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I illustrate with this series of photographs for La Vanguardia Readers’ Photos the beautiful legend of the Cul de la Lleona in Girona. On a smooth column 3.72 meters high, we see a lioness whose, according to tradition, you have to touch her butt (or in another version, you had to give her a kiss) either to be a good Girona native or, If we are visitors, to ensure that we will make another visit to the city, as explained by the City Council.
The animal turns its head with its eyes wide open, its tail is tied around the spine and, as depicted, it is not clear whether it is male or female.
Carles Vivó, author of Llegendes i misteris de Girona, explains that “although the animal clearly represents a male lion, due to unknown zoological ignorance, it was first confused with a monkey (perhaps by agilely climbing the column) and later with a lioness, as has been established by citizen tradition”. “It is unknown if it was a transvestite animal,” he points out.
In the city of Girona, other lions can be found, such as the one that crowns the column dedicated to the heroes of the French sieges in the Plaza del Mercat, those of Enric Monjo on the facade of the Banco Vitalicio on Gran Via de Jaume I, the which serves as a nozzle in the Font dels Lledoners or the lionesses in the Pont de Pedra.
The original lioness column is preserved in the Girona Art Museum and dates back to the 12th century. A copy was placed on January 3, 1986, in front of the church of Sant Feliu, although the one currently there is from 1995.
This sculpture of the lioness was found attached to an old hostel on Calle Calderers, the gateway to the city for travelers from France.
For many years, strangers entering the city were warned: “No pot ser veí de Girona qui no faci un petó al cul de la lleona” (You cannot be a resident of Girona who does not kiss the lioness’s ass). . This is how this gesture became common among travelers who visited the city.
