Spanish Voyage :- Barcelona, Barri Gòtic

I think one of Sara’s favourite places in Barcelona must be the many narrow yet unique roads in the oldest parts of Barcelona called Barri Gòtic. With each turn you take, you can see old buildings and new shops exist as one. Every now and then you find a open spanish style square where there could be a cafe, many a time with street performers either playing some instruments or even dancing. There are a couple of really old churches which are quite interesting, but I found the still pale in compression with the ones I saw in Paris.

The Barri Gòtic (‘Gothic Quarter’ in Catalan; Spanish: Barrio Gótico) is the centre of the old city of Barcelona. It stretches from La Rambla to Via Laietana, and from the Mediterranean seafront to Ronda de Sant Pere.

Despite several changes undergone in the 19th and early 20th century, many of the buildings date from Medieval times, some from as far back as the Roman settlement of Barcelona. Remains of the squared Roman Wall can be seen around Tapineria and Sots-Tinent Navarro to the north, Avinguda de la Catedral and Plaça Nova to the west and Carrer de la Palla to the south. El Call, the medieval Jewish quarter, is located within this area too.

The Barri Gòtic retains a labyrinthine street plan, with many small streets opening out into squares. Most of the quarter is closed to regular traffic although open to service vehicles and taxis.

Spend the day and just explore the nooks and cranies of this place. Bring your camera and make sure you have ample battery life and space in your memory card, or if your old school, film.