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Charming spots: Sant Andreu de Pedrinyà
Many people visit the Dali/Gala castle at Púbol but do not realise that only a couple kilometres off the road there is a charming church hamlet to visit without any tourists, Sant Andreu de Pedrinyà.
Set off a country road which turns into a gravel path shortly after, but in a peaceful and beautiful location next to a stream with plantain trees which offer a cool place to rest and contemplate the small church.
Currently part of La Pera diocese there are some 20 inhabitants in the few houses surrounding the church.
The village goes back to the year 971 and the present church is documented from the 11th century and is a good example of Romanesque features revealed during the restoration in 1975.
The interior is simple stone with fragments of the original murals having been transferred to the museum of Girona for safekeeping.
The gardens are well kept and it is a nice spot to picnic if you are walking or biking in the area.
Bike ride Celra to Bordils along river Ter
Both Celra and Bordils are not most people's idea of scenic villages as they pass through in their cars along the main road to the Costa Brava from Girona. However, get a little out of the town of Celra and a remarkable transformation takes place, with fertile land planted with different seasonal crops as well as a tree and shrub nursery which covers many hectares.
It is like cycling in Holland as the roads are paved and the area is flat but you see all sorts of interesting trees and plants being grown in straight rows with irrigation and space for tractor access.
There are plenty of other sights too, the church in Bordils is one of my favourites and there are many large farmhouses and chapels worth admiring.
The main purpose of our meandering along these paths once we reach the river Ter is to look for mushrooms in between the rows of poplars, hidden by the cover of fallen leaves. We spot a particularly tasty variety which needs to be consumed quickly as once picked they tend to deteriorate. When they are a few days old they are inedible as they slowly melt into an inky black mess which is how they got their name, the "ink" mushroom.
"Fires i Festes" de Girona
The "Fires i Festes" of Girona are the week-long (24th oct-1 nov) city festival which are also referred to as Sant Narcis, Girona's patron saint. Legend has it that a massive swarm of flies came out of the tomb of Sant Narcis and drove away the invading French army and so the fly is duly celebrated as Girona's emblem.
Every year there are a multitude of events held mainly around the Devesa Park with a fun fair with all the latest scary attractions; what started off as an agricultural fair has now expanded its ambit to most products for home and garden and the "Barraques" an area devoted to serving food and drink to raise money for a variety of local groups. This last area seems to be where most of Girona's youth experiments with excess alcohol consumption and loud music.
There are street parades, free concerts until late, guided visits to the main cultural venues, activities for children and dancing the traditional "sardanes" for all ages.
Plenty of choice to be had at the food stalls full of tempting snacks, cheeses, breads, chocolates, wines, beers and other local products to consume there or take home. The bars and restaurants are full and everyone is incredibly tired of partying by the end of the second weekend where the firework display on the evening of sunday 1st nov announces a festive end until next year.
Rates,booking info and special offer for Rose Condo, Girona
The Rose Condo Girona is not only in one of the best locations for a relaxing fun holiday visit but the rates are very reasonable considering it sleeps up to 6 people.
95€/night or 500€/week all inclusive is a true bargain.
In addition a special offer for the months of nov2009-march2010 we will add on 2 extra nights for free for all weeks booked and 1 night free for up to 6 days booked.
So what does this mean? Book for 4 nights and you get an extra night free; book for a week and get 2 nights extra free!
Remember our minimum stay is 2 nights but a 2 night stay will get you a 3rd night for free.
To book or find out about availability please email Jack: gironaj@gmail.com or call 0034 607 262 102
Weather in winter is cool nights, sunny warm days.
See post for events this autumn/winter in Girona.
What are you waiting for?
Autumn/Winter events calendar for Girona
Here is a list of some of the winter activities in Girona, the highlight being the week long Sant Narcis (patron saint of Girona) festival from oct 23 to 1 nov.The Devesa park is taken over by amusement arcades and rides and a major trade/exhibition fair as well as fireworks on the last sun night and lots of free music and beer tents to sample all week long.
GIRONA HOLIDAYS & FESTIVALS FOR OCT-DEC 2009 INCLUDE:
October 13-19: XX Festival of cinema
October-December: Temporada Alta, Fiesta De Teatro - Theatre Festival. Internacional theatre, music and dance.
October: VAD-Video and digital arts festival.
November 1: Todos Santos - All Saint’s Day
Oct 23-Nov 1: Sant Narcis - Girona Fiesta of their Patron Saint, St Narcis. Partying in the street. Religious ceremonies.
December: Feria de Navidad - Christmas Fair
December 6: Dia del Constitucion - Constitution Day
December 8: Dia del Concepcion Inmaculada - Day of the Immaculate Conception
December 25: Navidad - Christmas Day. A day for the family.
December 26: Boxing Day. A day for the family.
October 13-19: XX Festival of cinema
October-December: Temporada Alta, Fiesta De Teatro - Theatre Festival. Internacional theatre, music and dance.
October: VAD-Video and digital arts festival.
November 1: Todos Santos - All Saint’s Day
Oct 23-Nov 1: Sant Narcis - Girona Fiesta of their Patron Saint, St Narcis. Partying in the street. Religious ceremonies.
December: Feria de Navidad - Christmas Fair
December 6: Dia del Constitucion - Constitution Day
December 8: Dia del Concepcion Inmaculada - Day of the Immaculate Conception
December 25: Navidad - Christmas Day. A day for the family.
December 26: Boxing Day. A day for the family.
Posted via email from gironaJ
Autumn/Winter events calendar for Girona
Here is a list of some of the winter activities in Girona, the highlight being the week long Sant Narcis (patron saint of Girona) festival from oct 23 to 1 nov.The Devesa park is taken over by amusement arcades and rides and a major trade/exhibition fair as well as fireworks on the last sun night and lots of free music and beer tents to sample all week long.
GIRONA HOLIDAYS & FESTIVALS FOR OCT-DEC 2009 INCLUDE:
October 13-19: XX Festival of cinema
October-December: Temporada Alta, Fiesta De Teatro - Theatre Festival. Internacional theatre, music and dance.
October: VAD-Video and digital arts festival.
November 1: Todos Santos - All Saint’s Day
Oct 23-Nov 1: Sant Narcis - Girona Fiesta of their Patron Saint, St Narcis. Partying in the street. Religious ceremonies.
December: Feria de Navidad - Christmas Fair
December 6: Dia del Constitucion - Constitution Day
December 8: Dia del Concepcion Inmaculada - Day of the Immaculate Conception
December 25: Navidad - Christmas Day. A day for the family.
December 26: Boxing Day. A day for the family.
October 13-19: XX Festival of cinema
October-December: Temporada Alta, Fiesta De Teatro - Theatre Festival. Internacional theatre, music and dance.
October: VAD-Video and digital arts festival.
November 1: Todos Santos - All Saint’s Day
Oct 23-Nov 1: Sant Narcis - Girona Fiesta of their Patron Saint, St Narcis. Partying in the street. Religious ceremonies.
December: Feria de Navidad - Christmas Fair
December 6: Dia del Constitucion - Constitution Day
December 8: Dia del Concepcion Inmaculada - Day of the Immaculate Conception
December 25: Navidad - Christmas Day. A day for the family.
December 26: Boxing Day. A day for the family.
The Jewish Museum of Girona
Girona was home to a large and flourishing religious, cultural and economic community of Jews from the 9th to the 15th century when they were forced to choose between converting to Catholicism or leaving the country.
For many centuries before this sad ending the Jews built up an important position in trades like leather work, tailoring, baking, trading goods, building and of course money lending. The "call" or ghetto was separated from the rest of town by gates, they had their own ruling council and made their own laws, all possible because they paid their taxes direct to the Spanish Kings.
The museum is set in what was the last of at least three synagogues found in Girona, with its own "micvah" for ceremonial baths attached. The daily life during the middle ages is explained and how Girona established an important reputation for religious enquiry. Along with other Jewish communities in Barcelona, Besalu, Perpignan and Tortosa they established trading routes and the foundations of banking and commercial networks which helped these communities flourish.
Eventually clashes with the catholics increased, taxes were progressively raised, the local interference increased including forcing Jews to wear identifying badges and in 1391 there were several important riots where many died. In Girona after one of these attacks the remaining Jews were put in the Gironalla tower, supposedly for their protection, in terrible conditions and left for 17 weeks while their houses and businesses were looted and burned.
By 1492 when Queen Isabella issued the order requiring Jews to convert or leave within 3 months, many converted only to be hunted down in subsequent years by the Spanish Inquisition and, of the ones that fled, many went to Perpignan due to proximity but the French king expelled them a year later so the respite was brief.
Most Jewish exiles ended up in Rome, Constantinople or Salonika where the Turks welcomed their capital and skills with open arms.
Despite their persecution in Spain many families managed to convert and have integrated to such an extent that the Catalans are sometimes referred to as the Jews of Spain, referring to their work ethic and business acumen.
