Girona's Cocollona: History, legend, and mystery under the Eiffel Bridge

The Cocollona of Girona It's one of those legends that, although not included in official history books, are part of the city's secret soul. Girona, with its medieval alleys, its walls, and its rivers, holds memories not only in its stones, but also in its stories. And among them all, few are as symbolic, disturbing, and powerful as that of the Cocollona.

Although today thousands of visitors cross the famous Peixateries Velles Bridge, designed by the Eiffel company, almost no one knows the story that, according to tradition, is hidden just beneath: the appearance of a hybrid creature, half nun, half mythological being, that still roams the waters of the Onyar River on wet or foggy nights.

The origin: a silenced nun

The legend of the Cocollona of Girona It probably emerged between the 16th and 18th centuries, at the height of the cloistered convents. According to oral tradition, the protagonist was a nun who, for being different, was punished. She didn't fit into the rigidity of religious life. Perhaps she was a dreamer, introspective, or simply rebellious.

As a result, she was condemned to isolation and silence. Over the years, this seclusion transformed her soul. And when she died, far from finding peace, her spirit became a legend. Thus, La Cocollona was born.

The transformation: from oblivion to myth

After her death, her figure was reinterpreted in the popular imagination. The silenced nun became a fantastical creature: scaly, with a serpentine body and wings, either fish or butterfly. This metamorphosis turned her not only into a symbol of the misunderstood, but also into a silent warning of the power of repression.

Unlike other European mythological creatures, the Cocollona is not feared, but respected. She is neither aggressive nor terrifying; rather, she conveys melancholy. Therefore, her image has endured over time, and today represents the voice of those who could not speak.

The setting: Eiffel Bridge and Onyar River

The location of the river is no coincidence. The Onyar River, besides physically dividing Girona, has for centuries symbolized the border between the visible and the hidden. Eiffel Bridge, built in 1877, unites these two sides of the city.

Right there, according to those who have seen it, the Cocollona glides gently through the water, leaving only a reflection and a sudden silence. Some think it's an optical illusion; others claim it's real. In any case, the legend is part of Girona's emotional landscape.

La Cocollona today: more than a story, a lesson

Currently, the history of the Cocollona of Girona It has been restored as part of the city's intangible heritage. It's not just a legend, but a valuable educational and cultural tool.

In HistARy GironaWe've incorporated this figure into our guided and self-guided tours. Why? Because her story allows us to discuss history, gender, exclusion, and memory. Furthermore, thanks to augmented reality technology, visitors can see La Cocollona in 3D, listening to her story while exploring the spaces that shaped her origins.

For schools: education with legends

In the educational field, the Cocollona is also a teaching resource. Its story allows us to explore topics such as:

The role of women in convents in the modern age
Legends as forms of collective memory
The symbolism of punishment, silence and transformation
The analysis of folklore as a social reflection

Our content is tailored to primary and secondary school students, with teaching materials that combine history, technology, and narrative.

Conclusion: What whispers under the bridges

The Cocollona of Girona It's not just a fantastical creature. It's the personification of imposed silence and transformative resistance. Like the Onyar River, its history flows between the real and the mythical, between the hidden past and active memory.

On our tour of HistARy GironaThis legend comes to life. You don't just see it: you hear it, you understand it, and, above all, you remember it. Because getting to know a city doesn't just mean exploring its monuments, but also paying attention to what it whispers… right under its bridges.

Learn more about this story on our full Girona tour:
https://histary.es

Also, don't forget our tours of HL Comedy Tours.