As you make your way to stop number 3, keep your eyes peeled for something a bit unusual! You’ll spot the remains of the Convent of San Francisco de Asís not as a towering church, but hiding in plain sight inside some of Girona’s modern shops. Look for those beautiful, pointed arches made of old stone, standing quietly behind glass and fashion displays-a curious blend of medieval mystery and modern chic.
Now picture this: it’s the 1200s. The air is filled with the gentle sound of chanting monks and the clatter of sandals on stone floors. The convent was once full of life, with friars moving about, and the community growing larger with every decade. This wasn’t just any old monastery-its church was consecrated in 1368 and grew so important that even the Pope took notice. In 1666, Pope Alexander VII gave the convent a special connection to Rome, granting it the same religious perks as the grand Archbasilica of Saint John Lateran.
But time plays tricks. Imagine the tension in the air as the city changes, and parts of the old convent disappear, bit by bit. Where you’re standing now, only a handful of gothic arches remain, cleverly woven into shops that line Avenida de San Francisco and Calle Nueva. Shop owners, proud of this peculiar history, make sure the arches stand out-so you get to walk through history while searching for a perfect handbag!
It’s hard not to chuckle at the thought: monks once whispered prayers here, and now you might overhear someone debating which purse matches their shoes.
If you turn your attention to other corners of Girona, you’ll find pieces of the convent scattered about, like a giant Lego set: some arches ended up in Casa Solterra, others in the church atrium at S’Agaró. All these fragments hint at a much grander world lost beneath your feet.
Long ago, this community was packed with friars-up to seventy living, studying, and praying here at once. The sound of turning pages in the convent library must’ve been constant, the shelves stacked with precious books from as early as the 1400s. Imagine rare manuscripts glowing in the candlelight!
And here’s a bit of drama for you: when Girona’s streets expanded and religious orders changed, the convent was pulled apart and only these traces survived. Through war, politics, and changing times, these stubborn stones refused to be forgotten.
So, as you stand in front of these arches, look closely-and you’ll see old Girona winking back at you, inviting you to discover its secrets with every step forward.
