Look straight ahead to the river - that’s where the magic happens! The Houses of the Onyar rise up right over the water, hugging the edge as if they were daring each other not to fall in. Their facades are a patchwork of warm reds, sunny yellows, creamy whites, and rusty oranges. Some windows bulge out, others pull back, each house shaped by years of creative ideas and maybe a little mischief. When the evening lights glow, as you might see now, the whole scene doubles itself in the river below - Girona’s own upside-down world.
Standing here, imagine life centuries ago when these houses started popping up, built on what was once the city’s medieval wall. No two are exactly the same, since everyone wanted a little extra space - so they just kept building out, right over the river! From narrow gaps to broad galleries, the wooden shutters and glass panes seem to play peek-a-boo with the sun and the passersby.
If you look closely, you’ll notice one house that stands out, crisp and white, as if it dressed up special for today - that’s Casa Masó. It was the home of Rafael Masó, an architect who put his own stamp on Girona in the early 1900s. The building’s iconic white face nods to modern style but fits snugly into the jumble of its neighbors.
Let’s be honest, these houses have seen their ups and downs. Once, they may have been more practical than pretty, but after a big facelift in 2010, their colors became the talk of the town. Some people say the shades are perfect, others miss the older look - a true Girona debate! But without a doubt, the view is one of the most recognizable in all of Spain.
So, take a breath, listen to the river, and enjoy the feeling of old stories and new lives in every creak of those overhanging beams. If houses could talk, I bet these would have some wild rumors from centuries past! Shall we wander onward?
