Tuesday, September 14, 2021

Girona, Day 2

After our big day Monday, we slept late and then just wandered around Girona, seeing what we could see. We started with rolls and coffee in a little plaza in the middle of Old Town, checked out the popular big bike store Eat, Sleep, Cycle at the far end of Old Town, crossed the river, and came back through the Parc de la Devesa, where we happened upon the weekly market with everything you could think of--produce, meat, cheese, household goods, clothes, shoes...

Back to the apartment for a nap, laundry, dinner, and some route planning. Marc sent us maps for three bike loops we can do around Girona, and we have several suggested routes from other sources. We also reassembled the bikes and recycled the boxes.

We have a large studio apartment just on the edge of Old Town, with a garage for the bikes and a washer and dryer downstairs. It is good to be settled for a week.

We bought enough fresh veggies and cheese for the week at the market in the park.

We came around the corner at the edge of Old Town and saw this incredible building. Back at the apartment, I did some research and found that it is the La Casa de la Punxa (1918-1922). The architect, Rafael Maso (1880-1935), was at the forefront of the Art Nouveau movement in Spain. Most of his work was done in Girona, where he was born and returned after studying in Barcelona. 

Details like this green ceramic roof are distinctive marks of Maso's style. As we explored Girona throughout the week, we found it easy to spot many of his buildings. There is something about truly exceptional design like this that just makes my heart sing.