Exploring Barcelona Gothic Quarter
Roman Wall
We started the day from walking by Roman walls near the Barcelona Cathedral. The wall remains surround the entire Gothic Quarter are , the original location of the ancient city of Barcino. Barcino was the largest Roman settlement outside of Rome.
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3 Days in Barcelona
Temple d’Augustus.
Hidden in the small courtyard, four large columns were part of the Temple of Augustus built in 1st century AD. I was amazed on how organically part of 2000 years old structures survived through centuries and generations. The temple is a part of Historical Museum of Barcelona, the entrance is free.
Visit Barcelona Cathedral
Beautiful Gothic cathedral located in the heart of Gothic is open for public. The entry cost 7 euros and you can get to the top of the cathedral for additional 3 euros. The cathedral is only open for worships and prayers in the morning, no tourist allowed until 12.30 pm. Unfortunately, the top of the Cathedral was closed. So, we spent some time inside the Cathedral admiring the Gothic architecture and headed to our Gargoyles search.
Gargoyles
As you walk around Gothic quarter look up at the cathedrals and look for animal sculptures hanging on the side of the buildings. Those called gargoyles. Majority of gargoyles created with a purpose of becoming the drains for rain water. These mythical creatures also thought to keep the evil away. I saw a lot of gargoyles in Latin Quarter in Paris that all looks somewhat similar to each other. Unlike Gargoles in Paris that all look alike(in my opinion), all Barcelona gargoyles are unique. You will see goats, ships, lions and even a lizard-like looking gargoyles (on Sagrada Familia).
El Point Del Bisbe
Couple of blocks always from Barcelona Cathedrals, The Bishop Bridge looks just like Sighs Bridge in Venice.
Visit Santa Maria Del Pi Cathedral
The cathedral is beautiful inside, but the most interesting thing inside the cathedral are Santa Maria Del Pi Giants. Located behind the glass on the right side near the cathedral entrance, those wearable dolls are more than 400 years old. They are still carried around during Giants Parade that is part the La Merce Festival.
Coffee and cake at Caelum
Caelum means ”haven” in Latin. This place is truly unique as it sells the pastries and sweets made in monasteries around Europe. All the pastries, sweets, and even coffee distributed and made by monasteries
Visit Via Sepulcral Romana
Ancient Roman cemetery accidentally discovered during ground word in the middle in 1959 and the park was built around the cemetery in 2000. Similar to Temple d’Augustus, The cemetery is also part of MUHBA.
The cemetery was built outside of Roman walls as it was not allowed to have funerals within the city boundaries.
Stop by Església de Sant Felip Neri.
After the cemetery we headed to see Església de Sant Felip Neri, the church with the bloody history.
This Baroque style church located on the plaza that has the same name , Plaça de Sant Felip Neri. The church keeps the memories of the bloody Spanish Civil war. The wholes on the bottom of the building are the result of two Franco’s bombing that killed total of 42 people, including 20 children.
Final thoughts
Rich in history, Barcelona Gothic Quarter is one of the most interesting parts of the city. Exploring Gothic Quarter was a highlight of my Barcelona trip.
