Between the Pyrenees and the Mediterranean Sea, the comarques of Girona are a vast Catalan region with a rich history and a flourishing heritage. The Network of Museums of the Comarques of Girona includes 26 eclectic museums that bear witness to the cultural and historical wealth of this region. This large number of museums makes it a destination that will delight the curious traveler.
Understanding the history of the Girona region
From prehistoric times to the 20th century, there are many museums that allow enthusiasts to discover the history of this region.
The La Draga Neolithic Park takes us back to the life of the region's first inhabitants, with a rich collection of perfectly preserved tools and objects, and reconstructions of Neolithic huts. TheMuseum of Archaeology of Catalonia in Empúries is the only archaeological site in the Iberian Peninsula where the remains of a Greek town - the colonial enclave of Empòrion - coexist with the remains of a Roman town - the ancient Emporiae.
Lovers of medieval art can visit Girona Cathedral. In the cloister of the west wing, there are magnificent Romanesque pieces on display, including the Girona Beatus, a 10th-century manuscript, and a 12th-century tapestry depicting the Creation. The Museum of Jewish History traces the history of Jewish communities in Catalonia. Fleeing the persecutions of the Roman Empire, the first families settled in the region as early as the 9th century and participated in its economic, scientific and cultural development. The museum houses many testimonies of their life in medieval Catalonia.
Located in Arbúcies in a 17th century building, the Ethnological Museum of Montseny houses 15 exhibition rooms, through which one can discover the way of life of the different communities that lived in Montseny -a massif to the west of the comarques-, from the prehistoric settlers to the modern age
The rooms dedicated to the feudal period house a collection of objects discovered during the archaeological excavations of the castle of Montsoriu, the largest Gothic fortress in Catalonia. Offering a chronological tour through 14 rooms, the Girona History Museum guides us from the city's earliest remains to a tumultuous 20th century with the Spanish Civil War and the transition to democracy, or the synthesis of the archaeology of the Girona territory in the Archaeology Museum of Catalonia in Girona.
Encountering local know-how
For those who wish to discover the customs of a thousand-year-old people who lived between land and sea, there are several places where you can meet the Girona heritage. Three museums allow you to understand the major role that the sea has played in the development of the comarques. The Fishing Museum, located in the heart of the port of Palamós, allows you to learn more about the special bond between the people of Gerona and the sea and to discover the heritage and know-how of the Catalan coast
In L'Escala, the Anchovy and Salt Museum tells the story of the fishing and salting of this blue fish, from the 16th century until its industrial development, which made it famous. The Museum of the Sea of Lloret de Mar has a vast collection of naval models and many tools and objects related to the world of sailing. The Terracotta Museum reveals the secrets of the pre-industrial and industrial production of the famous ceramics of La Bisbal and exhibits the works of the greatest master potters of the Girona region.
La Farinière de Castelló d'Empúries is an old milling factory from the beginning of the 20th century, now transformed into an eco-museum where all the machinery used in the transformation of wheat into flour is on display. At the end of the guided tour, you can taste bread prepared on site. In Ripoll, the Ethnographic Museum highlights the culture and folklore of the Catalan mountain people. Science buffs and those curious about local medicine can visit the Municipal Museum of Llívia, the Darder Museum or the History Museum of Sant Feliu de Guíxols, while painting enthusiasts will be pleased with the La Garrotxa Museum, the Empordà Museum and the Girona Art Museum.
Atypical museums
For travelers looking for a more surprising museography, the Toy Museum offers us to discover a strange collection of games and toys made in Catalonia since the end of the 19th century. From the magic lantern to the cinematograph, the Cinema Museum takes us through the technical evolution that led to the cinema in its current form.
The very interactiveMediterranean Museum has been designed to discover the Mediterranean and its history through the five senses. The program includes music and instruments of Mediterranean cultures and the sound of natural spaces.
FUTURE INFO
When will it take place?
The Girona region enjoys a mild and temperate climate all year round. The months of May, June and September are ideal for avoiding the tourist crowds. A long weekend in winter is perfect for enjoying mild temperatures.
Duration
Thanks to its proximity to the French border and to Barcelona airport, it is possible to spend a cultural weekend here. It is also possible to spend a longer vacation here to enjoy the Mediterranean and to hike in the Pyrenees.
Public
Travelers with a passion for history and art or simply those who wish to take a cultural break between two days at the beach. All the museums of the Comarca Museums Network are open to the public with all the necessary anti-covid facilities. They are fully accessible to people with disabilities and reduced mobility, as well as those with sensory, physical and cognitive accessibility difficulties.
The advantages
Natural landscapes.
The sea and the mountains.
A uniqueheritage.
An eclectic and high qualitycultural offer.
A program of activities-workshops is available in each museum to prolong the immersion.
The minuses
Beware of the high temperatures in summer.
A high number of tourists in July and August.
Useful
NETWORK OF MUSEUMS OF THE COMARCAs OF GERONA - More information on the website, the twitter account or the Facebook page
Tel: (+34) 972 204 637
TOURIST OFFICE OF Girona - More information on the website
Tel: (+34) 972 01 00 01
