Gothic Quarter of Barcelona
The Gothic Quarter of Barcelona is the administrative subdistrict number 2 of the Old Town district. Stretching almost to the coast, the old part of the city consists of an intricate labyrinth of streets, alleys, stairs and arches. Renaissance, Gothic and Neoclassicism are harmoniously combined, giving a unique charm to ancient buildings.
History
It dates back to the times of the Roman Empire, when there was a small settlement of Barsino, surrounded by fortified walls. Little remains of them today. After the earthquake of the 13th century. Many old buildings were destroyed, they were restored and new ones were built. That is why houses built in the 14th and 15th centuries form the bulk of the architectural splendor of the Old Town.
In the Gothic Quarter of Barcelona you can find the oldest surviving house, built in the 12th century. Every piece of land, every building is of historical value and attracts millions of tourists every year.
The temple of the Roman Emperor Augustus suffered serious destruction - time has not been kind to it. There were 4 Corinthian columns left, which suffered the least damage. For safety, they were placed in a specially installed pavilion.
The Royal Palace, restored by the caring hands of skilled craftsmen, appears in all its grandeur. An example of unique Catalan architecture, built in the Middle Ages, harmoniously combines elements of Moorish and European architecture. The facades of the palace are decorated with numerous intertwining arches.
Main attractions
The Gothic Quarter of Barcelona has many places that the locals are proud of. Square of St. Jacob's (San Jaume) - the heart of old Barcelona. Since ancient times, it has been the site of festive events and processions. It is decorated with the Government Palace, made in the Renaissance style, and the city hall in the neoclassical style.
Royal Square was built in the 19th century. In terms of space, it is significantly inferior to Sant Jaume. The clients of the project were the richest citizens. The square is surrounded by magnificent buildings in the style of aristocratic classicism with beautiful arches; in their lower floors there are cafes and restaurants. The Royal Square is decorated with graceful fountains and tall palm trees. This is a favorite vacation spot for city residents. More than one blockbuster film was shot here.
In 1897, the cafe "4 cats" opened - a meeting place for creative people. The architect A. Gaudi and P. Picasso often visited here. During the Franco dictatorship, the cafe was destroyed, but after the change of regime it was restored.
Cathedral of the Holy Cross and St. Eulalia in the Gothic Quarter of Barcelona is the main temple of Barcelona. Eulalia, who accepted in the 4th century. martyrdom from the pagans, is considered the patroness of the city. She was only 13 years old. In memory of her, 13 white geese live in the chapel, symbolizing the purity and innocence of the young maiden. Construction began in the 13th century. and continued until the beginning of the 19th century. The cathedral was built on the site of an ancient Romanesque church, which was also erected at one time in place of the destroyed Visigoth temple. The grandiose building in the Gothic style hardly fits between the narrow streets: the width of the facade is 40 m, and the height of the spire is 93 m. The cathedral was designed by the architect J. Fabray. The building is decorated with towers, arches and openwork walls.
The Jewish Quarter - El Kol, is famous for its synagogue. The quarter was repeatedly subjected to destructive attacks, but the residents managed to preserve and restore the temple.
In Piazza del Pi, local artists exhibit their works. It is especially crowded here on Saturdays, when local farmers bring their goods to sell.
The Bridge of Sighs is most often depicted on memorable postcards of Barcelona. It was built in the 20s of the last century to connect the Presidential Palace with the Government House and is located near the Cathedral.
There are several museums in the Gothic Quarter. Among them is the Museum of the History of Barcelona, which presents exhibits from the times of the Roman Empire to the present day, fragments of ancient temples, household items, interiors and decorations.
In the Frederic Mares Museum - "Sentimental Museum", a magnificent collection of sculptures from ancient to modern times. The Villa de Arte Gallery introduces the works of S. Dali, P. Picasso and other contemporary artists.
The Gothic Quarter of Barcelona retains the chaotic layout typical of medieval cities. Most of the narrow, curved streets are closed to traffic. A leisurely walk along them brings true pleasure to millions of tourists, giving them the opportunity not only to see, but also to touch priceless artifacts.
