There was really no set agenda for the morning stroll. I wanted it to be spontaneous, just walk around the old town, take pictures here and there, inspect the narrow alleys and stairs, stop for a minute or two to appreciate the architecture around me, something like that. I know this can be pretty boring for others but I am a big fan of old architecture so morning strolls like these is like being a little girl again inside the candy shop.
Come, join me in my morning stroll…
Catalans are very nationalistic. A must thing to understand when it is your first time in the region of Catalonia in Spain. Catalans are not Spanish, although technically they are (at least to us foreigners) but do tread carefully on this subject as they can get very passionate.
The building on the right is the Ajuntamento (City Hall).
My simple breakfast at Cafeteria Pont de Pedra.
The old town is just waking up.
A town really looks and feels different without the masses. It’s as if the old buildings are whispering their age-old secrets to me.
Pujada de Sant Domenec (Steps of Saint Dominic), the famous steps of Barri Vell Girona leading to Esglesia del Carme (Del Carmen Church)
Here I am having a selfie shot at the steps =)
Esglesia del Carme (Del Carmen Church) at the top of the steps.
The entrance to the La Catedral (Girona Cathedral). You have to pay to get in, although I do wonder if you can go inside for free for church services? I am sure… but it does make you wonder.
The view from the Cathedral.
The details of the Cathedral’s main door and facade. Simply beautiful.
La Catedral (Girona Cathedral) rising above the steps.
School children on an educational day trip.
I have probably walked around for more than two hours when the masses arrived.
Hordes of tourists in buses are brought to Girona from Barcelona every day. During the peak season, beach holidaymakers based along the costas come here in droves as well to visit the city.
Most cities in Europe have a most talked about, most touched or most kissed statue. Well it looks like Girona is no exemption: The famous Lioness of Girona clinging on top of a pole, her butt exposed.
They have a saying that goes, “No pot ser veà de Girona qui no faci un petó al cul de la lleona” which means: You can’t be a resident in Girona until you’ve kissed the bum of the lioness, so people kiss it (mostly tourists) just in case they come back and take residence. Just think about the variety of international saliva on the bum of this lion. Eeeek, but there is no stopping the surge of kissers.
Yep, I told you the group tours have arrived!
And the Rambla de la Libertad the main walkway of Barri Vell has woken up as well.
Travel Period: November 2013
Destination: Girona, Spain
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