Two Weeks in Spain - May 2014 - Girona

The town of Girona, about an hour and a half outside of Barcelona by train, still retains most of its Medieval character, which makes it my favorite type of town to explore.  It's a world away from Barcelona.  We happened to be there just in time for the 59th edition of the annual Temps de Flors, a flower festival where what seems like the entire town - even the river - is decorated with fresh flowers.

There were floral displays everywhere. 

I've always liked wandering around Medieval towns, with their narrow cobbled streets and passageways.

The Cathedral of Saint Mary was quite impressive.  This first image is just a small chapel before you get to the main part.

The Cathedral is said to have the widest Gothic nave in the world, with a width of 72 feet, and perhaps even the second widest overall after St. Peter's Basilica in Roma.  Construction of the current church was started in the 11th Century, and completed in the 18th Century, although usage of the site as a place of worship goes back even further.

The Cathedral was one of the few places in town not decorated inside with flowers, but they did cover the 90 steps up towards the facade with a display.

The Romanesque cloister of the Cathedral was equally impressive, all the more so with the flowers.

The 12th Century "Arab Baths" was filled with floral displays. The Romanesque construction was inspired by the ancient Roman style.

We were there on the second day of the week-long festival, and it was jammed with people. Even the trains heading there from Barcelona were packed.  But it was well worth it.  Even without the Temps de Flors Girona would be a fun place to visit.  Add in the flower festival and a lot of bright Spring sun, and you really could not ask for a better way to spend a day.

Click here to see more images of Girona, Spain, including lots more detail from inside the Cathedral of St. Mary.