The Treasures of Girona Cathedral – Gifts from God

I´m normally a bit wary about visiting cathedrals and basilicas especially when they are well known tourist attractions. The Sistine Chapel in Rome, Notre Dame in Paris, the Sagrada Familia in Barcelona and Santiago de Compostella in Spain are some examples that spring to mind and reinforce this reluctance. I found them overrun with tourists and not even remotely spiritual. However, I had a pleasant surprise recently during a visit to the Catalan city of Girona near Barcelona which I would like to share with readers.

Girona cathedral contains some of the most impressive treasures I have ever seen. These include the Stained Glass Window of Discovery, standing three meters high and dating from the 13th and 14th centuries. What is particularly astonishing about this work is that it lay hidden behind a wall for over 500 years and was only rediscovered in 2019 during the restoration of the altarpiece. The glass has been painstakingly restored and presents Biblical scenes with astonishing clarity although unfortunately some parts have been lost forever. These depictions were of great importance as most medieval worshippers were illiterate and unfamiliar with Latin the written language of the Church at the time.  

The cathedral also contains the Tapestry of Creation century. This is a remarkable 11th-century Romanesque embroidered panel measuring about 4.15 × 3.65 meters portraying God at the center of the universe. It has been compared with the famous Bayeux Tapestry from France. There is also a part of the cathedral which contains many documents, including medieval bibles written by monks, paintings, crucifixes, chalices and other holy items.

These treasures are remarkable not only for their beauty and value but also because they bring us in touch with our ancestors who were worshipping God centuries ago with the same fervor as we Catholics do today.

Should you be in Barcelona I would urge you to make the 45-minute train ride to Girona and see these miracles for yourself. The cathedral is also popular with fans of the “Games of Thrones” series as some scenes were filmed there.

© John Brander Fitzpatrick 2026