Monday 11 February 2008

Walking tour - Gothic Quarter

On Foot. Approximate duration: 3 hours.



The Gothic Quarter is what used to be known ago as the "Cathedral Quarter". The great gothic buildings which marked the high point of the city and its culture during the Middle Ages are to be found here. Here likewise, are the remains of the ancient fotified walls and palaces built by the Romans on the "Mons Taber" such as, the temple dedicated to Augustus. Our itinerary begins in the Plaça Nova.

We list below all the points of interest of the Gothic Quarter:


1- Portal del Bisbe
Flanked by two round towers from the ancient Roman wall and on one side of the present Bishop's Palace.

2- Palace Episcopal (Bishop's Palace)
Carrer del Bisbe Irurita. Built at the end of the 12th Century and the beginning of the 13th Century.

3- Plaça de Sant Felip Neri
(Past the Bishop's Palace and to the right). One of the most lyrical places of the city.

4- Casa de l'Ardiaca
Carrer de Santa Llúcia. Built on the Roman walls during the 15th Century as a residence for the Archdeacon of the Cathedral. The cloister-type patio with its gothic fountain is noteworthy.

5- Interior of the Cathedral
Three cruciform aisles and twenty-nine lateral chapels in one of which Cristo de Lepanto is verenated. Noteworthy: The choirstall which features both medieval and rennaissance elements.

6- Cathedral cloisters
Beautiful central garden with palm-trees and magnolias. Interesting wrought-iron work.

7- La Pietat dorr
Entry to the Cathedral cloister. Pieta carved in wood, flamenco school.

8- Casa dels Canonges
Gothic building from the 14th Century now restored.

9- Centre Excursionista de Catalunya
Carrer de Paradís, 10. The Roman columns from the temple dedicated to Augustus are kept inside.

10- Palau de la Generalitat
Gothic building from the 15th century. Joined to Casa dels Canonges by the aforementioned passageway. Orange grove. St. George Chapel.

11- Casa de la Ciutat or City Hall
Next to the Neo-Classical facade (19th Century) there is a lateral gothic facade (14th Century) and some levely steps. "Saló de Cròniques" with paintings by Josep Ma. Sert and the historical "Saló de Cent".

12- Plaça del Rei
This is the most handsome section of Barcelona. It a square outlined by gothic buildings toped by the facade of the former main Royal Palace and its watchtower - a true skyscraper for the 16th Century.

13- Casa Clariana-Padellas
Houses the "Museu d'Història de la Ciutat"

14- Palau de Lloctinent
Gothic building embellish with rennaissance elements. The craftmanship of the stairways in worth noting.

15- Casa de la Pia Almoina or de la Canonja
Plaça de la Seu, beside the Cathedral. Forner seat of charitable foundation set up at the beginning of the 11th Century.

16- Plaça de Ramon Berenguer el Gran
Equestrian statue in bronze representing Ramon Berenguer III.

17- Ancient medieval synagogue


You can rent an apartment in the Gothic Quarter from walking distance of all these points of interest.

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