Gothic Quarter

The Barri Gòtic, also known as the Gothic Quarter, is the oldest part of Barcelona and grew out of the Roman settlement of Barcino. As the core of the Old Town, Ciutat Vella, it is bounded by the promenade La Rambla, Plaça de Catalunya, Via Laietana, and the Mediterranean Sea. The history of the neighborhood goes back to the time of the Roman emperor Augustus, though its present-day appearance is strongly shaped by Barcelona's heyday as a maritime power in the 14th and 15th centuries. Its narrow, winding alleys, which were extensively renovated in the 1920s, are characteristic. Today, in addition to City Hall and the seat of the Catalan government, the neighborhood is home to numerous museums and small shops.

In the Barri Gòtic, you'll find a dense concentration of historic buildings. At the center stands the Gothic cathedral, which was built between 1298 and 1448. Around it are important palaces such as the Palau Reial Major, the seat of the Counts of Barcelona, and the Palau Requesens, whose courtyard preserves a section of the Roman city wall. The Palau de la Generalitat with its elaborate courtyard and the Gothic church of Sants Just i Pastor are also highlights. On the squares, such as Plaça del Rei or Plaça de Sant Jaume, you can trace the political history of Catalonia and Aragon. Quiet spots such as Plaça Sant Felip Neri or Carrer del Call, where remains of the Jewish quarter are still visible, have a special charm.