Roses, Girona, is known as the “City of Roses” due to its long history of rose cultivation. The city’s gardens, parks, and alleyways are brimming with different varieties of roses, making it a utopia for nature lovers. It’s no surprise that Roses is home to the famous ‘Ciutadella de Roses’, a botanical park dedicated to the preservation and exhibition of over 10,000 different rose species.
Walking through the winding streets of Roses, the scent of roses fills the air, overwhelming your senses with their irresistible fragrance. Lush and colorful rose gardens line the pathways and plazas of the town. Roses, Girona, is the ideal location to experience a rose-filled getaway like no other.
The love for roses runs so deep in the city that they hold an annual festival called the “Fiesta de la Rosa” every May. Roses’ residents and visitors come together to celebrate the start of the summer season by adorning the city’s streets, shops, and buildings with hundreds of thousands of roses in vibrant shades of pink, yellow, and red.
The festival’s highlight is a parade through the streets, featuring floats designed solely with roses as a decoration. The party spills out into the plaza, where live music, traditional Catalan dances, and street performances commence. This annual festival is a testament to the deep-rooted affection for roses within the community of Roses, Girona.
But, Roses is not just about celebrating roses. The city also offers a rich cultural history that dates back to the Roman empire. Roses has survived invasions, wars and at times, it was isolated due to its location on the coast. However, it has emerged stronger, and has embraced the best of different cultures that settled in the region, such as the Greeks, Romans, and Visigoths.
Roses’ Citadel and its walls, which overlook the majestic Bay of Roses, are a testament to the town’s history. The Citadel’s construction was initiated by the Romans in the 2nd century BC, with later additions by other cultures that have left their mark over many centuries. The complex houses a Museum on the Mediterranean, which offers a glimpse of life and history in the region.
Another renowned attraction is the ruins of Empuries, a Greek and Roman settlement that once prospered in the region. The ruins are situated just outside the city and provide a unique insight into the ancient past of the city.
Roses is a perfect destination for an unforgettable getaway. The city’s profusion of roses and cosmopolitan culture offer visitors a fantastic experience. From the stunning views of the Bay of Roses, to the Citadel and its history, to the annual Festival of Roses, Roses, Girona, is the city that promises to mesmerize, excite and delight.