A tour through the history of the city
I recently read an article in a newspaper (I don’t know who wrote it) which talked about, among other things, the Girona History Museum. In this article it was stated that only visible fragments of the old Roman wall of the city of Girona were preserved, one of which was in Plaça de Sant Domènec. This information caught my attention as I have been living in this wonderful city for four years and still have a lot to learn. These vestiges seemed very relevant to me because of what they symbolize and because of the little that has survived. So, accompanied by my wife Mei, I went to Plaça de Sant Domènec to see these Roman remains. What a disappointment.
A neglected and forgotten heritage
We found that two segments of what appeared to be an old wall were the only remaining evidence of Girona’s Roman times. No sign, no historical explanation, almost impossible to recognize by anyone standing in front of a historical place. But even more deplorable was the state it was in: weeds all over the base and between the stones, remnants of pruned bushes, dirt of all kinds: empty soda cans, plastic bags, bric containers and even a bicycle wheel half buried. Please let someone (Town Council? Museum of History of Girona?) become aware of this and take the necessary measures to highlight this important part of our city. The Girona sentiment is also manifested by taking care of our past.
A hidden treasure that must be preserved
The Roman wall of Girona is one of the oldest and most significant elements of its history. It was built in the 1st century BC, when the city was called Gerunda and was a Roman colony. The wall had a defensive function and defined the urban perimeter. Over time, the wall lost its usefulness and was partially destroyed or integrated into other buildings. Only a few sections remain, which remind us of Girona’s Roman past and its historical importance. These vestiges are a hidden treasure that must be preserved and valued, because they are part of our identity and our culture. Roman Girona, Girona’s wall, Girona’s history, are concepts that unite us and make us proud to be from Girona.
