| Barrio Gòtico is the historic center of Barcelona. Here the city Barcino was founded by the Romans. The area has been the religious and administrative center of Barcelona since the Romans arrived in 15 AD.
The Gothic Quarter contains several famous buildings and squares, among those Plaça Reial, Plaça Sant Jaume, Santa María del Pi and the La Sey Cathedral.
Plaça Reial
Was build in connection with the construction of Carrer Ferran in the 19th century, under inspiration from the typical Parisian Squares. This is especially visible in the small passage leading to the sqaure from the Rambla, Passatge Bacardi. The square also has two famous lamp posts made by Antoni Gaudí in 1879.
The Cathedral
The construction of the church was begun by the Catalan king Jaume II in 1298. After four architects had been working there, the church was finished in 1441. However, the facade on the north-west side was not completed before the end of the 19th Century by Oriol Mestres. In the basement, the body of the patron saint of Barcelona, Santa Eulàlia, can be found.
Santa María del Mar
The construction was begun in 1329 and i took only roughly 50 years to build it. It is placed nearby the sea - hence the name: Santa María del Mar (mar means sea in Spanish and Catalan). The area surrounding the church was one of the richest of Barcelona during the middle ages. The district was called Quarter de la Mar and it came into existence during the 11th century along the main street ”De la mar” (nowadays: Argentería).
Santa María del Pi
The basic structure was build between 1322 and 1350 and was to stand outside the old Roman city walls in the district Vilanova del Pi, connected to the Jewish district, El call. The big window in glass is among the biggest in Europe and the bell tower made in stone was one of the highest points in the old city during the middle ages. |