Girona is a city that honours its traditions, however unusual they may seem. Among bridges, medieval alleys and the majestic Cathedral, there is a ritual that no visitor should overlook if they want to ensure they return to the city: kissing the bottom of a sculpture. We are talking about the emblematic Lioness of Girona (Cul de la Lleona).
Perched atop a column, this stone figure is much more than just a monument. It is at the heart of one of the most deeply rooted and entertaining urban legends in the capital of Girona, a symbol of welcome and, above all, a promise to return. The Lioness has transcended its artistic value to become a cultural icon that perfectly encapsulates the unique and daring spirit of the city.
In this article, we will explore the history behind this curious sculpture, revealing its medieval origins, its original location and how a simple stone figure became a meeting point for tourists and locals alike. You can now book your transfer from Barcelona Airport to Girona with Shuttle2Sun. Their shared transfer services and private transfer services are low-cost and sustainable, allowing you to travel to Girona from Barcelona Airport, Barcelona Port, Girona Airport, Reus Airport and the Camp de Tarragona AVE train station.
The Cul de la Lleona, a Sculpture with Medieval Roots
The figure of the Lioness of Girona, popularly known for its particular pose, was not initially conceived as a tourist monument, but rather as a functional and symbolic element in the medieval urban structure.
Its Original Function
The original sculpture most likely dates back to the 12th century. Its initial purpose was to serve as an ornamental element. The figure was originally part of a former city hotel, the Hostal de la Lleona.
Artistic description
The original piece is a stone relief in the late Romanesque or early Gothic style. The most striking feature is its somewhat naive and stylised representation. It is not a full-body figure, but a stone relief the animal’s body—which looks more like a dog or a schematic feline than a lioness proper—appears to be climbing vertically up the side of the column. Its unusual pose, with its front legs raised and its body arched, exposes its rear end to the public, giving rise to the peculiar tradition.
A 20th-century copy
The sculpture we see today in Plaça de Sant Feliu is, in fact, a faithful 20th-century copy. The original piece was removed in 1986 to ensure its preservation and is kept in the Girona Art Museum (Md’A), allowing the ritual to continue in its original location without damaging the valuable medieval heritage.
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Lioness or Lion? The Feline Dispute over Its Identity
Although tradition and popular name have established it as the ‘Lioness of Girona’ (La Lleona), the actual gender identity of the stone figure has historically been a subject of debate among historians and art experts.
The sculpture lacks the defining attributes that would allow us to state with certainty whether it is a lion or a lioness. In fact, its appearance is often described as similar to a dog or a mythical animal. However, many experts in medieval iconography suggest that, by convention, felines depicted in Romanesque and Gothic art that do not have a defined mane were generally identified as young lions or simply as a schematic representation of a powerful feline.
Despite technical doubts, popular consensus and oral tradition have been stronger than iconographic evidence. The sculpture is, and will remain for the people of Girona, the Lioness of Girona. This name is now an inescapable part of the city’s folklore and is the driving force behind the ritual.
The Legend of the Kiss
The curious tradition of kissing the Lioness of Girona’s rear did not arise overnight; it is the result of centuries of oral history and folklore that have merged into the famous saying we know today.
The most widely accepted version of the origin of the ritual dates back to the Middle Ages, when the sculpture was linked to a nearby inn or tavern, which likely used the figure of the lioness as its emblem or sign.
It is said that, in those days, the Lioness served to test the courage or devotion of travellers, especially those who arrived in the city and wished to show respect for its customs.
One of the most colourful narratives maintains that the lioness was an element of ‘public honour’ for those who, for some reason, had to perform an act of humility or swear allegiance to the city. The Lioness, being in an elevated and visible place, made the act of kissing a public and conspicuous gesture, albeit an embarrassing one.
The current saying: the promise to return
Over time, the meaning softened and transformed into the friendly promise to return that we know today. The popular saying that accompanies the tradition is: ‘Només és de Girona qui li fa un petó al cul a la Lleona’ (Only those from Girona kiss the Lioness on the bottom).
This proverb has turned the act into a tourist initiation ritual. For visitors, kissing the Lioness’s rear (often with the help of a small metal staircase installed next to the column) is not only a fun souvenir photo, but also a way of sealing a pact with the city: the guarantee, according to tradition, that they will return to Girona.
The figure of the Lioness has gone from being a simple medieval relief to becoming a symbol of hospitality and an eternal link with the city. If you would like to join in this tradition, book your transfer to Girona now. Remember that Shuttle2Sun offers shared transfer services and private transfer services from Barcelona Airport, Barcelona Port, Girona Airport, Reus Airport and Camp de Tarragona AVE train station.
