Parc de la Devesa

Parc de la Devesa is the largest urban park in Girona, a long green space of about forty hectares beside the Ter river on the edge of the old town. The name comes from an old Catalan word, devesa, for a pasture or common land, and the area was long used as open ground on the outskirts of the city before it was laid out as a park in the nineteenth century. It is known above all for its plane trees, planted in rows along straight avenues, which now form a canopy so thick that the walks are shaded even in the strongest summer sun. The trees are numbered in the thousands, and the great avenues give the park its character, with a cathedral-like effect when the leaves meet overhead.

The park is a place for everyday life as much as sightseeing. Girona residents jog and cycle along the paths, walk their dogs and sit on benches under the trees. Open lawns and sports areas attract families, and there is room for football and other games. On some days the park is also used for markets, and on Saturdays a large market of stalls sells clothing, plants and household goods, which draws people from all over the area. In autumn, the leaves turn yellow and cover the paths, giving the park a completely different mood.

The Devesa is also a venue for events. The Girona Trade Fair and Congress Centre Auditorium, is on the edge of the park and holds conferences and exhibitions throughout the year. The most famous event is Girona Temps de Flors, the flower festival held each May, when courtyards, churches and streets across the old town are decorated with elaborate floral displays, and the Devesa is one of the settings that fill with visitors. Concerts, fairs and festivals take place in the park throughout the year, especially in late spring and autumn.

Girona’s largest park sits just outside the historic centre, and the walk from the Old Town (Barri Vell) takes around ten minutes, so it makes a natural stop on a self-guided walk. It connects the medieval part of the city with the newer districts, and the river path beside it continues in both directions. Girona Cathedral, the Jewish Quarter, El Call, the colourful Onyar River Houses and the Basilica of Sant Feliu are all within a short walk.

Entry to the park is free and it is open at all times. The shaded paths make it a good place to cool off in summer, and the open grass is pleasant on a sunny day in spring.