Barri Gòtic: the cathedral and the Roman walls

Stops along the way

Things to notice.

1. 01

   1

   Catedral de Barcelona

   Go in for the cloister, not the nave — thirteen white geese live there, one for each year of Saint Eulàlia's life, and they have been honking under the palms for centuries. Early, before the queues form on the *plaça* (square).

   01

   Catedral de Barcelona

   Go in for the cloister, not the nave — thirteen white geese live there, one for each year of Saint Eulàlia's life, and they have been honking under the palms for centuries. Early, before the queues form on the *plaça* (square).

   ◉Street View
2. 02

   2

   Plaça de Sant Felip Neri

   A small square off the cathedral side, with a fountain and a church wall still scarred by shrapnel from the civil war. Sit on the bench for a minute; you will likely have it almost to yourself.

   02

   Plaça de Sant Felip Neri

   A small square off the cathedral side, with a fountain and a church wall still scarred by shrapnel from the civil war. Sit on the bench for a minute; you will likely have it almost to yourself.

   ◉Street View
3. 03

   3

   The Call

   The medieval Jewish quarter — *carrers* (streets) so narrow two people barely pass. The Sinagoga Major on *Carrer de Marlet* claims to be among the oldest in Europe. Wander without a map; the whole *barri* (neighbourhood) is only a few blocks.

   03

   The Call

   The medieval Jewish quarter — *carrers* (streets) so narrow two people barely pass. The Sinagoga Major on *Carrer de Marlet* claims to be among the oldest in Europe. Wander without a map; the whole *barri* (neighbourhood) is only a few blocks.

   ◉Street View
4. 04

   4

   Plaça de Sant Jaume

   The civic centre of the city — the *Generalitat* (the Catalan government) on one side, the city hall facing it. This was the Roman forum two thousand years ago. The square fills for *castells* (human towers) on big festival days.

   04

   Plaça de Sant Jaume

   The civic centre of the city — the *Generalitat* (the Catalan government) on one side, the city hall facing it. This was the Roman forum two thousand years ago. The square fills for *castells* (human towers) on big festival days.

   ◉Street View
5. 05

   5

   Temple of Augustus columns

   Duck into the courtyard at *Carrer del Paradís* number 10 — four Corinthian columns from a first-century Roman temple, standing inside a medieval house. Free, often empty, and easy to walk straight past.

   05

   Temple of Augustus columns

   Duck into the courtyard at *Carrer del Paradís* number 10 — four Corinthian columns from a first-century Roman temple, standing inside a medieval house. Free, often empty, and easy to walk straight past.

   ◉Street View
6. 06

   6

   Plaça del Rei

   A near-perfect medieval square, closed on three sides by the royal palace where, the story goes, the monarchs received Columbus on his return. The stone amplifies sound; come early and it is silent.

   06

   Plaça del Rei

   A near-perfect medieval square, closed on three sides by the royal palace where, the story goes, the monarchs received Columbus on his return. The stone amplifies sound; come early and it is silent.

   ◉Street View