The Ink-Stained Legacy of Girona’s Printers
Tracing the Craft of Printmaking in Girona—from Family-Run Presses to Wooden Type Blocks
Stepping into the Girona History Museum, I was immediately drawn to the exhibits on the city’s rich printing heritage. It’s astonishing to think that for centuries, Girona was a powerhouse of print—a city where words quite literally took shape.
Since the late 15th century, Girona’s presses have churned out thousands upon thousands of printed works: books, pamphlets, official documents, forensic reports, religious goigs, and more. The sheer volume is staggering, a testament to the city’s long-standing relationship with the written word.
What struck me most was how much of this was a family affair. Printing businesses were often handed down through generations—and not just through the men. Women played a vital role, too. Figures like Maria Bro, Maria Figaró, and the Widow Llach weren’t just exceptions; they were leaders in the trade. It’s a part of history that deserves more recognition.
The golden era for Girona’s printers came in the 19th and 20th centuries. Among the most prominent families was the Masó family, who operated their press from the ground floor of their home on Les Ballesteries Street. Their legacy is still very much alive inside the museum.
One of the most evocative artefacts is a wooden drawer cabinet once used to store type blocks—small pieces of wood, each embossed with a letter, that printers would carefully assemble by hand. You’ll also find drawer furniture and wooden typefaces from the Masó printing company dating to the late 20th century, a tangible bridge to a pre-digital world.
Seeing these tools up close, you begin to grasp the craft and precision that printing demanded before the click of a mouse replaced the press. The museum does an excellent job of bringing this story to life.
For those who want to dig deeper, the museum offers an audio guide titled “Printing in Girona: Masó Printing Company’s Printer’s Cabinet.” Additional materials are also available for download via the Visitmuseum website.
Reflecting on Girona’s printing history is a powerful reminder: mass communication wasn’t always instant—it was painstaking, hands-on, and built by people with remarkable skill and dedication.
If you ever find yourself in Girona, don’t skip the History Museum. It’s a quiet but powerful tribute to a city that helped put words on the page—and in people’s hands.