Barri Vell de Girona, Medieval quarter in Girona, Spain
Barri Vell is a medieval quarter in Girona featuring narrow cobblestone streets lined with stone buildings in warm earth tones. The old town spreads across both banks of the Onyar River and displays a tightly woven network of structures with defensive walls from multiple periods.
The district grew from the foundations of a Roman settlement and took shape through defensive walls built in the 9th century. During the Middle Ages, it developed into a significant urban center with churches, noble houses, and a thriving Jewish quarter.
The Jewish quarter preserves the presence of a community that shaped the old town's streets and buildings from the 9th through 15th centuries. Walking through the narrow lanes today, you can sense how daily life unfolded in these tight spaces.
Wear comfortable shoes because the cobblestone streets are uneven and involve many ups and downs throughout the quarter. Early morning or late afternoon visits work best for avoiding crowds and experiencing the architecture in better light.
A red iron bridge designed by Gustave Eiffel spans the Onyar River to connect the old quarter with the modern city. This structure offers a striking contrast between the medieval buildings and 19th-century engineering that visitors often discover by accident.
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