Barri Gotico, Barcelona

This is the most beautiful and most famous part of Barcelona .... the Old Gothic Neighborhood ..... inter crossing ,winding, and cobble stone streets take you back to the 17th century. The neighborhood now is filled with tons of bars, restaurants and shops offering just about anything you would ever want. Be careful at night, some streets are poorly lighted and robbery here at night is not uncommon ... during the day the masses of people are everywhere. We spent an entire afternoon here .... well worth the time to explore all the streets !!!!

4 more images

Barcelona's Old Town, the Gothic quarter, sdtands in contrast with the bustling streets in the rest of the city. This part of Barcelona is not quiet at all, but things go a little more slowly and relaxed. It's the kind of place where you can spend some time walking through narrow alleys, admire buildings from centuries ago and take a small break in a little café. The most recognizable building is the Gothic Cathedral, called St. Eulalia or La Seu. But of course, there are hundreds of buildings from the Middle ages and early Renaissance to admire.

4 more images

The gothic quarter is the area in which the old town of Barcelona is situated. The streets in this quarter of the city vary considerably in style; however, the old quarter is generally characterized by narrow streets and tall old buildings.

4 more images

It's so easy to do the Barri Gotic or Gothic Quarter tour. Just start walking from the Plaza Reial and work your way up til the city hall - a wide plaza - and to the carrer del bisbe irurita and its surrounds where you'll find lots of old buildings and museums, and churches.

Don't forget to enter the big Cathedral of Santa Eulalia where we found live geese inside the cloister around the water fountain.

If you want detailed explanation of the buildings around, then join the walking tour, but if you prefer - like we do - you can always skip the stories and just walk around on your own pace.

4 more images

The centre of the old city of Barcelona. It stretches from La Rambla to Via Laietana, and from the Mediterranean seafront to Ronda de Sant Pere.

We decided to do this tour on our own and surprisingly we did it in few hours.

I went on a food tour with a relatively new company called The Barcelona Taste (www.thebarcelonataste.com). They take small intimate groups around the city to between 4 and 5 restaurants and specialty shops that most would miss. They also talk all about the city, the Gótico neighborhood and the food culture. You eat and drink in each spot and at the end, you've had a seriously substantial and delicious meal. It was a great introduction to the city and the Gothic neighborhood and the recommendations they gave us along the way were all spot on!!

4 more images

My hotel was a few steps away from Placa Nova so I couldn’t start my walk from other part of the city than the heart of Barceona. This is the place where the Roman decided to build their new colony during August’s kingdom (27BC-14 AC). In 1358 the square was holding the city’s hay market and there was at least of the four gates that led to the Forum. Don’t miss some Picasso’s friezes(pic 2) in front of the of the Architects’ Association.

You will pass this square sooner or later because the gothic Cathedral(pic 4) is a must see attraction in Barcelona. Although it started to build in 1298 it finished at the beginning of the 20th century! The facade was added in 1889 and the bell tower in 1913 but both of them were based on patterns of a French architecture from 1408. The cathedral is dedicated to Eulalia of Barcelona, a 13 year old virgin who suffered a lot during the persecution of Christians from the romans (her breast were cut off, crucifixion and decapitation). You can visit the cathedral from 8.00-19.30 for free except 12.00-17.00 when you have to pay 5 euro.

On Tuesday I saw an open market(pic 5) on the square where old things (jewelries, books, vinyl records etc) were on sale. One other day we watched some amazing guys dancing breakdance there (check video).

On the square you can see part of the Aqueduct and the Gate of the roman wall(pic 3). There is an informative sign next to the wall:
“A gate to the city that was altered when building the second eclosing Barcino wall. Entry was through one of the main streets, the decumanus. One of the lateral passageways for pedestrians and the two semircular towers that defended the gate have been conserved(1st-4th centuries AC). Beside we can see the reconstruction of one the aqueducts that carried water to the Roman city of Barcino (end of 1st century)”

After tossing our bags into our room, we wasted little time after checking into the Hotel Majestic. Barcelona was waiting and we were anxious to investigate the medieval district known as Barri Gotic.

Upon arriving, one couldn't miss noticing the soaring beauty of The Cathedral of Barcelona, also known as, La Seu. The Cathedral with its gargoyles and other intricate architectural embellishments is Northern European Gothic in style.

According to my guidebook*, it was constructed between 1298 and 1408; its front facade created in 1870. This is the main center of worship in the city. Inside resides a crypt belonging to Saint Eulalia, one of Barcelona's patron saints.

The medieval village with its circuitous streets and historic buildings surrounds the cathedral. We spent quite a bit of time here popping into some of the shops for souvenirs to take back home to our family, sampling a confection at one of the bakeries and observing the celebration of Le Merce', which is an annual folk festival.

Visitors are welcome to visit the cathedral; there is no admission charge.

*Barcelona City Guide by Lonely Planet