Girona, In the Time of Flowers

I underestimated the popularity of the Girona flower festival. I had assumed that there would be flower arrangements around town here and there, we would all calmly walk around and admire them. The truth was there were very many people, even more French than Spaniards. It was somewhat frantic, one way foot traffic in a number of streets. Not having done too much research, we were surprised one had to queue up for indoor arrangements. One queue was so long that we couldn't see what we were queuing for. The sun was hot. It was time to retreat.

We returned to the hotel for some cool air and research. I looked online and talked to hotel staff. Armed with knowledge, we renewed our pursuit of flowers.

• The best places are inside, e.g. Arab bath, incomparable, no wonder we couldn't see the head of the line earlier.
• Terraced stairs are good, e.g. steps in front the cathedral.
• Indoor places do not open until 10 by which time tour buses are already all over place. It's hot in the afternoon. Evenings are the best. There may still be a line, though not so long, outside the Arab bath, at 8pm.
• The crowd/quality ratio is a little high to my liking.

Each official flower arrangement/design/exhibition, numbered 0 to 106, also has a name and a title. You can check them out on the festival guide: https://tempsdeflors.girona.cat/docs/RevistaTempsdeflors2022.pdfhttps://tempsdeflors.girona.cat/docs/RevistaTempsdeflors2022.pdf

No. 42 - The flower carpet inside Esglesia de Sant Feliu.

No. 43 - Sant Feliu Main Stairs - illustrates the legend of the army of flies that drove the French invaders out of city in the 13th century.

No. 46: The Cathedral Stairs, "The ship sails" - featured in a Game of Thrones (GOT) episode we read, from the bottom.

A short video.

From the top of the Cathedra Stairs at sunset.

A couple at Independence Square enjoying No. 82: “History and proximity of trade”.

No 86: Carrer Nou “Children's trees” Short video.

Peacocks and People. No. 61: Jardins dels Alemanys (German Gardens) - "We open the cages".

Many shops in the Old Town had their own flower display - Mannequins.



Shoe Store.

The un-numbered textile tree near our hotel.

No. 31. Bridge of San Agustín "The path of trade" - Along the River Onyar

We twice walked through the No. 56 Cathedral Cloister - "Contrasts of the future" - once at night, once during the day. Night.



Day.





The No. 52 Arab Baths - Banys Àrabs “El jardí de Prosèrpina” - were very popular and a highlight. Again we visited once at night, and once in the evening, avoiding the lines.

The queue for the Arb Baths.



Entrance doorway.

Flower tree.









The roof of the Arab Baths.

N0. 76 - Jardí de l’Àngel - “Passage of the beast on the path of joy”.

N0. 33 - Ascent of the Cathedral Stairs of the Pear - “Landscaped fields? Cultivated gardens? ”

The Zigzag Steps to No. 24: the Stairs of Església de Sant Martí - “El corriol de Sant Martí”- require one-way traffic.



No. 20 Plaça de les Castanyes - “La ciutat invisible”.

No. 67 - Plaça dels Jurats - “Un mar de flors”.

River monster.

Bonus.

Girona, Around Town

Marc advised us to walk on the city walls of Girona. Compared to the other city walls we have seen on the trip, the 9th century Carolingian walls don't look so impressive. Walking on it was nevertheless fun and full of viewpoints, great for day and night.

We came across a hiking route (the Stone Route) somewhere in town and followed it, and found ourselves in the country in no time, leaving the crowds of the flower festival far behind. In addition we also made the rounds to the modernist buildings in Girona.

About an hour after Marc dropped us off at Hotel Europa, we headed out to walk the city wall only to find the entrance gate(s) locked. Bummer. However, after walking along the base of the wall for 30 minutes or so we found ourselves on top of Torre Gironella with sunset views west to the Cathedral and the Pyrenees.



A bonus beautiful view of the apse of the Cathedral on our way down.

The Onyar River flows through the center of Girona. We crossed it many times, each a photo op.

The next morning we passed a peaceful march by the sanitation workers who have "threatened to mobilize" during the festival as they have not received the salary increases promised in their collective bargaining agreement with the City Council.

This evening, the gate to the top of the wall (Passeig de la Muralla) was open. Woohoo!



This city wall (right) is narrow, barely enough room for 2 people to pass.









And another night photo of the River Onyar.

The third day we walked to a nearby but separate section of the wall with the opposing view to the Cathedral (center right) and Sant Feliu (far right).

View across the Onyar River.

View from our room at the Hotel Europa.

Another day, another walk on the city walls; this time with a clear view to the Pyrenees (left).

The Ruta Pedra (Stone Route) hiking trail begins just a few minutes walk east of the Cathedral. The first section goes by an old aqueduct that brings water from Font de les Curculles to the Old Town.



We walked to the top of this hill...

...where there's a great view towards the Old Town.

Then down to a small stream near a meadow with an outdoor "dance hall" i.e. the Sardana Plaza.

Back in the Old Town, we walked the Ruta Pedra to the old quarries. One was reclaimed as a garden of sorts.

Others are outdoor museums.

With views, of course, to the Cathedral and the Pyrenees.

We spot a Eurasian Hoopoe!!!

Route complete!

Delivery guy.

In Girona, there are many Modernista buildings designed by architect Rafael Maso. For example: Casa La Punxa.

And La Farinera Teixidor (The Flour Mill).



Parting shots.