Costa Brava Tourism Guide - Girona Art Museums

Girona Museum of Art

Girona's Museum of Art near the Cathedral is a centre particularly (and no surprise here) for Medieval and Renaissance paintings within its collection. The full remit is here though, from the Romanesque to the 20th Century.

The collection over the years now amounts to 8500 art pieces, and the focus is very much the Girona region. This art gallery is complementary to touring Girona's fine examples of Catalan Romanesque, baroque and Gothic architecture. Indeed the two go together.

Not just paintings are held here, but also furniture, ceramics and glass pieces spread across 18 rooms. Highlights include examples of Romanesque goldsmithing, 'Stations of the Cross by Bartomeu who is responsible for introducing the Gothic style into Catalonia and there are pieces in here by Miquel Blay, considered one of the best of the Modernist sculptors. Checkout the Girona Museum of Art's rather funky website right for listings on temporary exhibitions.

Museu d'Art de Girona, Pujada de la Catedral, 12 17004 Girona. Tel. (00 34) 972 203834. (weblink right)

Museu del Cinema Girona Cinema Museum

Girona's Cinema Museum is a hidden gem not to be missed (and it's easily missed with all the excitement around Girona's architecture). If it's all a bit too crowded around Girona Cathedral and Medieval old town, then head over the bridge to here.

This cinema museum manages to be both a cinema buff's dream whilst at the same time an accessible introduction to the history of cinema dating back 500 years. Actually the museum goes even further back, considering the art forms of the Chinese who were using hand shadows to tell stories 2000 years ago, and later silhouettes. The museum guides you through the history of images from these early origins through to photography, film and television.

Cinema buffs might know that the collection held here in Girona Cinema Museum - the Tomas Mallol Collection of cinematography and precinematographic apparatus is internationally recognised as one of the world's best! A thoughtful purchase by Girona Town Hall in 1994. Interactive, and blending fascinating cinematic artefacts with short films, photography, illusions and holograms (you might spot the odd technique in here used by Dali!), the Girona Cinema Museum is as good a museum for children as it is for adults. You'll come out smiling - it's a real hidden gem, and even the most experienced film historians will probably learn something new from a visit here. Highly recommended, and the Cinema on-site shop is a dream, with some rare postcards, posters and unusual cinema related gifts available. Check the Girona Cinema's weblink right for details and news of temporary exhibitions.

Museu del Cinema Girona, C/Sequia, 1 17001 Girona. Tel 972 412 777. (see weblink right for opening times.