GIRONA CATHEDRAL

Girona's cathedral is one of the great churches of Spain. Begun in 1312 on the site of an earlier church (and before that a mosque), it has evolved over the succeeding centuries into a triumph of different architectural styles, coming together to create a unifying and satisfying whole.

The best way to approach the cathedral is via the huge rococo staircase leading up to its Renaissance facade, an exquisite piece of stone carving with floral reliefs and sculptures of saints supporting the central rose window. Inside, the cathedral is dominated by its single Gothic nave, at 23m the widest in Europe. Other features to look out for include the 11^th century alabaster altarpiece (a remnant of the earlier church) and the embossed silver canopy above the high altar.

The Museu Capitular (cathedral museum) contains an illustrated 10^th century manuscript of the Beatus, or Commentary on the Apocalypse and the 11^th century Tapestry of the Creation. The ticket to the museum also gives access to the 12^th century Romanesque cloisters, with a view of the original bell tower, Torre de Carle many, skilfully incorporated into the 14^th century Gothic design.