Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
shape and character of Egyptian society, and visitors are given a hugely detailed English-lan-
guage guidebook, which enables you to nail down specific periods and descriptions, case by
case,ifyousowish.Buttherealpleasurehereisaserendipitouswander,turningupitemslike
a wood-and-leather bed of the First and Second Dynasties (2920-2649 BC), some examples
of cat mummies of the Late Period (715-332 BC) or a rare figurine of a spoonbill (ibis) rep-
resenting an Egyptian god (though archeologists aren't yet sure which). There are temporary
exhibitions (extra charge sometimes levied), plus a good book- and gift shop on the lower
floor and a terrace café upstairs. The museum also hosts a full programme of study sessions,
children's activities and themed evening events, from Egyptian banquets to costumed guided
visits.
Jardins de les Torres de les Aigües
C/de Roger de Llúria 56, between c/del Consell de Cent and c/de la Diputació • Daily 10am-dusk, Aug & Sept
Sat & Sun until 3pm • Free • Girona
The original nineteenth-century Eixample urban plan was drawn up with local inhabitants
verymuchinmind.Space,lightandsocialcommunityprojectswerepartofthegranddesign,
andsomethingoftheoriginalmunicipalspiritcanbeseeninthe
JardinsdelesTorresdeles
Aigües
,anenclosedsquare(reacheddownaherringbone-bricktunnel)centredonaMoorish-
stylewatertower.Ithasbeenhandsomelyrestoredbythecitycouncil,whoturnitintoaback-
yard family beach every summer, complete with sand and paddling pool. Another example
of the old Eixample lies directly opposite, across c/Roger de Llúria, where the cobbled
Pas-
satge del Permanyer
cuts across an Eixample block, lined by candy-coloured single-storey
townhouses.
Mercat de la Concepció and around
Between c/de València andc/d'Aragó •Mon&Sat 8am-3pm, Tues-Fri 8am-8pm, July &Augcloses 3pm•
laconcepcio.com
• Girona
The Dreta's finest neighbourhood market, the
Mercat de la Concepció
, was inaugurated in
1888,itsiron-and-glasstram-shedstructurereminiscentofothersinthecity.Flowers,shrubs,
trees and plants are a Concepció speciality (the florists on c/de València are open 24 hours a
day), and there are a couple of good snack bars inside the market and a few outdoor cafés to
the side.
La Concepció
C/Aragó 299, entrance on c/de Roger de Llúria • Daily 7.30am-1pm & 5-9pm • Free • Girona
The market takes its name from the church of
La Concepció
, a block to the west, whose
quiet cloister is a surprising haven of slender columns and orange trees. This was part of a
