The Araya's Experience - Day 3 - Girona and Besalu

 One of the great things about a city like Barcelona is the plethora of excursions that are possible within an easy day's drive. For example, Girona and Besalu. Despite the slightly overcast skies, in stark contrast to the brilliant blue skies of the previous day, our drive up through the rolling farmlands of the Catalan countryside was thoroughly enjoyable. Besalu awaited amongst the dormant volcanoes of La Garrotxa, a 10th century walled city and one of the key towns of early Catalonia. Proof of its importance lies in the Romanic Bridge, an 11th century construction which has been carfeully rebuilt through the ages. The 105 meter long bridge was one of the earliest fortified constructions, but the town is a treasure vault of buildings and streets. the Curia Real, the Monastery of Sant Pere, the Jewish quarter and the Hospital of Santa Julia are some of the buildings waiting to be discovered.

Girona was next on our list, and another jewel of architecture, history and legend. After counting the 93 steps up to the Cathedral, a walk through the widest single nave church in Europe was in order, with special emphasis on the newly restored Creation Tapestry, an 11th century tapestry. A walk along the old city walls, with scenic views from the tower over the valley (the sun was making a valiant attempt to break through) and through the steep and narrow steps of the Jewish Quarter, until we final reached the Eiffel ... Bridge. Built by the famous French firm just a couple of years before the Tower was constructed in Paris, it is one of the 4 bridges that spans the Onyar river. Lunch included learning how to peel shrimp and a delightful apple pie before we returned back to Barcelona with cameras full of pictures and a day full of memories.

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