Devesa Park in Girona, covering an area of almost 40 hectares, is one of the largest parks in Catalonia. It is located to the west of Girona’s historic centre and is bordered to the north by the River Ter, to the west by the River Güell and to the east by the River Onyar, with the Güell-Devesa neighbourhood to the south.
It has some of the tallest trees in Catalonia (over 50 metres high) and is home to more than 2,000 plane trees that are over a hundred years old. It is the city’s main green space and the place where many citizens and tourists come to walk, play sports or enjoy a picnic on sunny days, among other activities.
History
It was at the beginning of the 16th century when Ferdinand the Catholic permanently handed over the land that belonged to the crown. This had been done years before by the monarch Alfonso V “The Magnanimous” and, before that, by Queen Maria Victoria. The purpose of these donations was so that the city could “defend itself” from the floods of the rivers Ter, Onyar and Güell, since the land that is now the park once consisted of sediment carried by the waters of the rivers, and where vegetation grew that acted as a barrier against any flooding.
For years, the main economic activity in the area was the planting of trees such as poplars and black poplars for the subsequent felling and sale of timber for military defence purposes. There were also orchards and grazing land. It was not until the mid-19th century that the land began to be used as a walking area and the first plane trees were planted.
In the 20th century, the park became a place fully dedicated to walks, sporting competitions (a swimming pool was the first sporting facility to be built here in 1934), as well as military parades, among other things.
Devesa Park is now an integral part of the city; the trees are better cared for and a wide range of activities are organised here. These include the Fairs and Festivities of Sant Narcis (the patron saint of the Catalan city), the Fira de Girona, which forms part of the Palau de Firas, located in the heart of the park, and the street market held every Tuesday and Saturday.
The park
The trees in the Devesa Park are American-Oriental hybrids and many of them were planted in the mid-19th century. The short distance between the trees has allowed them to reach a height of between 50 and 60 metres. The plane trees are a particular highlight, which are spread out in long rows throughout the park, forming natural avenues or walkways and creating a very colourful landscape.
The central walkway is called Passeig de la Sardana, and a typical route through the park is the one that begins at the entrance, which dates from 1898 and which retains two identical buildings, passing by a fountain and an enclosure with peacocks.
Different species of ducks are a common sight here, especially in the pond in La Devesa gardens, which was created in the 19th-century French style and was designed with the wealthiest people of the time in mind.
In addition to the Palau de Firas, Devesa Park is also home to shooting ranges and model aeroplane activities, the facilities of the Girona Equestrian Society, the Auditorium and Conference Centre, as well as the Fèlix Farró municipal football pitch.
Activities
Shooting, model aeroplane activities, football and horse riding are just some of the things visitors can enjoy at the facilities located at Devesa Park in Girona.
As far as cultural attractions are concerned, the main highlight is the Fira de Girona, which is located within the Palau de Firas, as well as the programme of activities offered by the Auditorium and Conference Centre.
Tuesdays and Saturdays are the days when you can visit the street market to buy all kinds of items. In October, meanwhile, rides are set up for the celebration of the Fairs and Festivities of Sant Narcis, which are held between the end of October and the beginning of November.
