Explore the real-world places that appear in Soldiers of Salamis by Javier Cercas. Each location on the map shows what happens there in the novel, the real history of the place, and what's there today. Featured locations include Girona Cathedral, Onyar River Houses, Girona University, El Celler de Can Roca, Jewish Quarter (Call Jueu) and 6 more.
Plaça de la Catedral — Symbol of enduring memory
The narrator, Javier Cercas, walks past the cathedral during his contemplations about memory and history. The ancient stones serve as a metaphor for the persistence of the past, contrasting with his struggle to recover the truth about Rafael Sánchez Mazas's escape during the Civil War. The cathedral's endurance through centuries mirrors the way traumatic memories survive in collective consciousness.
Construction began in the 11th century and continued for centuries, creating a unique blend of Romanesque, Gothic, and Baroque styles. The cathedral witnessed the turbulent events of the Spanish Civil War when religious buildings were targeted by Republican forces.
The cathedral remains Girona's most iconic landmark, housing the famous Tapestry of Creation and serving as a major tourist attraction. Its Gothic nave is one of the widest in the world.
Visit: Girona Cathedral (historic site)
Carrer de la Barca — Colorful facades along the river
The narrator frequently crosses the bridges over the Onyar, using these walks to process his research and interviews about Sánchez Mazas. The colorful houses reflect in the water as he contemplates the layers of history hidden beneath Girona's picturesque surface, wondering how many stories of the Civil War remain untold in these ancient streets.
These medieval houses were built directly on the riverbank, their foundations in the water. During the Civil War, the working-class residents of these houses experienced the conflict's social upheavals firsthand.
The houses are now one of Girona's most photographed attractions, their vibrant colors restored and maintained. Many house restaurants, cafes, and boutique hotels.
Visit: Onyar River Promenade (landmark)
Plaça de Sant Domènec — Where the narrator teaches
This is where the narrator works as a professor of Spanish literature, feeling increasingly disconnected from academic life. His conversations with colleagues about literary theory contrast sharply with his growing obsession with the real story of Sánchez Mazas. The university represents the intellectual world he's torn between - the realm of fiction and criticism versus the urgent pull of historical truth.
Founded in 1991, the University of Girona occupies several historic buildings in the old quarter, including the former Sant Domènec convent. The area has been a center of learning for centuries.
The university serves over 14,000 students across multiple campuses. The historic campus in the city center maintains its medieval charm while housing modern academic facilities.
Carrer de Can Sunyer, 48 — Michelin-starred restaurant
The narrator meets with sources and conducts interviews at upscale restaurants like this, the contrast between fine dining and discussions of war creating an unsettling juxtaposition. These meals represent the comfortable distance of contemporary life from the brutal realities his characters endured during the Civil War.
The Roca family opened their first restaurant in 1986, gradually building it into one of the world's most celebrated dining establishments. The site represents Girona's transformation from a war-torn city to a prosperous cultural destination.
Consistently ranked among the world's best restaurants, it has three Michelin stars and attracts international culinary tourists to Girona. Reservations are notoriously difficult to obtain.
Visit: El Celler de Can Roca (restaurant)
Carrer de la Força — Medieval labyrinth
The narrator wanders these narrow medieval streets while researching, finding parallels between the persecution of Jews in medieval times and the violence of the Civil War. The ancient stones seem to hold memories of multiple tragedies, making him reflect on how history repeats its patterns of hatred and survival.
One of Europe's best-preserved medieval Jewish quarters, home to a thriving community until the 1492 expulsion. The narrow streets and stone buildings date back to the 12th century.
Now a museum and cultural site, the Jewish Quarter attracts visitors interested in Sephardic history. The Museum of Jewish History occupies the former synagogue and ritual baths.
Visit: Museum of Jewish History of Girona (museum)
Central square with porticoed buildings
The narrator frequents the cafés in this square, meeting with elderly residents who remember the Civil War. Under the porticoes, he conducts interviews with people who knew Sánchez Mazas or witnessed events from that era. The square's name - Independence - resonates with his investigation into how people chose sides during the conflict.
Built in the 19th century on the site of the former Sant Agustí convent, the square was designed with neoclassical porticoed buildings. During the Civil War, it served as a gathering place for political meetings and demonstrations.
The square remains the heart of Girona's social life, lined with restaurants and cafés. The covered galleries provide shelter and create an intimate atmosphere for dining and conversation.
Visit: Plaça de la Independència (landmark)
Medieval fortifications overlooking the city
The narrator walks along these ancient walls, contemplating the layers of history beneath his feet. From this vantage point, he can see the entire city spread below, imagining how it looked during the Civil War when these same walls might have provided strategic positions for defenders or attackers.
The walls date from Roman times but were extensively rebuilt in the medieval period. During the Spanish Civil War, Girona's strategic position made these fortifications militarily significant once again.
The walls now form part of a popular walking route offering panoramic views of the city. The archaeological promenade is one of Girona's most visited attractions.
Visit: Girona City Walls (historic site)
Pujada de Sant Feliu — Ancient church with Civil War scars
The narrator visits this ancient church while researching religious persecution during the Civil War. The building's survival through centuries of conflict mirrors the endurance of the stories he's trying to preserve. Inside, he contemplates the sanctuary that Sánchez Mazas and others sought during those desperate times.
Built between the 12th and 17th centuries, Sant Feliu is one of Girona's oldest churches. During the Civil War, many religious buildings were damaged or destroyed, making its survival significant.
The basilica houses important Gothic tombs and serves as an active parish church. Its distinctive bell tower is a prominent feature of Girona's skyline.
Visit: Basilica of Sant Feliu (historic site)
Plaça d'Espanya — Gateway to Barcelona and beyond
The narrator frequently takes the train to Barcelona and other locations for his research, meeting survivors and descendants of Civil War participants. The station represents the connections between past and present, as he travels the same routes that refugees and soldiers once used to flee or advance during the conflict.
The railway connection to Barcelona was completed in the 19th century, making Girona an important transportation hub. During the Civil War, the station was crucial for moving troops and supplies.
The station serves high-speed trains to Barcelona and France, connecting Girona to the wider world. It's a modern facility that replaced the older station buildings.
Carrer de la Barca — Traditional Girona café
The narrator spends hours in cafés like this one, writing notes about his investigation and reflecting on the stories he's uncovered. Over coffee, he processes interviews with elderly residents and contemplates the relationship between journalism, literature, and historical truth. These quiet moments of writing are punctuated by revelations about Sánchez Mazas's story.
Traditional cafés like this have been gathering places for intellectuals and locals since the early 20th century. During and after the Civil War, they served as informal meeting places where news and opinions were shared.
Café Central continues to serve as a local gathering place, maintaining its traditional atmosphere while adapting to modern tastes. It represents the continuity of daily life across historical periods.
Visit: Café Central (restaurant)
Pujada de la Catedral, 12 — Episcopal Palace
The narrator visits the museum while researching cultural life during the Civil War, examining how art and literature survived or were destroyed during the conflict. The museum's collection includes works that span the war period, providing visual context for the stories he's investigating about intellectual and artistic resistance.
Housed in the former Episcopal Palace, the museum building dates back centuries. During the Civil War, many artworks were hidden or destroyed, making the preservation of cultural heritage a significant concern.
The museum displays an important collection of Catalan art from the Romanesque period to the present day. It's located next to the cathedral in one of Girona's most historic buildings.
Visit: Girona Art Museum (museum)
More by Javier Cercas: All Javier Cercas books
Other nearby maps: The Truth About the Savolta Case by Eduardo Mendoza locations map