Gerona, “city of the 4 rivers”

Close to Barcelona and situated between the sea and the mountains Gerona enjoys a privileged location. It has the charm and magic of the great cities, but the cosy essence of the villages. The town preserves an antique medieval neighbourhood which rises through shaded alleys of the “Barrio Viejo” up to the imposing cathedral and meanwhile, on the other side of the river, extends the most modern and organized part of the town. On the banks of the river Onyar the most famous image of Gerona is shown, formed by the colourful homes. The Gothic cathedral of Santa Maria (XI to XVIII centuries) is the most relevant architectural element of Gerona, but not by far the only one. The religious architecture counts on numerous examples, like the Monastery of Sant Pere de Galligants (XIII century), the convents of Sant Domenec (XIII century) and of Sant Josep (XVI-XVII centuries) or the churches of Sant Feliu (XII-XVI centuries), Sant Nicolau (XII century) or Sant Daniel (XI century), amongst others. Also, various samples of civil architecture of different periods are present, like the Arabian baths (XII-XIII century), the house Agullana (XIV-XVII centuries), the old palace of Caramany (XVI-XVIII centuries) or the Modernist house Teixidor (1918). But the attractiveness of Gerona is not only limited to history or architecture. The Park of the Devesa is one of the most pleasant urban green areas of Catalonia.

Figueres, the cradle of Salvador Dali

Figueres, capital of the region of the Alt Emporda, covers a floodplain situated within the province of Gerona. The town with deep Catalonian roots and known to be the birthplace of Salvador Dali offers the visitor the possibility to visit the Theatre-Museum Dali, dedicated to the great surrealist painter. Without question one of the historic milestones that has marked the personality of the town was the birth of Salvador Dali. The Theatre-Museum Dali, situated in the old municipal theatre, converts itself into one of the main cultural appointments of the town. Designed by the artist himself it has an important exposition which, through numerous works, allows a tour along the course of he who was considered as the master of Surrealism. The premises were enlarged with the Tower Galatea, where the brilliant painter died. The area Dali Jewels includes the thirty-seven jewels of gold and precious stones of the Owen Cheatham collection, two jewels which were made later on, and the 27 drawings and paintings Dali made for the designs between 1941 and 1970. This exposition illustrates perfectly the different stages in his artistic evolution. The two storeys that harbour the collection of jewels have an independent entrance from the museum so that the visit can be done in a separate way.

Figueres also has an important monumental heritage, where its old medieval walls and the castle of Sant Ferran stand out, as well as abundant examples of Modernist and Neoclassic architecture which appear disseminated through the centre of the town.