Riots in Girona? No just the annual “correfocs” festival
November 2, 2011 by Admin
Filed under Activities, Festivals, History and culture
“Correfocs” literally translated means running with fire and that’s exactly what happens through the Old Town of Girona on the night of the 31st of october every year. The organisers are dressed in costumes and some are on stilts supported by some heavy drum beats while they set off multiple fireworks and explosions all around while joined by hundreds of mostly young people all dancing in the shower of sparks. They wear old clothes and cover their heads and faces to avoid being burned but the danger is of course the best part!
The whole procession weaves up past the cathedral through the narrow streets making for spectacular images with the noise, smell of cordite and clouds of smoke adding to the experience of hell as we follow the devil into his lair…
Random pictures of Girona Old Town
March 28, 2011 by Admin
Filed under History and culture
Taking advantage of a beautiful sunday afternoon with spring colours emerging inspired me to take these pictures:
La Pilar cathedral Zaragoza
March 14, 2011 by Admin
Filed under Activities, History and culture
For those of you that decide to rent a car and drive from Madrid to Barcelona a stop to visit the spectacular La Pilar basilica in Zaragozais a must.
The Basilica-Cathedral of Our Lady of the Pillar (in Spanish Catedral-Basílica de Nuestra Señora del Pilar) is a Roman Catholic church in the city of Zaragoza, Aragon, Spain. The Basilica venerates Blessed Virgin Mary, under her title Our Lady of the Pillar[1] praised as Mother of the Hispanic Peoples by Pope John Paul II.[2] It is reputed to be the first church dedicated to Mary in history.[3]
Local traditions take the history of this basilica to the dawn of Christianity in Spain attributing to an apparition to Saint James the Great, the apostle who had brought Christianity to the country.[4] This is the only known apparition of Mary to have occurred before her Assumption.[2]
Many of the kings of Spain, many other foreign rulers and saints have paid their devotion before this statue of Mary. Saint John of the Cross, Saint Teresa of Avila, Saint Ignatius of Loyola, and Blessed William Joseph Chaminade are among the most outstanding ones.[5] The Basilica of Our Lady of the Pillar is one of two minor basilicas in the city of Zaragoza, and is co-cathedral of the city alongside the nearby La Seo Cathedral. The architecture is of Baroque style, and the present building was predominantly built between 1681 and 1872.
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Girona m’enamora!
November 27, 2009 by Admin
Filed under Activities, History and culture
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Girona goes International-for a week
July 8, 2009 by Admin
Filed under Activities, Festivals, Local news and info, Wine and food
Girona only has a population approaching 100,000 and yet this week we have had and will have a truly international flavour with the 10th Religious and World Music Festival and the massive Tour de France cycling race hitting town tomorrow.
See and download the full gallery on posterous
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Lleida la Seu Vella cloisters
June 26, 2009 by Admin
Filed under Cultural tours, History and culture
Lleida is on the westernmost edge of Catalonia and on the main roads to Zaragoza and Madrid from Barcelona. The plains around here produce many kinds of soft fruit like pears, peaches, cherries and apples as well as grapes from the D.O.Costers del Segre. The key to the agriculture is having the river Segre as a source for irrigation as without it only olive trees, almonds and vines can survive the extreme conditions.
See and download the full gallery on posterous
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Exciting summer ahead in Girona!
May 17, 2009 by Admin
Filed under Activities, Festivals, Local news and info, Tours
Girona province hosts some of the best music festivals during the summer months with a wide variety of international groups and stars. In addition this year we have amajor sporting event to add to the excitement, the Tour de France which will be holding a stage here on the 9th of July finishing in Barcelona that same day.
The venues are also worth a mention because these are much more varied than your normal auditorium or concert hall. From the steps of Girona Cathedral (Religious music festival of Girona) to Cap Roig botanical gardens (Cap Roig music festival) in a setting which is a natural wonder and intimate enough to seem like a private party.
There are some smaller events such as those taking place in the Empuries Greco-Roman ruins which are worth keeping a look out for and also settings like the X th century monastery of Sant Pere de Rodes which are well worth the effort to get to.
Personally, I am looking forward to an eclectic range of music from Fauré’s Requiem to Khaled with UB40, James Taylor and Jamie Cullum along the way. Leonard Cohen is already sold out but Lou Reed, the Pretenders and Dee Dee Bridgewater will more than compensate!
See the events page on http://discovergirona.net for more details.
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Girona Flower Festival continued
May 11, 2009 by Admin
Filed under Activities, Festivals, Local news and info
This week Girona is the centre of the Flower Festival universe with concerts (mainly outdoors) and art exhibitions as well as most shops having some flowers in their displays which makes it a fun place to walk around for a few hours.
The Cathedral steps are pretty good this year as are the gardens around the Arab Baths and through the patios of the old Jewish quarter (the Call).
The Rambla and even the Onyar river get flower displays but Placa de Independencia is a safe spot to have a cold drink and a "menu" (fixed price lunch) while relaxing before joining the quest for more floral attractions later.
See and download the full gallery on posterous
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Girona Flower Festival
May 10, 2009 by Admin
Filed under Activities, Festivals, Local news and info
Well, another flower festival is here, or better said another "Temps de Flors." Girona looks splendid at this time of year and, excepting the crowds, is a truly delightful place to wander around taking in the small patios, chapels, street installation art and public buildings.
It is the best way to see some of the nicest private gardens and courtyards which are normally out of bounds to the average visitor.
The first weekend is always very busy but after that things calm down and it is easier to get in to the main sights like the Cathedral cloisters and Arab Baths.
For those that want less crowded spots the Cathedral Gardens, Old City walls and the Devesa Park are all good and shady alternatives.
To compensate for all the hard sightseeing there are plenty of open air cafes, restaurants and ice cream parlours to tempt the needy.
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A walk through the Cathedral gardens, Girona
November 25, 2008 by Admin
Filed under Cultural tours, History and culture, Tours
As befits a town that has been a settlement since before the Visigoths and later developed and influenced by Romans, Moors, Jews and Catholics ever since, there are many layers of building mixed together here in the Old Town of Girona.
The Cathedral gardens are nestled below the impressive town walls, walls that repelled many sieges over the years and are both high and thick enough to resist any but the best equipped armies. The local council has done a very nice job restoring and incorporating a walkway along the top of the walls, from which the views of the Old Town are one of the best ways to start your visit to Girona.The whole walk takes about an hour and involves some climbing of steps as Girona Cathedral is at the top of a hill with commanding views of the town below.Today we get a look at one side, the gardens, next time we will finish the rest of the walkway.
See and download the full gallery on posterous
