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Street · Girona, Catalonia
Cases de l'Onyar
A row of colourful houses overlooking the Onyar river, the best-known image of Girona. The best view is from the bridges, especially the Pont de les Peixateries Velles, the iron bridge made by Gustave Eiffel's company in 1877.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
Discover
About Cases de l'Onyar
The houses that back onto the Onyar were built gradually between the 17th and 20th centuries, most of them in the 19th century, making use of the space above the old eastern wall. Until the late 20th century the façades had faded colours.
The current palette, with 29 colours, came from an idea by local artists Enric Ansesa and James J. Faixó and was applied in 1982. One house stands out for being white: Casa Masó, where architect Rafael Masó was born and which has been the seat of the Fundació Rafael Masó since 2006.
The classic view comes from the bridges. The Pont de les Peixateries Velles, red and made of iron, was built in 1877 by Gustave Eiffel's company from Paris, which won the public tender. It spans the river in a single 41.5-metre opening and has a wooden plank deck.
A few steps away is the Pont de Pedra, made of stone, which links the Barri Vell to the Plaça de la Independència, in the Mercadal. The square has neoclassical arcades and honours the defenders of Girona in the sieges of 1808 and 1809.
Before you go
Practical information
Cidade Turismo reviews its information regularly, but something may have changed. Check with the place before planning your trip.
How much time to set aside
About 20 to 40 minutes, crossing the bridges and walking along the banks.
Best time
At late afternoon and in the evening, with the houses' lights reflected in the river. On windless days the still water usually gives the best reflection.
How to get there
On foot. The Pont de les Peixateries Velles links the Rambla de la Llibertat in the Barri Vell to the Mercadal riverbank. It's about a 15-minute walk from the train station.
Tip
To photograph it, go to the middle of the Pont de Pedra or the Pont de les Peixateries Velles. The Rambla de la Llibertat, parallel to the river, is the natural route between the two bridges.
Get your questions answered
Frequently asked questions about Cases de l'Onyar
Have the houses always been colorful?
No. The current colors, in a palette of 29 tones, were applied in 1982, based on an idea by the artists Enric Ansesa and James J. Faixó.
Is the red bridge really by Eiffel?
It was built in 1877 by Gustave Eiffel's company, which won the public contract for the work. That's why it's also called Pont Eiffel.
Why is one of the houses white?
It's the Casa Masó, where the architect Rafael Masó was born. The white façade makes the building stand out; today it houses the foundation that bears his name.