Barry goth. Gothic quarter of Barcelona. Gothic quarter on the map of Barcelona

The Gothic Quarter (cat. El Gotic or Barri Gotico, Spanish Barrio Gotico) is one of my favorite places in Barcelona. Every time I'm in the city, I definitely go there. You can walk along it endlessly, getting lost in the labyrinth of narrow streets and squares lost between them. There is a special atmosphere here. The Gothic Quarter is also just a salvation in the hot Barcelona summer. There is nothing more pleasant at this time than to walk along its shady lanes, feel the stone coolness of medieval buildings and drink something cooling in one of the many cafes.

In my opinion, Barri Gotico is a must visit place. This is not just a separate tourist attraction, but a whole storehouse of architectural masterpieces that together form a small medieval city. Here history and modernity are intertwined, the spirit and heart of Barcelona are embodied.

History of the Gothic Quarter

The history of the Gothic Quarter goes back to the time of the Roman Empire. More than two thousand years ago, there was a small settlement of Barcino, where retired Roman soldiers lived. After the collapse of the Empire, it fell into decay. And only in the Middle Ages, when Catalonia became part of the Kingdom of Aragon (one of the most powerful Mediterranean powers of that time), numerous buildings that have survived to this day were re-erected on this site. Most of them date back to the 14th-15th centuries (although some ancient Roman structures have survived). It is thanks to this medieval architecture in the Gothic style that the quarter got its name.

How to get there

The Gothic Quarter is located in the Old Town (Cuitat Vella) district of Barcelona. It stretches from Plaza Catalunya (Placa de Catalunya) to the Old Port (Port Vell), and from La Rambla to Via Laietana.

There is no metro directly in the Gothic Quarter, but there are as many as 4 stations around it:

Jaume I (L4);
Drassanes (L3);
Liceu (L3);
Catalunya (L1,L3);

You can also easily get there by tourist or city bus - stop Barri Gotic.

What to see

The Gothic quarter is rich in all sorts of sights and interesting places. It is impossible to get around them all in a couple of hours of walking, or even in a whole day. It's hard to recommend anything specific as it depends on your preferences. But I'm sure everyone here will find something to see!

First of all, Barri Gotico is famous for its large number of ancient Gothic temples. The most famous of them: / The names of sights in such lists are best highlighted in bold /

All of them were built in the Middle Ages, but none of the temples has come down to us in its original form. Thus, the Basilica of Le Merce was erected in the 18th century on the remains of a Gothic church, the Basilica of Santa Maria del Pi was completely restored at the beginning of the 20th century after a fire, the Church of Santos Doust y Pastor was partly at the end of the 19th century, and the famous the facade of the Cathedral of St. Eulalia was completed already in the 19th century according to medieval sketches.

The same pseudo-Gothic is one of the most photographed places in the Gothic Quarter - Bridge of Sighs(Pont dels Sospires). It is also called a lace bridge.

It was built in the 20s of the XX century by the architect Joan Rubio and connects the residence of the President of Catalonia with the Government Palace. There is a place on Bizbe street (Сarrer del Bisbe), next to the Cathedral of La Seu. Previously, the residence building was the home of his canon (Casa de la Canonya). Nearby is the house of the archdeacon of the cathedral (Casa de l´Ardiaca), which is famous for its beautiful courtyard, popular with tourists. The courtyard also appeared only in the 19th century. But both houses are really medieval Gothic buildings. Moreover, they were erected on the ancient Roman foundation.

In addition, several buildings from the time of the Roman Empire have been preserved in the Gothic Quarter - the ruins of the settlement of Barcino. The largest surviving fragment is under the King's Square (Placa del Rei). You can go down to the ruins through the entrance to the Museum of the History of the City, located on the corner of the square. The visit is paid (7 EUR).

But you can see the remains of Barcino for free. So, on the New Square (Placa nova) there are fragments of the towers of the city gates of the ancient city and the remains of the aqueduct. Also, next to another square (Villa de Madrid), below street level, you can find a section of the ancient Roman road, framed along the edges by stone tombs.

The main place of Barcino was the forum, in the center of which was the temple of Augustus (Temple Roma d'August). Today, the main place of the Gothic Quarter is located here - Sant Jaume square(Plaça de Sant Jaume), and the remains of the temple of Augustus that have survived to this day are exhibited in the courtyard of the Tourist Center of Catalonia.

Place Sant Jaume hosts a large number of traditional festivals and events. There are also two main buildings of the city: the City Hall (house of the city) of Barcelona (Casa de la Ciutat de Barсelona) and the Palace of the Government of Catalonia (Palau de la Generalitat). Each of them is a masterpiece of architecture and has its own rich history. Both were built in the Middle Ages, but, like many things in the Gothic Quarter, they were rebuilt many times.

Another famous Barri Gotic square is Royal Square(Plaça Real). True, it does not belong to the Gothic at all. The buildings located along the perimeter are built in the classical style, with arches. In the center of the square is an elegant fountain surrounded by palm trees. All this gives Plaza Real a luxurious and somewhat aristocratic look. However, it was intended that way when it was designed and built in the 19th century. Influential people of that time lived here. And although now the public here is much more democratic, the atmosphere of sophistication of the square has preserved to this day. And the restaurants here are not the cheapest.

The highlight of the Royal Square, which cannot be ignored, are the original lanterns, designed by the famous Gaudí.

Plaza Reial is one of the most visited places in the Gothic Quarter. Numerous bars and restaurants are open until late at night.

If you want peace and solitude, then go to the square with a similar name - King's Square(Placa del Rei). There are usually few people here, you can sit in a cafe or just on the steps and enjoy the cool shade from the medieval buildings.

There is also the main museum of the Gothic Quarter - Barcelona History Museum(MUHBA), which presents unique exhibits showing how the city developed from ancient times to the present day.

Another popular Barri Gotic museum is Frederic Mares Museum. It is also known as the Sentimental Museum. This is a museum of sculptures from the ancient Roman period to the 20th century.

In addition to the historical heritage in the Gothic Quarter, contemporary art is also vividly represented. The main place to enjoy it is Gallery Villa de Arte. In it (and nearby on the street) unusual and spectacular sculptures are exhibited, as well as paintings by the best contemporary artists. The gallery is located in the heart of Barri Gotic - behind the Cathedral.

Here, next to the cathedral, in the building of the Royal Art Circle of Barcelona (Reial Cercle Artistic de Barcelona), there is a small but very interesting exhibition of little-known sculptures and sketches of the genius Salvador Dali.

But the main, in my opinion, masterpiece of contemporary art in the Gothic Quarter is a huge photo mosaic by the Catalan photographer Joan Fontcuberta - El mundo nace en cada beso(cat. El mon neix en cada besada), which means "The world is born with every kiss." It is a wall tiled with small photographs of happy moments that together form a picture of a kiss. Photos for the work were donated by the townspeople themselves. There is a mosaic in the square opposite the Cathedral.

Things to do in the Gothic Quarter

The Gothic Quarter has more to offer than spiritual food - it's also a great place to grab a bite to eat. There is a huge number of various bars, restaurants and cafes for every taste and budget. But one place is worth paying special attention to - this is a restaurant. Els 4 gats("Four Cats"). It is famous not only for its cuisine, but for its rich history. The restaurant was opened in the 19th century by the famous modernist artist Pere Romeo in the image of the famous Parisian cabaret "Black Cat" (Le Chat Noir). Els 4 gats instantly became a favorite place for local bohemians. But the main regular of the establishment was Pablo Picasso, which brought popularity to the restaurant. And although in its original form Els 4 gats did not reach us (it was restored in the 70s of the XX century), it still conveys the atmosphere of that time.

Also the Gothic Quarter is a great place for shopping! It is here, and not in shopping centers, that you should go shopping. On the main avenue of the quarter, Avenida del Portal del Angel, you will find many well-known chain stores. And if you go deeper - small creative boutiques of Spanish designers and local shops.

If you are going to walk around the Gothic Quarter, check the calendar. Many spectacular and interesting events take place here. The most famous are the festival in August and (literally "human towers", the central part of the main festival of Barcelona, La Merce), in September.

The Gothic Quarter in Barcelona became known as such relatively recently due to the fact that it contains many buildings made in the Gothic style. This quarter is difficult to pass without attention, for many tourists it is of interest. It is located in the center between Laietana Street and the Rambla, there is a multiple concentration of the city's attractions and cozy restaurants and cafes.

History of creation

BC, on the site of this quarter there was one of the Roman cities, which was surrounded by high walls to strengthen its positions. Then all the buildings inherent in the Romans were built in it: aqueducts, baths, churches and a forum. When in the fifth century A.D. the Westgonians captured the lands, they destroyed most of the buildings and created their temples and stately palaces in their place, but they have not survived to this day.

Interesting and unusual buildings appeared in this quarter in the 14th century. During the Renaissance, no construction activities were carried out, which saved the already built buildings from destruction and new buildings. Thanks to this, you can now appreciate the majestic buildings in a gloomy Gothic style.

Main tourist points

The Gothic Quarter is bounded by Plaça Catalunya, Columbus Avenue and Via Laietana and Rambla boulevards. On its northern side is the favorite place of the famous Pablo Picasso cafe "4 Cats", it appeared in the quarter in the 19th century, and was built by analogy with the Parisian cabaret "Black Cat".

Plaza Nova

We can assume that the Gothic quarter begins with it. New Square was created in 1355 on the site of the city gates. Despite its name, this is the oldest square in the city, where slaves were once traded. Previously, fortress walls passed next to it, they were destroyed long ago, but their remains in the form of two towers can be observed not far from Placa Nova.

On the square you can look at the Bishop's Palace, made in the Baroque style, the facade of which is impressive.

His presence, as it were, acts as a contrast to the more modern building of the College of Architects. The latter building is notable for its large friezes, which Picasso himself worked on, but were brought to life by the Norwegian architect Carl Nesjar. The college was built in 1961.

The square is separated from the Cathedral by the Archdeacon's house, one of its walls contains a fragment of a previously demolished fortress wall. In the 12th century, this building served as the residence of the entire church elite. The building was repeatedly reconstructed, its repair work was carried out in the 16th and 19th centuries, during the last alteration, the house was connected to the building next to it. Because of what, now in one united building one can observe a mixture of styles, there are elements of Art Nouveau, Renaissance and Gothic architecture. Now the building is used as a repository of the city archive.

The central street of the Gothic quarter is Bishopskaya, it has a bridge that connects the House of Canons with the Government Palace. It was created by Joan Rubio and is considered to be the highlight of the Gothic area.

The House of the Canons is unlike any other building due to its unique and unusual layout. It was erected in the 15th century, the recent restoration helped to restore fragments of the interior that had been destroyed from time to time. One side of the building is directed to Carrer Paradis. On the same side are the ruins of an old Roman temple, which was previously erected in honor of Augustus.

This square has become the hallmark of the Gothic quarter, it is the most popular, many tourists visit it every day. Many historical events have previously taken place on it, in addition, bright representatives of the Gothic style are gathered here. The rulers Fernando and Isabella in 1493 met Columbus, who returned from his first voyage.

In the Gothic quarter, it occupies a special place, so important that the quarter itself is sometimes called "Cathedral" - this is its second, not the main name. The building of the cathedral impresses with its architecture, a huge stone structure is literally squeezed into a narrow space. The initial stage of its construction falls on the 13th century, but then its construction dragged on for several centuries. The facade of the cathedral was finally completed only in the 19th century. The cathedral building was erected in honor of Eupalia, who was elevated to the rank of saints in the 4th century, since a young girl of 13 years old was executed by pagans for her Christian faith. In the chapel at the cathedral, 13 white geese constantly live, which symbolize the purity of the martyr and her purity.

The building itself impresses with its power, its Gothic-style towers go high into the sky, there are numerous arches on the facade, the walls are decorated with openwork ornaments.

Sant Jaume Square

This central area in the Gothic quarter is located at the intersection of the main streets of Barcino, it was created on the site of the former Roman forum. Square of St. Jacob is adorned by the city hall, as well as the Government House, near which there is a cozy courtyard with orange trees.

At this place, unusual competitions are held for the construction of castels - towers made of people. On Sundays, everyone here can learn how to dance the national dance - the sardana.

He occupied the House of Clarian-Padellas, this mansion was erected in the 15th century. The museum occupies 4,000 m 2 , right under the square, you can get acquainted with the exhibits of the history of the 1st century AD and trace the development of Barcelona to the 17th century.

It is located behind thick walls, has many courtyards. Some of them are difficult to find if you do not know exactly where they should be. Behind the glass showcases and mills, amazing artifacts are stored in the form of ancient dishes, fragments of historical buildings, their interiors and decorations.

The palace has a Throne Room, which acts as an excellent demonstration material for studying the Catalan Gothic of the late 14th century. From it you can climb the observation tower from which you will have an excellent view of the ruins of Roman buildings and the Royal Chapel, built in tribute to St. Agatha.

Mares Museum

It is often referred to as "Sentimental", as most of its exhibits are sculptures from the ancient Roman period, which falls on the 20th century.

How to get to the Gothic Quarter?

It is located in the very center of the city, many roads lead to it, there is both overground and underground transport, you can also walk to it if you have a lot of free time. You can get there in the following ways:

by a tourist bus that runs along the red route, you must get off at the Barri Gotic stop;
by city bus you can get to the same stop by taking route No. 59, 45, 40, 19, 17 and 14;
by metro, you need to take the L3 line and get off at the Liceu or Drassanes station, and if you use the L4 line, you must not miss the Jaume I station.

If you want to walk around the Gothic quarter, then plan it in advance, allocating as much time as possible.

Gothic impresses everyone on the one hand with its majesty, and on the other with its massiveness and gloom. But the Gothic quarter is notable for the fact that in it you can see not only this style, but also more modern ones, which allows you to significantly expand your horizons in one area and thoroughly study architecture. There is also an opportunity to visit cozy cafes with local cuisine, as well as buy souvenirs, please children with interesting and new toys. Look at street animators and listen to their fellow musicians, and if you wish, learn a traditional dance.

The Gothic quarter in Barcelona is located in the heart of the old city. Its name is explained by the fact that such a number of buildings of Gothic construction, collected in one place, is not found in any city in Europe.

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The Gothic Quarter is the oldest part of Barcelona, dating back over 2000 years. In those days there was a small settlement (about 1 thousand people) surrounded by a fortress wall, called Barcino. In this place, retired Roman soldiers received land and settled, who were engaged in crafts, cultivating lands, growing grapes, and producing wines.

By the 3rd century A.D. the settlement already numbered about 5 thousand people. Houses, temples, baths, aqueducts characteristic of the Romans of that era were built. As the power of the Roman Empire weakened, Barcino gradually fell into decay. The inhabitants were raided by the nomadic tribes of the Suebi, Vandals, Alans, and in the 5th century it was conquered by the Germanic tribe of the Visigoths. Roman buildings were partially destroyed, new ones arose in their place. Periodically, the city passed from one tribe to another. And only when Barcino in the XII century. became part of the powerful Aragonese kingdom, construction and economic growth began.

What to see?

The Gothic quarter is not a separate attraction, but a whole city with narrow labyrinths of gloomy medieval streets, squares, lancet towers of cathedrals, wrought iron bars and colored stained-glass windows. Many beautiful places are concentrated here, combining examples of architecture of the Gothic and Romanesque eras with later buildings.

Plaza Nova

Plaza Nova or New Square opens the entrance to the Gothic Quarter. This is the oldest square in the city, existing since the 14th century. Until that time, it was outside the city limits, it was a thriving market, where they traded not only food, hay, utensils, but also slaves.

Since ancient times, two Romanesque towers have been preserved on it, which were part of the fortress wall - the only defensive structure of the inhabitants of the city from barbarian tribes. To the right of the towers is the 13th-century Archbishop's Palace with a baroque façade. On the left is the Archdeacon's Palace, which now houses the City Historical Archive. You can also see the ruins of an old aqueduct that supplied the city with water. Nearby is the Romanesque Chapel of Santa Lucia, dating from 1275.

The modern building of the College of Architects, which stands out from the general ancient ensemble, attracts attention. On the facade - a decorative composition depicting scenes from the folklore of Catalonia, the work of P. Picasso.

Plaza de San Jaume

The name of the square was given by the medieval church of St. James (San Jaume), which stood here until the 19th century. This is the central square of the city, where the buildings of political power are located: the City Hall (Town Hall) and the Government Palace, political, social events and city celebrations are held.

In ancient times it was the crossroads of the main streets of Barcino, there was a forum. The authorities have been located in this place since the XIV century. The square acquired its modern look at the beginning of the 19th century. Before that, there was a cluster of small shops located between the cemetery and the church. The area was cleared, the benches were removed, the church was moved to the next street, it became spacious and bright.

Cathedral

The Cathedral of the Holy Cross and Saint Eulalia, the oldest building in the city, is the main cathedral. Its construction took 122 years: from 1298 to 1420. The cathedral is a masterpiece of Gothic architecture. Dimensions of the building: 93*40 m. The facade is decorated with sculptures of saints; towers, spiers with coats of arms of knights go up to 80 m. Some of the chapels, located three on each side of the square courtyard, still retain forged lattices of the XIV century. Colored bright stained-glass windows and carved seats were made with great skill.

The center of gravity of the interior is the wooden figure of Christ, which was brought here from the bow of the ship that participated in the battle of Lepanto. It is deformed, has the shape of the letter S, because it took on the impact of the enemy core and saved the ship. Next to the main altar are the tombs of the Catalan rulers, founders, patrons of the temple. From the impressive organ hangs the head of a Turk, reminiscent of the victory over the Muslims.

In the center of the courtyard is a rotunda with a fountain. Snow-white geese floating in the pond symbolize the immaculate purity of Saint Eulalia, the patroness of Barcelona. The poor 13-year-old girl lived by breeding geese. Having the gift of persuasion, she ardently called on the inhabitants of the city to renounce paganism, was persecuted and died as a martyr in the 4th century for the faith of Christ. Geese are always 13 - according to the number of years of a young maiden. In the cathedral since 1339 there is a white marble sarcophagus with the relics of the saint - a real work of art.

Grand Royal Palace

The Grand Royal Palace consists of several buildings, these are: the palace itself, the watchtower of King Martin, the chapel of St. Agatha. The building of the palace was erected in the XII century; it served as the residence of the counts and Aragonese kings. Later, a magnificent throne room was added to it, where in 1493 the monarchs Ferdinand and Isabella received Admiral Columbus, who came from his first trip to the shores of America.

Chapel of St. Agatha with a court chapel is an example of elegant 14th-century Gothic, decorated with a majestic bell tower, stained glass windows and wooden carvings. Inside there is a masterpiece of the Gothic art of Catalonia - the picturesque composition "Retablo del Connetable", consisting of episodes of Holy Scripture. The dominant feature of the palace ensemble is the high watchtower of King Martin of the 16th century built with several tiers of galleries, which gives the square its peculiar character.

City Hall and Government Palace

The building of the City Hall (Town Hall) is located on the Plaza de Sant Jaume, it combines three buildings of different eras and styles. It looks big and majestic. Its neoclassical façade, dating from 1832-36, hides an old 14th-century building, adorned with a Gothic portico with columns and sculptures of great politicians, crowned with the coat of arms of Barcelona.

Opposite the City Hall is the Palace of the Government (Generalitat) - the seat of the current government of Catalonia. The building has several unusual façades: on the one hand, a Renaissance façade, designed by Pere Blai in 1596, on the other, a Gothic façade dating back to 1416, owned by the architect Mark Safont. It depicts a sculpture of St. George - the patron saint of Catalonia, defeating the dragon. Inside the palace is the chapel of St. George, dating from 1425.

King's Square

King's Square is a small space, almost completely enclosed by medieval buildings. This place is always not crowded, it is cool, which allows you to relax and have a good time in a cozy outdoor cafe. It got its name because here is the Grand Royal Palace, located in the depths of the square. On the left is the Governor's Palace (Palau del Llotinent). This is a four-story building with an Italian courtyard, where the king's vicegerents lived, who ruled Barcelona on his behalf. The palace was built in the middle of the 16th century in the Renaissance style.

Now here is the Aragonese Royal Archive, which contains valuable historical documents belonging to the royal dynasty. Opposite is the Palace of Clariana Padellas built in the 15th century. It was repeatedly rebuilt, and acquired its modern look at the beginning of the 20th century. It currently houses the Historical Museum of Barcelona. In its basement halls exhibits of the pre-Christian era are exhibited: fragments of ancient Roman buildings, the temple of Augustus. Next to the Clariana Padellas Palace is the building of the Chapel of Saint Agatha, dating back to 1302. It was erected by order of King Jaime II and his wife Blanca de Anjou.

Frederic Mares Museum

The museum is located in the building of the Royal Palace. It began its existence in 1946, when the famous Catalan sculptor and traveler F. Mares donated his collection to the city. It included unique exhibits from the Roman period to the 19th century.

Currently, the museum consists of three expositions. Sculptures, crucifixes, crosses are exhibited on the ground floor, from pre-Christian times to the 15th century. On the second - exhibits of the XV-XIX centuries. On the third - a unique exposition, called the "sentimental" museum. It consists of utensils and household trifles (dishes, tools, postcards, jewelry, smoking accessories, etc.), which were used in the 15th - 20th centuries.

Roman columns

Roman columns are the remains of the majestic temple of Augustus, which measured 37 * 17 m. It was erected in Barcino on Taber Hill at the end of the 1st century. BC. and glorified Emperor Augustus Caesar. Now there is a tablet on the hill where the temple used to be, and what is left of it is in the heart of the Gothic quarter.

These are four powerful Corinthian columns 9 meters high, which are installed next to the Catalan excursion center and, as it were, squeezed between the walls. They are well preserved: flutes (vertical grooves running along the column) and architrave (base) are visible. In addition to the columns, small fragments of the lower podium part of the building have been preserved.

Jewish houses

The houses of the Jews are located in the Jewish quarter (El Call), consisting of several narrow streets, where the gloomy atmosphere of the Middle Ages is especially felt. Jews were outcasts among Christians, their dwelling place was enclosed by a wall. Christians were allowed to enter the Jewish quarter only during trading days. Now here you can see low houses with small windows, more like prison cells. In some, underground labyrinths and secret doors have been preserved. They were made to make it easier to leave in the event of a pogrom.

During one of them in 1391, the synagogue was badly damaged, it was restored only in the 20th century. Now it is active and available for visiting. You can learn about the history of the life of Jews in Barcelona by visiting the Museum of the History of the Jewish Quarter. Household items of the 13th-16th centuries, manuscripts, books, tombstones have been preserved there.

Carrer del Bisbe Bridge

How the quarter was built

Not all objects of the Gothic quarter appeared here in the Middle Ages, during the heyday of the union of the state of the Aragonese crown, an important part of which was the Principality of Catalonia. The first surviving stone objects were built in antiquity - these are the ruins of the city wall, the palace of Octavian Augustus and the aqueduct in the vicinity of Tapineria Street and New Square. The territory of the future Gothic quarter of Barcelona was most actively developed in the 13th-14th centuries, but since then Barcelona has gone through a series of historical and natural disasters. Old houses burned, came under fire, they were destroyed by earthquakes. As a result, by the 20th century, most of the repeatedly rebuilt buildings required a global reconstruction. Modern architectural monuments are a fusion of Gothic, Neoclassicism and Neo-Gothic, complemented by the skillful work of restorers.

Cathedral of the Holy Cross and Saint Eulalia

Gothic buildings and squares

Barcelona's Gothic Quarter has largely retained its medieval layout, although many of the squares have been enlarged by the demolition of old buildings. Among the most popular sites among tourists is the Cathedral of St. Eulalia, the New Square, the Church of Santa Maria del Pi.

Church of Santa Maria del Pi

Cathedral of the Holy Cross and Saint Eulalia

In the majestic, richly decorated cathedral, the residence of the Bishop of Barcelona, in the center of the quarter, the relics of a 14-year-old Christian girl who suffered at the hands of pagans in the 4th century are kept. The carved spiers of the temple inspired Antoni Gaudí to design the Sagrada Familia. The interior of the cathedral is no less luxurious than the facade, in the courtyard with a fountain and a miniature garden, accessible to the views of visitors, they contain white geese, symbolizing the purity and innocence of Saint Eulalia. The cathedral is open to tourists from 8:00 to 19:30.

Church of Santa Maria del Pi

Located near the Liceu metro station, the 14th-century building is distinguished by its simplicity of form. The stone facade is decorated only with a giant 10-meter rosette, restored to its original form 80 years ago, and a lancet arch above the entrance. Guests and believers are expected in the temple from 9:30 to 20:30. The historical interior of the church was seriously damaged during the fires and the Spanish Civil War, only the seats in the 18th century in the Rococo style have survived, the altar is modern neo-Gothic.

The name should not confuse tourists: in fact, this is the oldest square in Barcelona, completely built up in the 14th century. This is one of the most eclectic architectural ensembles of the Catalan capital. Once it was the outskirts of a Roman settlement, from where aqueducts originated, the ruins of which can still be seen. Next to the ancient ruins is the medieval House of the Archdeacon with modernized gloomy fortification towers. The College of Architecture on the other side of New Square is adorned with modern "rock paintings" - cheerful stylized images of people.

Sights of later eras

On the ruins that could not be restored, the masters of past centuries erected new buildings. Among such works of architecture is the Basilica of Saints Justus and Pastor, located 100 meters south of the Jaume I metro station: the facades were rebuilt in the neo-Gothic style, the interior became neoclassical. The 17th-century Church of San Felipe Neri is famous for its baroque reliefs and façade sculptures. Near Columbus Avenue stands the Church of La Merce, built in the 18th century on the ruins of a Gothic temple. It is known among pilgrims thanks to the wooden figure of Our Lady of Mercy kept inside. This is one of the most revered Catholic sites in the city, having received the privileged status of a small basilica along with the church of Santa Maria del Pi and the Cathedral of Saint Eulalia. On September 23, a cult procession is organized annually in honor of the sculpture. A secular attraction, the Royal Square with a fountain, lanterns designed by Antonio Gaudí, and powerful palm trees appeared only in the 19th century, but this does not prevent it from being a favorite vacation spot for native Barcelona people.

Royal Square of Barcelona

Entrance to the Wax Museum

Museums of the Gothic Quarter

Erotic Museum in Barcelona

The thematic variety of museums in the historical center of Barcelona satisfies the tastes of the most demanding guests of the city. The Gaudi Exhibition Center with the Diocesan Museum of Barcelona, together with the Art Museum and Museum of Frederic Mares, the famous Catalan sculptor, is open a few dozen meters from the Cathedral of the Holy Cross. The Erotic Museum operates near St. Joseph Boulevard, famous for its flower shops. The Wax Museum awaits visitors on the way to Columbus Avenue.

Events in the Gothic Quarter

The small hall of the thousand-year-old church of St. Anne is used for concerts by Spanish guitar masters. On Sundays, in St. James Square, everyone participates in round dances-sardans to the sounds of orchestras of folk instruments. During the days of festivals, competitions for the construction of castell pyramids are also held here. The participants of the competition themselves become the building material for them: 8-10 strong men are placed at the base, representatives of the next level climb onto their backs, and so on up to 10 floors.

Giants' Ball in St. James's Square

Information for tourists

On the borders of the Gothic quarter, there are metro stations 3 lines "Liseu" and 4 lines "Jaume I". From here it is convenient to start exploring Barcelona: the main attractions of the city are located within a radius of 2 km. Restaurants and cafes are open literally at every step: a wide range of national cuisine establishments, thematic projects, such as rock cafes, jazz clubs and the 4 Cats art cabaret are presented. Once upon a time, young Picasso exhibited here, played by Albeniz. Today, the owners of the cabaret are trying to recreate the bohemian atmosphere of the early 20th century: live piano music sounds until one in the morning, and artists perform. The number of boutiques representing world brands is not inferior to the number of restaurants. There are many small but rather expensive hotels on the territory of the quarter.