{"id":667322,"date":"2022-02-24T14:59:00","date_gmt":"2022-02-24T11:59:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/tourism.com.de\/?p=667322"},"modified":"2022-01-31T15:04:08","modified_gmt":"2022-01-31T12:04:08","slug":"gothic-quarter-in-barcelona-history-photo-description-route-how-to-get-there-map","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/tourism.com.de\/en\/gothic-quarter-in-barcelona-history-photo-description-route-how-to-get-there-map\/","title":{"rendered":"Gothic Quarter in Barcelona – history, photo, description, route, how to get there, map"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Gothic quarter in Barcelona<\/a> is located<\/a> in the heart of the old city<\/a>. Its name is explained by the fact that such a number of buildings of Gothic construction, collected in one place, is not found in any city<\/a> in Europe.<\/p>\n

Story<\/h2>\n

\"Gothic<\/a><\/p>\n

The Gothic Quarter is the oldest part<\/a> of Barcelona<\/a>, \u200b\u200bdating back over 2000 years. In those days, there was a small settlement (about 1 thousa<\/a>nd people) surrounded by a fortress wall, called Barcino. In this place, retired Roman soldiers received land and settled, who were engaged in crafts, cultivating lands, growing grapes, and producing wines.<\/p>\n

By the 3rd century A.D. the settlement already numbered about 5 thousa<\/a>nd people. Houses, temples, baths, aqueducts characteristic of the Romans of that era were built. As the power of the Roman Empire<\/a> weakened, Barcino gradually fell into decline. The inhabitants were raided by the nomadic tribes of the Suebi, Vandals, Alans, and in the 5th century it was conquered by the Germanic tribe of the Visigoths. Roman buildings were partially destroyed, new ones arose in their place. Periodically, the city passed from one tribe to another. And only when Barcino in the XII century. became part of the powerful Aragonese kingdom, construction and economic growth began.<\/p>\n

What to see<\/a>?<\/h2>\n

The Gothic Quarter is not a separate attraction, but a whole city with narrow labyrinths of gloomy medieval streets, squares, lancet towers of cathedral<\/a>s, wrought iron bars and colored stained-glass windows. Many beautiful places<\/a> are concentrated here, combining examples of architecture of the Gothic and Romanesque eras with later buildings.<\/p>\n

Plasa Nova<\/h3>\n

\"Gothic<\/a><\/p>\n

Plaza Nova or New Square opens the entrance to the Gothic Quarter. This is the oldest square in the city, existing since the 14th century. Until that time, it was outside<\/a> the city limits, it was a thriving market, where they traded not only food, hay, utensils, but also slaves.<\/p>\n

Since ancient times, two Romanesque towers have been preserved on it, which were part of the fortress wall – the only defensive structure of the city residents from barbari<\/a>an tribes. To the right of the towers is the 13th-century Archbishop's Palace<\/a> with a Baroque fa\u00e7ade. On the left is the Archdeacon's Palace, which now houses the City Historical Archive. You can also see the ruins of an old aqueduct that supplied the city with water. Nearby is the Romanesque Chapel of Santa Lucia, dating from 1275.<\/p>\n

\"Gothic<\/a><\/p>\n

The modern building of the College of Architects, which stands out from the general ancient ensemble, attracts attention. On the facade – a decorative composition depicting scenes from the folklore of Catalonia, the work of P. Picasso.<\/p>\n

Plaza de San Jaume<\/h3>\n

The name of the square was given by the medieval church of St. James (San Jaume), which stood here until the 19th century. This is the central square of the city, where the buildings of political power are located: the City Hall (Town Hall) and the Government Palace, political, social events and city celebrations are held.<\/p>\n

In ancient times it was the crossroads of the main streets of Barcino, there was a forum. The authorities have been located in this place since the XIV century. The square acquired its modern look at the beginning of the 19th century. Before that, there was a cluster of small shops located between the cemetery and the church. The area<\/a> was cleared, the benches were removed, the church was moved to the next street, it became spacious and bright.<\/p>\n

Cathedral<\/h3>\n

\"Gothic<\/a><\/p>\n

The Cathedral of the Holy Cross and Saint Eulalia, the oldest building in the city, is the main cathedral. Its construction took 122 years: from 1298 to 1420. The cathedral is a masterpiece of Gothic architecture. Dimensions of the building: 93*40 m. The facade is decorated with sculptures of saints; towers, spiers with coats of arms of knights go up to 80 m. Some of the chapels, located three on each side of the square courtyard, still retain forged lattices of the XIV century. Colored bright stained-glass windows and car<\/a>ved sea<\/a>ts were made with great skill.<\/p>\n

\"Gothic<\/a><\/p>\n

The center<\/a> of gravity of the interior is the wooden figure of Christ, which was brought here from the bow of the ship that participated in the battle of Lepanto. It is deformed, has the shape of the letter S, because it took on the impact of the enemy core and saved the ship. Next to the main altar are the tombs of the Catalan rulers, founders, patrons of the temple. From the impressive organ hangs the head of a Turk, reminiscent of the victory over the Muslims.<\/p>\n

\"Gothic<\/a><\/p>\n

In the center<\/a> of the courtyard is a rotunda with a fountain. Snow-white geese floating in the pond symbolize the immaculate purity of Saint Eulalia, the patroness of Barcelona<\/a>. The poor 13-year-old girl lived by breeding geese. Having the gift<\/a> of persuasion, she ardently called on the inhabitants of the city to renounce paganism, was persecuted and died as a martyr in the 4th century for the faith of Christ. Geese are always 13 – according to the number of years of a young maiden. In the cathedral since 1339 there is a white marble sarcophagus with the relics of the saint – a real work of art.<\/p>\n

Grand Royal Palace<\/h3>\n

\"Gothic<\/a><\/p>\n

The Grand Royal Palace consists of several buildings, these are: the palace itself, the watchtower of King Martin, the chapel of St. Agatha. The building of the palace was erected in the XII century; it served as the residence of the counts and Aragonese kings. Later, a magnificent throne room was added to it, where in 1493 the monarchs Ferdinand and Isabella received Admiral Columbus<\/a>, who came from his first trip to the shores of America.<\/p>\n

The chapel of St. Agatha with the court chapel is an example of elegant 14th-century Gothic, decorated with a majestic bell tower, stained-glass windows and wooden carvings. Inside there is a masterpiece of the Gothic art of Catalonia – the picturesque composition “Retablo del Connetable”, consisting of episodes of Holy Scripture. The dominant feature of the palace ensemble is the high watchtower of King Martin of the 16th century built with several tiers of galleries, which gives the square its peculiar character.<\/p>\n

City Hall and Government Palace<\/h3>\n

\"Gothic<\/a><\/p>\n

The building of the City Hall (Town Hall) is located on the Plaza de Sant Jaume, it combines three buildings of different eras and styles. It looks big and majestic. Its neoclassical fa\u00e7ade, dating from 1832-36, conceals an ancient 14th-century building, adorned with a Gothic portico with columns and sculptures of great politicians, topped with the coat of arms of Barcelona<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"Gothic<\/a><\/p>\n

Opposite the City Hall is the Palace of the Government (Generalitat) – the sea<\/a>t of the current government of Catalonia. The building has several unusual fa\u00e7ades: on the one hand, a Renaissance fa\u00e7ade, design<\/a>ed by Pere Blai in 1596, on the other, a Gothic fa\u00e7ade dating back to 1416, owned by the architect Mark Safont. It depicts a sculpture of St. George – the patron saint of Catalonia, defeating the dragon. Inside the palace is the chapel of St. George, dating from 1425.<\/p>\n

King's Square<\/h3>\n

\"Gothic<\/a><\/p>\n

King's Square is a small space, almost completely enclosed by medieval buildings. This place is always not crowded, it is cool, which allows you to relax<\/a> and have a good time in a cozy outdoor cafe. It got its name because here is the Grand Royal Palace, located in the depths of the square. On the left is the Governor's Palace (Palau del Llotinent). This is a four-story building with an Italian courtyard, where the king's vicegerents lived, who ruled Barcelona on his behalf. The palace was built in the middle of the 16th century in the Renaissance style.<\/p>\n

\"Gothic<\/a><\/p>\n

Now here is the Aragonese Royal Archive, which contains valuable historical documents belonging to the royal dynasty. Opposite is the Palace of Clariana Padellas built in the 15th century. It was repeatedly rebuilt, and acquired its modern look at the beginning of the 20th century. It currently houses the Historical Museum of Barcelona. In its basement halls exhibits of the pre-Christian era are exhibited: fragments of ancient Roman buildings, the temple<\/a> of August<\/a>us. Next to the Clariana Padellas Palace is the building of the Chapel of St. Agatha, dating back to 1302. It was erected by order of King Jaime II and his wife Blanca de Anjou.<\/p>\n

Frederic Mares Museum<\/h3>\n

The museum is located in the building of the Royal Palace. It began its existence in 1946, when the famous Catalan sculptor and travel<\/a>er F. Mares donated his collection to the city. It included unique<\/a> exhibits from the Roman period to the 19th century.<\/p>\n

Currently, the museum consists of three expositions. Sculptures, crucifixes, crosses are exhibited on the ground floor, from pre-Christian times to the 15th century. On the second – exhibits of the XV-XIX centuries. On the third – a unique exposition, called the “sentimental” museum. It consists of utensils and household trifles (dishes, tools, postcards, jewelry, smoking accessories, etc.), which were used in the 15th – 20th centuries.<\/p>\n

Roman columns<\/h3>\n

\"Gothic<\/a><\/p>\n

Roman columns are the remains of the majestic temple of Augustus, which measured 37 * 17 m. It was erected in Barcino on Taber Hill at the end of the 1st century. BC. and glorified Emperor Augustus Caesar. Now there is a tablet on the hill where the temple used to be, and what is left of it is in the heart of the Gothic quarter.<\/p>\n

These are four powerful Corinthian columns 9 meters high, which are installed next to the Catalan excursion<\/a> center and, as it were, squeezed between the walls. They are well preserved: flutes (vertical grooves running along the column) and architrave (base) are visible. In addition to the columns, small fragments of the lower podium part of the building have been preserved.<\/p>\n

Jewish houses<\/h3>\n

The houses of the Jews are located in the Jewish quarter (El Call), consisting of several narrow streets, where the gloomy atmosphere of the Middle Ages is especially felt. Jews were outcasts among Christians, their dwelling place was enclosed by a wall. Christians were allowed to enter the Jewish quarter only during trading days. Now here you can see<\/a> low houses with small windows, more like prison cells. In some, underground labyrinths and secret doors have been preserved. They were made to make it easier to leave in the event of a pogrom.<\/p>\n

During one of them in 1391, the synagogue was badly damaged, it was rest<\/a>ored only in the 20th century. Now it is active and available for visiting. You can learn about the history<\/a> of the life of Jews in Barcelona by visiting the Museum of the History<\/a> of the Jewish Quarter. Household items of the 13th-16th centuries, manuscripts, books, tombstones have been preserved there.<\/p>\n

Basilica of La Merce<\/h3>\n

\"Gothic<\/a><\/p>\n

The Basilica of La Merce is located on the square of the same name, dedicated to Our Lady of Mercy. It stands on the site of the Gothic Church of St. Michael, belonging to the Order of the Mercedarians, which was formed by the monks in 1218 after the appearance of the Virgin Mary to one of them. Their goa<\/a>l was to free Christians captured by Muslims. By the 18th century the temple was destroyed, and in its place in 1765 – 1775 a small church of Our Lady of Mercy was built.<\/p>\n

The remains of the Church of St. Michael were used in its design. The dome is crowned with a bronze statue<\/a> of the Virgin and Child. Above the entrance to the Basilica is a round stained-glass window that lets in soft light. The interior decoration is great. Its main relic is a miraculous wooden statue of the Virgin. There is a belief that in the 17th century she saved the inhabitants of Barcelona from the plague.<\/p>\n

Where is the Gothic Quarter and how to<\/a> get there<\/a><\/h2>\n

The Gothic Quarter is located in the center of the old town between Pla\u00e7a Catalunya and the waterfront. To his left is La Rambla, to his right is Via Laietana. There are several metro stations around, from which you will need to walk 10-15 minutes. The closest ones are:<\/p>\n

You can also get by tour<\/a>ist or city bus (14, 17, 19, 40, 45, 59), to the Barry Gotik stop.<\/p>\n

Gothic Quarter in Barcelona on the map<\/a><\/h2>\n