The Gothic Quarter

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The Gothic Quarter

• Quinn Morris
• January 23, 2006
• France/Spain Miniterm

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The Gothic Quarter (Barri Gòtic)

• The Gothic Quarter is the true heart of
  Barcelona. The oldest part of the city, it was
  the site chosen by the Romans in the reign of
  Augustus on which to found a new town, and has
  been the location of the citys administrative
  buildings ever since. The Roman forum was on the
  Plaça de Sant Jaume, where now stand the medieval
  Palau de la Generalitat, Catalonias parliament,
  and the Casa de la Ciutat, Barcelonas town hall.
  Close by are the Gothic cathedral and Royal
  Palace, where Columbus was received by Fernando
  and Isabel on his return from his voyage to the
  New World in 1492.

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The Cathedral of Saint Creu (La Catedral de la
Santa Creu)

• This compact gothic cathedral, with a Romanesque
  chapel and beautiful cloister was begun in 1298
  by Jaime II on the foundations of two previous
  buildings, one a Roman temple and the other a
  Moorish mosque. The cathedral is dedicated to
  Saint Eulalia, the patron saint of Barcelona.
  Often, there are dances and shows which take
  place in front of the cathedral.

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Seat of the Regional Government(Palau de la
Generalitat)

• Seat of the regional Catalan government, the
  Palau de la Generalitat dates from the early 15th
  century but has been remodeled over the
  centuries. The facade shown is a late 15th
  century development facing onto Plaça de Sant
  Jaume with the original main facade down a narrow
  side-street. The interior is based around a large
  courtyard (formerly a Orangerie) and has grand
  ceremonial rooms and meeting halls.

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City Hall(Casa de la Ciutat)

• Better known as the Ayuntamiento, Casa de la
  Ciutat is located directly opposite the
  Generalitat in Plaça Sant Jaume. There are two
  ways to get in, via the neoclassical-style
  entrance on Sant Jaume or the Gothic-style
  entrance on Carrer Ciutat. Both lead you in to
  the 15th-century Saló de Cent (The Hundred Room)
  where the city's most important ceremonies and
  functions (awards ceremonies, book launches,
  conferences) take place. In the hallway, you'll
  pass impressive sculptures by Pablo Gargallo,
  Josep Llimona and Rebull as well one of Ràfols
  Casamada's paintings dating from 1982.

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Archdeacons House(Casa de lArdiaca)

• Standing beside what was originally the Bishops
  Gate in the Roman wall is the Archdeacons House.
  It was built in the 12th Century, but its
  present appearance dates from around 1500 when it
  was remodeled and a colonnade added. In 1870
  this was extended to form the Flamboyant Gothic
  patio around a fountain. The Modernista
  architect Domènech I Montaner added the fanciful
  marble letterbox, carved with three swallows and
  a tortoise, beside the Renaissance portal. The
  Municipal Institute of Barcelona History is
  upstairs.

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Frederic Marès Museum(Museu Frederic Marès)

• Sculptor Frederic Marès was also a traveler and
  collector and this museum is a monument to his
  eclectic tastes. Part of Royal Palace Complex, it
  was opened in 1948. It contains an outstanding
  collection of Romanesque and Gothic religious
  art, as well as exhibits of clocks, costumes,
  pipes, pinup postcards, etc.

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Royal Palace(Palau Reial Major)

• This royal palaces is believed to be where
  Isavbel and Fernando received Columbus upon his
  return from the new world. It is also where the
  Inquisition sat, believing that the walls would
  move if lies were told. The count-kings of
  Barcelona lived here during the 13th century.

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City History Museum(Museu dHistòria de la
Ciutat)

• Nestled behind the Cathedral, the City History
  Museum tells the story of Barcelona in a series
  of buildings that are interesting in their own
  right. The highlight, though, lies beneath the
  medieval buildings where the Roman city has been
  extensively excavated and preserved. It's
  fascinating and an amazing achievement.