Girona Wall – Everything You Need to Know
Today, the Girona wall is one of the city’s main attractions along with the Jewish Quarter.
And it’s no surprise.
This Carolingian construction is part of Girona’s identity and offers an unforgettable walk and beautiful views of the city.
Want to know more about the famous Roman wall of Girona?
We tell you everything below.
Historical background of the Girona wall
The first enclosure of this wall dates back to the 1st century BC, coinciding with the Roman foundation of Gerunda. Some studies even suggest it may have been built over remains of an Iberian wall.
While still under Roman presence, this wall was reinforced several times to defend against invaders (such as barbarian raids).
Later, during the Carolingian era (9th to 10th centuries), major renovations were carried out on the Girona wall. Mainly because Girona was a strategic point, right on the border between the Carolingian Empire and the Arab territories.
In the 14th century, the medieval Girona wall emerged.
On one hand, the existing wall (known as Força Vella or old fortress) was consolidated, becoming a fortress inside the city. On the other hand, new walls were built to protect the growing population settling in the surroundings.
Later on, the Girona wall continued receiving renovations, while other parts fell into ruin or suffered damage due to wars.
Today, we can still enjoy these walls that have witnessed the busy and turbulent history of the city.
The Roman wall of Girona: what to expect
Currently, the Girona wall has 4 access points and it’s possible to walk along its ramparts. It also benefits from legal protections as it has been declared a cultural heritage site and a national heritage asset.
To fully enjoy it, the best option is to book one of our tours that include visits to the wall, such as the Jewish Girona Tour or the Medieval Girona Tour.
What can you see when you visit the Girona walls?
Passeig de la muralla Girona (Girona Wall Walk)
This route along the Girona walls is about a 3 km walk.
During this part of the route, you can enjoy the best panoramic views of the city from each of the Girona wall towers.
From this height, you can see the cathedral, the Onyar River, the Jewish Quarter, and the bell tower of San Félix. Also, walking along the top of this wall is an experience worth having in itself.
Jardins de la muralla de Girona (Girona Wall Gardens)
Along our walk on the wall, you’ll discover several gardens.
Some of them are quite hidden, so the best is to have a good guide to show them to you and tell you the history behind each little corner of the wall.
Have we made you want to walk it?
Visit the Girona wall!
Entry to the Girona walls is free, although you can only visit during the established opening hours.
On the other hand, although you can visit on your own, our advice is to book a guided tour. And at Girona Tour, we offer 2 different tours that explore the wall:
- Medieval Girona Tour: in this guided visit, besides the Girona walls, we take you through the Jewish Quarter, the Arab Baths, and Sant Pere de Galligants.
- Jewish Girona Visit: a walk through the Jewish Quarter and the medieval walls of Girona.
What are you waiting for to truly experience the wall, with its anecdotes, history, and legends? Our local guide will be in charge of taking you on this journey through the walls. You’ll see how much they have to tell.
Don’t leave Girona without visiting such an emblematic place.
And, if possible, walk it in our company.