Girona is a city about 1.5 hours north-east of Barcelona. Once the capital of Catalunya, it’s now popular with tourists keen to see a medieval city. Its Jewish Quarter is particularly charismatic, and there are a number of churches and cathedrals, as well as Arab baths and a surrounding medieval wall.
We took the train out to Girona from Barcelona sometime in the morning, which as fairly easy once we had help from one of the staff at the ticketing machines. The ride was comfortable enough, with Glen and Julian discussing screening programs for the better part of it. Simon and I read our books.
We headed to the visitor centre after leaving the station, collecting a map and some suggestions, then set off through the many narrow cobbled streets to find the designated tourist attractions along the way. The stairs leading up to a cathedral were featured in Game of Thrones. The baths were heavily advertised with an exquisitely taken photograph that didn’t truly explain that there’s only one of these baths and the rest of the complex is basically in ruins.
We walked past the lioness of Girona — a statue of a lioness climbing a pole — whose rump you’re supposed to touch or kiss to ensure your return to this fair city. I’m not sure how you’re meant to do that though as the lion is well above head height. Perhaps you’re supposed to climb the pole? Either way, the city has placed a smaller replica on the wall nearby with a plaque. That lioness, made of brass as opposed to the real one being made of stone, has a nice shiny gold bum.
More walking led us up to the towers on the wall, which we walked along for a part off, then back down towards the city. We went into the cathedral (it had reopened after lunch or mass or termite extermination…I don’t know) and looked around. I can barely remember what was meant to be important about this one. I think it was very dark on the inside from memory.
Oh, wait! I remember. It was unique because it had taken a very long time to build and was one of the first cathedrals to not have the side bits, instead just being one capsule-shaped building. Fascinating.
Girona was pretty. If you’ve got the time, it’s nice to get out of Barcelona for a bit and wander around.
Travels with Dan 
What do you say, eh?