9 best museums in Girona – list, photo, description, map
For travelers in the “”immortal city” of Girona, everything is interesting. The ancient streets of the Jewish Quarter, the embankment of the Onyar River, majestic cathedrals, temples, various medieval buildings, the old fortress wall (Gerunda), built during the Roman Empire. To learn the ancient history of the city, Spain is offered not only while walking, but also by visiting the numerous museums of Girona.
Girona Art Museum
Walking through the old quarter of the city, one cannot fail to notice the architectural masterpiece of the 10th century, the Episcopal Palace (Palacio Episcopal). Now in front of us is a restored building of the Renaissance style of the Renaissance of the 17th century. Not surprisingly, it houses interesting exhibitions of works of art reflecting the history of the country.
An institution appeared in 1976 on the basis of the merger of several organizations: the Diocesan, the Provincial Museum of Antiques, the institution of fine arts. The purpose of the creation was the desire and the need to preserve, explore the cultural heritage of Girona, starting from the colonial period. The Roman, Gothic collections rank third among the important objects of the heritage of Catalonia. The archives contain 8.5 thousand historical items.
The exposition of the chronological exhibition is located in 18 halls. Among them, it is proposed to see a portable altar, a pectoral cross, the myrrh-bearing Sant Pere de Rodes. Jewelry, antique crockery decorated with blue hues, stained-glass windows, glassware from the 16th-19th centuries, rare items of liturgical art, embroideries from the 15th century, paintings by famous artists. Of interest is the only instance of an old typewriter (XI century), the pharmacy of St. Catherine, located on the ground floor.
Book a private transfer from the airport to your hotel in Girona for 2 380 RUB
Cinema Museum
The technical capabilities of modern cinematography well reflect the level of progress in optics, electronics, sound recording, etc. The world way of its development is connected with the appearance of interesting devices, inventions, discoveries. Thanks to the creation of special glasses, new software for calculating complex optical systems, modern cinema lenses have appeared. A collection of such items was created over the course of 30 years by Thomas Mallol. It became the basis for the creation of the first Film Museum in Spain.
He started working in 1998. Over 20 thousand exhibits have been collected during this time. There are 8,000 unique cinema lenses alone, 98 types of cameras, and many devices for making children‘s films. The library stores books, magazines on film art. The archives of the museum contain 10,000 documents, posters, and a video library. The Institute for Film Research operates on the basis of the organization. There are permanent and visiting exhibitions.
Address: Carrer de la Sèquia, 1, 1700.
Museum of Jewish History
The history of Spain is connected with the life of the ancient Jewish community that came to Girona in the 9th century from the town of Castello de Empuries. They created the Jewish quarter, the atmosphere of everyday life, which has been preserved to this day. Despite persecution, persecution, she froze forever in the narrow cobbled streets of Cundaro and Carrer Escola Pia, St. Lawrence.
Here, special windows are still visible in the stone walls, where precious parchments (mezuzahs) with Torah verses were attached. Holding on to them, the inhabitants of the houses prayed. You can see them at the unusual Museum of Jewish History. It is located in the old synagogue and occupies 11 halls. Each presents an exposition of objects corresponding to a specific side of the life of the Jewish people during their life in Catalonia in the period from the 20th to the 15th century.
Numerous documents have been collected explaining the reasons why Girona is called “the cradle of Israel”. How and when the school of cabalists was born in the city (for the first time in the Iberian Peninsula). The Institute of Judaism im. Ben Nachman (philosopher and caballist). During the excursions it is offered to see the whole building, to see the old Jewish building, which keeps the medieval secrets of the community.
Museum of Archeology of Catalonia
The culture of Catalonia combines the traditions of different peoples who have inhabited it since ancient times (Romans, Goths, Jews, Franks, etc.). Proof of their life are ancient cities, architectural monuments and many items found during archaeological excavations.
The most amazing discoveries took place in 1846 at the excavation site of the Roman city of Herund and the old Jewish cemetery. Scientists have confirmed that a rare sarcophagus with ancient epitaphs and a unique mosaic were made in the 4th century. In order to preserve priceless finds in 1857 in Girona (one of the oldest cities in Catalonia, known as Gerona, Herunda, Gerona, Gerunda), the Archaeological Museum began operating in 1957, which became the oldest museum in Catalonia.
It houses a huge collection of artifacts found in and around the ancient city. By subject they cover the time from the first settlement to the Middle Ages. Exhibitions and archives are housed in the monastery of San Pere de Galngans.
Institution address: Carrer de Santa Llúcia, 8, 17007.
Girona History Museum
The rich expositions present all stages of the formation and development of Girona, which appeared in the 1st century. The walls of the restored fortress can tell about the battles, the life of the Romans, the French, the Moors. Spaniards, Jews. The oldest European quarter, Il-Kalle (Jewish), has still preserved the atmosphere of life of people who had a strong influence on the culture and traditions of Girona. The exposition elements are grouped by subject, time and placed in 14 exhibition halls.
The history of the first city of Kherund, the way of life of its population, the development of life in the vicinity are reflected in the collections of preserved artifacts and documents. The thematic proposals of the exhibitions tell about the methods of democratic governance in Girona, the development of technology, the history of the creation of the Sardana dance.
It is proposed to see a unique collection of musical instruments, listen to the life of a modern city or the ancient street Carrer Forca, laid by the Romans. About the Cathedral of the Holy Virgin Mary, the famous symbol of the “immortal city” – the Lioness of Girona. The building is located near the Cathedral.
Jam Museum
Jam, jam, marmalade, sauces, delicious jams are considered a delicacy among all peoples. They are prepared from different fruits, vegetables, nuts according to traditional recipes. It is pleasant to drink tea with them, to try a delicious pie with a filling that does not leak, tasty, neat. It is made from a product called jam. A special kind of jam was known from the writings of Pliny the Elder, written in 77 BC. It looked like jam made with honey.
It is believed that the modern type of confiture appeared in Hungary in the 17th century. The French were the first to use gelatin in the technology of making dessert. A detailed history of the creation of a sweet dish is invited to learn at the Confiture Museum. It is allowed to try the delicacy, take part in its creation, master the recipes of rare marmalades. In the building, restaurants of the city, specialized stores sell different types of confiture, including the famous onion.
Address: Plaça Major, s / n, 17123 Torrent (Girona).
House Museum of Rafael Maso
Along with the ancient architectural monuments of the city, buildings of the 19th and 20th centuries are of interest. Among the famous masters of Spain of this time was the name of the architect Rafael Maso. His style is based on elements of neocentism, combined with the requirements of modern Catalan architecture.
The master was the creator of private villas, rich houses, public institutions (factories, schools, shops). According to his ideas, the cultural center Athenea was built. The most significant work is the house of the Rafael Maso family. This is a beautiful complex of four five-story houses, united by an original facade overlooking the Onyar River. It houses the Rafael Maso Museum.
The interior of the building has been fully preserved and effectively tells the life of the owner. Here it is proposed to see a library, a living room, an embroidery room, a gallery with paintings by famous artists (for example, works by Eugenio Lucas, Velasquez, Goya, Vincent Lopez, Modest Urgel). Now the mansion belongs to the city council. In order to preserve the cultural heritage of the master in 2006, a special fund named after him was created. He participates in the life of the city, cultural events.
Address: Casa Masó, 29 Ballesteries, 17004.
Theater-Museum of Salvador Dali
You can see the works of the brilliant artist, touch the secrets of his life in the halls of three institutions: Gala Dali Castle in Pubol, Salvador Dali's house-museum in Portligat, Dali's Theater Museum in Figueres. Thanks to Dali's efforts, the ruined theater building became the most popular museum in Spain.
According to the idea of the artist, a giant dome was built, the hall area was divided into three parts for exhibitions of works of numerous genres. The foyer is decorated with Dali's work, where he and Gala are washing gold in Figueres. In the crypt under the dome lies a slab of white marble.
This is a tombstone over the embalmed body of the artist. The will was the desire to bury him so that people could pass through this place. The organization began to function in 1961, but the official opening took place in September 1974.
The expositions contain paintings, sculptures, installations by Dali. There are even experimental works on holography. The jewelry exposition presents 39 works made by the master from gold and precious stones. There are also design sketches, drawings.
Toy Museum of Catalonia
The world of children‘s toys is a real planet with its own laws of development, achievements and discoveries. Modern technologies in the field of obtaining new materials, computer capabilities have changed and supplemented it. But always next to the “cartoon” hero in our children you can see a soft hare, a bear cub, etc.
And then a legitimate question arises: “What toys did our great-grandmothers play with?”. It is good if among the numerous kingdom of toys a large and fat bear filled with sawdust has been preserved. But if it is not there, then it is worth visiting the interesting toy museum, located in the old house of Baron Terrades.
He started working in December 1998. The basis was toys from a private collection. Today, the number of exhibits has reached 4,000 units. Among them are mechanical toys, cardboard, metal, animal figures.
Special devices for the visually impaired, small replicas of real cars, dolls, etc. Exhibitions of toys that belonged to famous people (Dali, Lorca) were organized. It is proposed to see the railway made in 1937. A collection of old photographs completes the chronological order of the birth of the toys. There is a figure of a cow in front of the entrance, and the famous classics that our ancestors played are painted on the path. The symbol of the museum is the figure of a cat. Maybe because her gentle purr is heard even in a toy version.