Girona is situated in the Ter valley in north eastern Spain near the French border. Owing to its strategic location on the main route between the Pyrenees and Barcelona, the city has been fought over many times since it was founded and at the beginning of the 19th century underwent a 7 month siege at the hands of the Napoleonic forces. As a result, the governance of Girona has changed hands on several occassions during its long history and this is reflected in the variety of architectural styles found in the city.
Such a mix of cultures makes the city an incredibly interesting and beautiful place to visit. It is currently home to a population of approximately 80,000 people and is the main administrative, market and industrial centre for the surrounding region.
Barcelona, the capital of the Catalonia region, is not far from Girona and takes approximately one hour to reach. To the East of Girona is the Costa Brava on the Mediterranean Sea, which boasts dramatic coastline scenery, sheltered coves and excellent beaches.
