Barri Gòtic

Now at the southern edge of La Rambla and the Columbus monument, we started to walk towards the gothic quarters, Barri Gòtic. Barri Gotic is situated just to the east of La Rambla. It mainly consists of narrow pedestrian streets edged by old, small houses, far from all in gothic style. Many tourists walk there since there are many shops. Small squares with streets artists and galleries are common in Barri Gòtic. As this is the oldest part of Barcelona, there is a certain medieval atmosphere from the time when Barcelona was a small Roman town called Barcino.


Placa Reial. The heart of Barri Gòtic, just next to La Rambla.


Placa Reial.

Important government buildings.


Carrer Ferran.


Placa George Orwell.


Catedral Gotica, the gothic cathedral of Barcelona. Sadly it was under renovation during the year of visit, and sadly there was tasteless advertising for natural gas on the scaffolds.


The cathedral is 90m high to the top of the spire. Construction started in 1298, but wasn't finished until the 19th century (it still looks unfinished though).


Església de Santa Maria del Pi. We had a small break in this gothic church.

Just northeast of Barri Gòtic:

Palau de la Música Catalana. Designed by Lluís Domènech i Montaner and completed in 1908, this magnificent concert hall is one of the modernista architects' greatest works. We didn't have any opportunity to see the extravagant interior, but the exterior is also extraordinary and has mosaic pillars and brick vaults.


Place Lluis Millet. Just next to the concert hall.


Laietana. A busy street leading from Barri Gotic to Placa Catalunya.