Barcelona - Gothic Quarter Barri Gòtic
The Barri Gòtic extends from the port to the cathedral and from the Ramblas as far as the Via Laietana. It is the oldest part of the city and acquired its distinctive character chiefly during the Gothic period when Barcelona, Genoa and Venice were the most important merchant cities in the Mediterranean and possessed untold riches. However the roots of the city can be traced back to Roman times.
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Must-see attractions nearby:
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Parts of the city wall date from this period and numerous remains of it can be seen.
For 2,000 years the Barri Gòtic has been the spiritual and secular heart of the city. On Mont Tabor, at 12m/40ft the highest point on the old city, stands the cathedral, surrounded by narrow medieval alleys. Close by lived the Counts of Barcelona and the Kings of Catalonia and Aragoàn. Christopher Columbus was received here by the Catholic Monarchs after his first voyage of discovery, and since the 14th and 15th C. the city and provincial administrations have had their seat here. Today the Barri Gòtic is mainly pedestrianized, with many shops selling fashion goods, jewelry, antiques, books, souvenirs, ceramics, textiles, leather goods, etc.; there are also a number of small bars and restaurants.
The Gothic Quarter, in the old town, reveals the wealth of its medieval architecture. Gaudí's magnificent buildings bear witness to the lavish, late-19th-century art-nouveau movement known as modernisme. Not for nothing is the city home to nine buildings that have been declared World Heritage Sites.
For 2,000 years the Barri Gòtic has been the spiritual and secular heart of the city. On Mont Tabor, at 12m/40ft the highest point on the old city, stands the cathedral, surrounded by narrow medieval alleys. Close by lived the Counts of Barcelona and the Kings of Catalonia and Aragoàn. Christopher Columbus was received here by the Catholic Monarchs after his first voyage of discovery, and since the 14th and 15th C. the city and provincial administrations have had their seat here. Today the Barri Gòtic is mainly pedestrianized, with many shops selling fashion goods, jewelry, antiques, books, souvenirs, ceramics, textiles, leather goods, etc.; there are also a number of small bars and restaurants.
The Gothic Quarter, in the old town, reveals the wealth of its medieval architecture. Gaudí's magnificent buildings bear witness to the lavish, late-19th-century art-nouveau movement known as modernisme. Not for nothing is the city home to nine buildings that have been declared World Heritage Sites.
Related Attractions
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Barri del Pí
The little Plaça del Pí leads to a glass-roofed shopping precinct with several streets crossing it; in the Barri del Pi, where it widens out, are a surprisingly large number of art, antique and jewelry shops.
Capella Santa Agata
The Capella Santa Agata in Barcelona, built in the Gothic style on the old Roman town wall, and now a secular building, was once the royal palace chapel. It is also accessible via an open staircase.
The single-naved interior contains a Gothic picture-altar, two Gothic gravestones high up and some priests' cells; the former sacristy has a large iron mechanical clock dating from the year 1576.
The old windows in the choir and gallery show the various coats-of-arms of the counts of Barcelona.
The single-naved interior contains a Gothic picture-altar, two Gothic gravestones high up and some priests' cells; the former sacristy has a large iron mechanical clock dating from the year 1576.
The old windows in the choir and gallery show the various coats-of-arms of the counts of Barcelona.
Chocolate Museum
The museum discusses the history and joys of chocolate. The exhibition takes you from the discovery of the cocoa bean by New World explorers, to commercialization, and chocolate as an art form.
Church of Sans Just i Pastor
Church of Sans Just i Pastor has a single nave and features reliefs on the keystones of the vaults.
Diocesan Museum
The Museu Diocesà de Barcelona possesses a collection of religious art, mainly from the diocesan area, including some remarkable Romanesque works.
Hours
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | Closed | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 11:00 |
| Close | 14:00 | 14:00 | 14:00 | 14:00 | 14:00 | 14:00 | |
| Open | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | |
| Close | 20:00 | 20:00 | 20:00 | 20:00 | 20:00 | 20:00 |
Always closed on:
Epiphany (3 Kings' Day ) - Christian (January 6)
New Year's Day (January 1)
Christmas - Christian (December 25)
Day after Christmas, St Stephen's Day, Boxing Day (December 26)
New Year's Day (January 1)
Christmas - Christian (December 25)
Day after Christmas, St Stephen's Day, Boxing Day (December 26)
Guides
Guided tour available as optional extra.
Facilities
Gift shop
Episcopal Palace
The Palau Episcopal in the Barri Gòtic adjoins the cathedral on the west. It was first recorded as long ago as 926; the oldest parts of the present building date from the 12th, 13th and 15th C. Renovation work was carried out in 1883 and again in 1928. The two round towers on the Portal del Bisbe date from Roman times. The inner courtyard, with its Romanesque arcades, contains a modern statue of Or Lady from the Montserrat.
History of Footwear Museum
On the little Plaça de Felip Neri, to the southwest near the cathedral, stands a pretty Renaissance building which was once the headquarters of the municipal shoemakers' guild. It now houses the Museu d'Història del Calçat which shows, by means of a large collection of examples, the historical development of shoes and shoe-making mainly in Catalonia. There is also a display of shoes worn by famous people.
Hours
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | Closed | 11:00 | 11:00 | 11:00 | 11:00 | 11:00 | 11:00 |
| Close | 14:00 | 14:00 | 14:00 | 14:00 | 14:00 | 14:00 |
Always closed on:
Our Lady of Mercy Celebrations - Spain (September 24)
Catalunya Day - Spain (September 11)
Catalunya Day - Spain (September 11)
Disabled
Full facilities for persons with disabilities.
Guides
Guided tour included with admission.
Museum Barbier-Mueller of Pre-Columbian Art
The Barbier-Mueller Museum of pre-Columbian art has one of the most extensive collections of pre-Columbian art and is considered one of the most prestigious. On display are sculptures, ceramics, textiles, and ritual objects.
Hours
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | Closed | 11:00 | 11:00 | 11:00 | 11:00 | 11:00 | 10:00 |
| Close | 19:00 | 19:00 | 19:00 | 19:00 | 19:00 | 15:00 |
Always closed on:
New Year's Day (January 1)
May Day / Labor Day (May 1)
San Juan Bonfire - Spain (June 20~28)
Christmas - Christian (December 25)
Day after Christmas, St Stephen's Day, Boxing Day (December 26)
Good Friday - Christian (Apr 06)
May Day / Labor Day (May 1)
San Juan Bonfire - Spain (June 20~28)
Christmas - Christian (December 25)
Day after Christmas, St Stephen's Day, Boxing Day (December 26)
Good Friday - Christian (Apr 06)
Disabled
Full facilities for persons with disabilities.
Facilities
Gift shop
Restaurant or food service
Restaurant or food service
Palau Centelles
Built in the 16th century, the Palau Centelles is a Gothic structure which features flamboyant openings in the façade and a Gothic staircase covered by a portico in the courtyard.
Palau Moixó
The 13th century Palau Moixó well-preserves the original feel of the Gothic quarter. It is to the east of the Church of Sans Just i Pastor.
Palau de la Generalitat
Opposite the Casa de la Ciutat, on the northwestern side of the Plaça de Sant Jaume, the main traffic junction in the Barri Gòtic, towers the former Palau de la Diputació, built in the 15th C. and once the seat of the medieval body of provincial representatives. Today it houses the Generalitat de Catalunya, the autonomous government of Catalonia.
Well worth seeing is the imposing inner courtyard in the Gothic style; on the first floor is the Chapel of St George, also Gothic. At the back of the building lies the charming orangery.
The inside of the building is open to the public on 23 April (feast day of Sant Jordi). It is also possible to visit on Saturday or Sunday, but a written request must be made at least fifteen days in advance. For further information about visits, inquire at any tourist office.
To the north it adjoins the Audencia, once the court-house; the Carrer del Bisbe, leading to the Cathedral, is spanned by a charming Gothic building.
Well worth seeing is the imposing inner courtyard in the Gothic style; on the first floor is the Chapel of St George, also Gothic. At the back of the building lies the charming orangery.
The inside of the building is open to the public on 23 April (feast day of Sant Jordi). It is also possible to visit on Saturday or Sunday, but a written request must be made at least fifteen days in advance. For further information about visits, inquire at any tourist office.
To the north it adjoins the Audencia, once the court-house; the Carrer del Bisbe, leading to the Cathedral, is spanned by a charming Gothic building.
Hours
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | Closed | Closed | Closed | Closed | Closed | ||
| Close |
Always closed on:
Our Lady of Mercy Celebrations - Spain (September 24)
Catalunya Day - Spain (September 11)
Catalunya Day - Spain (September 11)
Disabled
Full facilities for persons with disabilities.
Guides
Guided tour available as optional extra.
Plaça de Ramon Berenguer el Gran
Plaça de Ramon Berenguer el Gran features Roman walls and a broken section of the old Palau Reial Major.
Plaça de l'Angel
The Plaça de l'Angel is at the junction of Via Laietana and Carrer Jaume I, which leads from the Plaça de Sant Jaume and continues into Carrer de la Princesa. To the right, just off the wide main street leading to the southeast, can be seen remains of the old town wall, on which stands the Palau de Requesens.
