Summer Stroll...La Muralla and Jardi dels Alemanys

Sunday morning is the perfect time to wander through Girona. People tend to sleep in a bit, so often one can find the streets fairly empty until quite late in the morning. I took the kids for a walk on the city wall (La Muralla) and we ended up in one of our favorite spots, the Jardi dels Alemanys.

We usually start the wall walk near the playground just south of Plaza Catalunya. The playground is on the corner of Carrer del Carme and Pujada de les Pedredes and the stairs to the wall are next to the playground. I suggest leaving the prams/strollers and scooters at home as there are several sets of narrow stairs. My kids have been doing this walk for many years and though I had to help them with the stairs when they were very young, it is the prefect walk for all ages.

The views from the wall are spectacular and kids will enjoy running down the narrow path and climbing the stairs to the various tower outlooks. The views allow you to really get a sense of the entire city and lay of the land.

Building of the wall began in 1B.C. and the walls were changed and remodeled throughout the centuries. The walls protected the city of Girona and saw countless battles over the years. It is easy for children to imagine why a wall of this size and stature would have been important for the protection of the city and they love peeking through the small openings in the rock. 

 There are several towers along the walk and we always climb all of them. The tallest tower, Torre de Sant Domenec, offers fantastic views of the city and the mountains in the distance and my kids always love looking at the rooftops and private gardens below. 

 I always have my kids imagine what it would have been like for the soldiers and residents of Girona whose job it was to be on the look out for intruders. 

 The path along the wall eventually leads you to one of our favorite spots in Girona, the Jardi dels Alemanys. The gardens contain the remains of the barracks built for German soldiers in the 17th century. Girona was under constant attack from France and barracks were needed to house the troops who defended the area. Most of it is ruins, but the facades of the main buildings still remain. 

 This area is the perfect spot for kids to run around. More often than not they are fairly deserted and kids can play hide-and-go-seek or just roam around the grounds while parents take a break. This past Sunday there was a beautiful violin player and we just sat and listened to the music. It is a great place to bring a small picnic and relax in the shade of the trees.