Girona. Time of flowers festival
The history of Girona is of especial interest around the Medieval period, when the region was run by the monasteries, and small independent earldoms, the ancient castles of this era still stand, and so do many of the monuments and churches; in fact many of the province’s towns still, to this day, appear much as they did 1000 years ago.The capital city of Girona is steeped in a rich history, from the first Iberian occupation, through the Romans, the Holy Roman Empire and in 1809 Napoleon took occupation of the city after a long siege.In the 12th century the Jewish community was thriving and an important Kabbalistic school was constructed; however in the 14th century the catholic king’s drove them out of the city. The different cultures that have occupied and resided in Girona are evident throughout this beautiful, historic city.The city of Girona is partly surrounded by an impressive city wall; the characterful interior is delightful, with pleasant squares, cobbled streets, and a wealth of historical monuments and buildings.Although a city, Girona isn’t hectic and it provides a relaxing environment to do some local sightseeing and there are an excellent choice of restaurants, cafés and shops.The old quarter is built on a fortified hill and part of the walled fortifications still exist.