gironaJ

October 24, 2009

"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.

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Fires_i_Festes_de_Girona.zip (6208 KB)

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Filed under // Barraques concerts Devesa Devesa Park Festes Fires fireworks Girona Sant Narcis sardanes

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September 29, 2009

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.

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Filed under // Devesa park exhibition fair fireworks Girona Sant Narcis

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May 10, 2009

Girona Flower Festival

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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Girona_Flower_Festival.zip (11213 KB)

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Filed under // Arab baths Cathedral Cathedral gardens Devesa Park Flower Festival Girona Old City walls Temps de Flors

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January 4, 2009

Devesa Park to Sant Daniel walk

A perfect walk, especially on a warm and sunny day, starts from the Devesa Park, the largest public park in Catalonia, which is close to the centre of Girona and bordered by the River Ter. Head for La Copa which is outside the smaller of the two Tourist Information offices and is a meeting place for taking tours of the city. From here walk across the pedestrian bridge with great views of both Sant Feliu church in the foreground and Girona Cathedral further back up the hill. Head to the left of Sant Feliu (the church with the top of it's spire missing) and when you come to the Archeology Museum (in another converted Romanesque church) follow the road on the left which runs parallel to a stream.
Now we are in the Sant Daniel valley where you pass the Font del Bisbe a water fountain that come from underground sources discovered in Roman times, the water is highly mineralised but very refreshing in the hot summer months. Less than a kilometre along this valley we come to the Monastery of Sant Daniel which an ancient building and is still in use today.
From here be sure to find the sign that says Castell de Sant Miquel which is where the countryside begins and the going gets a bit tougher.