Museo de Historia de Girona

The Museo de Historia de Girona, nestled in the heart of Girona's Old Quarter, is a captivating journey through the city's vibrant past. Housed in the historic Casa Cartellà, which later became the Convent of San Antonio in the 18th century, this museum invites visitors to explore Girona's evolution from Roman times to the modern era.

An Iconic Building

The museum itself is a marvel of historical architecture. Originally a Roman wall dating back to the 2nd or 3rd century, the building evolved into a Gothic mansion owned by the Cartellà family in the 15th century. By 1753, it had transformed into the Convent of San Antonio, a Capuchin friary. Today, visitors can explore the well-preserved convent spaces, including a unique Capuchin cemetery, a cloister, and a stone-vaulted cistern that once stored rainwater for the friars.

The Capuchin Cemetery

The Capuchin cemetery, constructed in 1753, is a rare gem in Catalonia, reminiscent of the Barberini convent in Rome and the Palermo convent in Sicily. Located on the ground floor, this space features eighteen vertical niches where, according to Capuchin rituals, deceased friars were seated until their bodies dried out. After two years, these mummified remains were dressed in religious habits for contemplation and devotion, embodying the Baroque concept of death and eternal life.

Roman Girona

Established in the early 1st century BC, Gerunda was strategically positioned along a north-south communication route. The Romans fortified the city with robust walls, shaping it into a nearly triangular urban center that served as an administrative, economic, religious, and social hub. The suburban area, with grand villas that resembled urban mansions more than agricultural estates, extended about five kilometers from the city center.

Medieval Girona: The Kingdom's Key

Spanning over seven centuries, Girona's medieval history is a tapestry of expansion and transformation. As a border city, ecclesiastical hub, and cultural melting pot, medieval Girona forged a strong identity as a key point in the kingdom. Its inclusion in the Frankish Empire in 785 linked it directly to European centers, establishing its strategic importance as a frontier city until the 12th century, and later defending against northern threats in 1285 and during the civil war in 1462.

Modern Girona: From Workshop to Stronghold

In the modern era, Girona emerged as a principal city in Catalonia, despite a relative decline in population. From the late 17th century, it became a strategic military stronghold due to periodic wars with France. Transitioning from a bustling 16th-century textile production center, Girona evolved into a military capital by the late 18th century, embodying the shift from workshop to bulwark.

Modernism and Noucentisme: 1900-1923

The early 20th century marked a period of demographic, urban, and commercial growth in Girona, reflected in its vibrant cultural scene. The city flourished with literary, artistic, musical, and educational associations, driven by intellectuals like Carles and Darius Rahola, Prudenci Bertrana, and Rafael Masó. With the rise of Modernism and later Noucentisme, Girona became Catalonia's second cultural hub.

Contemporary Girona

The Francoist regime's establishment after the Republican defeat in the Spanish Civil War brought unprecedented historical fractures. In Girona, as across Spain, the first two decades of dictatorship were marked by fear, repression, and economic hardship. Survival became the defining trait of a society under a totalitarian, Spanish-centric political system, mirroring Nazi Germany and Fascist Italy by abolishing democratic freedoms.

Notable Exhibits

Among the museum's highlights is El gran día de Gerona, a monumental painting by Ramón Martí Alsina depicting the 1809 Battle of Girona. Additionally, the museum features the Escudo imperial, symbolizing Girona's fluctuating allegiance between French and Spanish monarchies in the 17th century. The sculpture Imploración by Fidel Aguilar offers a glimpse into the artist's modernist and symbolist influences, while the full-body sculpture of Miquel de Palol by Guinó captures the essence of this prominent figure.

The Museo de Historia de Girona is not just a repository of artifacts but a vibrant narrative of the city's resilience and transformation through the ages. A visit here is a journey through time, offering insights into the rich tapestry of Girona's past and its enduring spirit.