In the Plaça Nova, in Barcelona's Gothic Quarter, almost touching the wall of the former Roman city, seven giant letters contrast with their historic backdrop. They are part of the alphabet created by Joan Brossa to spell out the word Barcino, the principal name of the Colonia Iulia Augusta Faventia Paterna Barcino, which was the origin of present-day Barcelona. The letters, six of them made of bronze and one of aluminium, are bolted to the ground and make up a fun and original display, very much in keeping with this Barcelona-born artist's visual poems
The building now known as the Palace of the Bishop is the first building of the new episcopal Barcelona that rises walled city of Barcelona, using the utensils inside the Roman walls. The New Square, opened in front of the Porta Praetoria of Roman wall, known as the Portal del Bisbe. It was created in 1355 when the water was channeled to Collserola Sant Jaume Square demolishing buildings facing the Portal del Bisbe, then we gave the name of New Square.
The Casa de l'Ardiaca, the residence of the ecclesiastical hierarchy from the 12th century onwards, has undergone many alterations over the years, such as the ones carried out in the early 16th century which connected the building with the dean's residence. This was also the period when the porticoed central courtyard was built and the Renaissance-style decorations, which tie in with the flamboyant Gothic style of the original building, completed. A staircase leads to the upper terrace, a balcony in the purest Romeo and Juliet style.
The narrow, labyrinthine streets of the Gothic Quarter come out into this unexpected spot. A tiny square with a charming little fountain in the middle and overlooked by the baroque church of Sant Felip Neri. On one side, you can see the buildings that once housed the city's shoemakers' and coppersmiths' guilds, which moved here from their premises on Carrer de la Bòria and Carrer de la Corribia, respectively.
A Gothic basilica and the two picturesque squares that surround it form one of the most enchanting corners of the Gothic Quarter. The old cemeteries that surrounded the 14th-century church are now small squares where painters and artisans exhibit their works.
The Conjunt Monumental de la Plaça del Rei in Barcelona is, arguably, the Gothic architectural ensemble which best exemplifies the city's medieval past. The royal palace, the Palau Reial Major, and its surrounding buildings, enclose a harmonious and peaceful square which is still imbued with Barcelona's splendour during the Middle Ages.
As you explore Barcelona's Gothic Quarter you'll come across one of the city's best-kept secrets in a building on Carrer Paradís. Inside a small medieval courtyard, the four columns from the Temple of Augustus have survived despite the passing of the centuries. They are more than 2,000 years old, like Barcelona itself.
Basilica de Santa Maria del Mar The Basilica Santa Maria del Mar is considered the real cathedral of the Old Town since it has been founded and constructed in Medieval times by the people of the neighborhood themselves. It is an emblem of Catalan Gothic art and a must-to-see spot of the Gothic Quarter.
The street called Carrer de Montcada is today the most important area of medieval civic architecture in the city. It starts with the Romanesque Marcus chapel (12th century) and finishes at Plaça del Born. It used to be all one single street until the 19th century when it was divided into two by the opening of Carrer Princesa in 1853. Its name derives from the important Montcada family from Barcelona who, it appears, received the land in the 12th century for the support lent to King Ramon Berenguer IV by Guillem Ramon de Montcada during the conquest of Majorca.
Amazing tour with Germans who brought the Gothic Quarter to life with deep knowledge of history, architecture and fun facts. She went above and beyond calling an olive oil shop to help select some oil to bring home. The drinks and tapas at the end were a perfect finish!
Our guide Ariana was the best! So lovely to spend the time with and so knowledgeable about her city! We adored her!!
Been living in Barcelona 4 years but Aaron showed me parts I had never seen before and learned so many things. So enjoyable, I would recommend this tour to local & tourist, alike. Well worth it.
We had a really cool guide, she really knew her stuff. We made a parenting error having our kids at the beach all morning, then doing a walking tour in the evening. Thus we each were carrying a child in the heat. So, if you have small children set yourselves up for success learn from my mistake hahaha.
Excellent tour with great stories about the history of Barcelona. Food was plentiful enough. Saw lots of back roads and things we hadn't noticed before.
Very positive: I booked this tour to discover the Gothic quarter and learn more about its stories and legends. The tour guide was very good and engaging, I liked that. Also, finishing the tour in a tapas bar was great. Negative: While the description said it will be a 3,5 hours walking tour (or 2,5 hours as contradictory written in the tour description as well), we only did 1:45h and then entered the tapas bar. Also we did not walk into the Born area though it was advertised as well.
My husband and I took this tour in May (2018). Our guide, Giovanna was absolutely fantastic. She was so knowledgeable about the history of the Gothic quarter, and made history come to life. She was enthusiastic, very friendly and her English was impeccable. This tour was one of the highlights of our Barcelona vacation.
Had booked this tour before we got to Barcelona and we were really looking forward to it. We rushed over to the meeting point and there was no one there. We waited and checked with other tour groups if we were, in fact, at the right meeting place. Eventually, we were directed to another tour company to take a similar tour and we left. Even after I contacted Viator and Icono, they admitted they didnt go to the meeting place, as we were the only people who had booked that day! Furious, as we wasted our time waiting around and had no prior notification that Icono wasnt going to show up!
<p>Our guide was very interesting and knowledgeable. Great tour for getting to know a bit about The Gothic Quarter.</p>
<p>Our hotel was a five minute walk to meeting place with tour guide. Meeting up was perfect and there were 7 of us and I am sorry I don't remember our tour guide's name. No reflection on her, however at this writing four weeks ago. Our guide was professional and knowledgeable and made the historical tour very interesting, and kept everyone's attention. We had just arrived off our cruiseship and wanted a quick introduction to the area where we were staying in and this tour was perfect for a 3:30 pm something to do.</p>
<p>This walking tour was one of the high points of my trip to Barcelona. That's because our tour guide Leah did such a great job making the city's history come alive as part of our overview of this oldest part of Barcelona. Her enthusiasm and friendliness drew you in and made you want to soak up as much of her knowledge as you could. I especially loved the opportunity to enjoy tapas and beer at the end of the trip and to enjoy the company of our group of eight.</p>
<p>This was our first trip to Barcelona were a family of four with two adults, in our 40s, and two teenagers 16 and 14. We took the English tour on 27 July 2017. Our guide, Núria, was friendly, knowledgeable, enthusiastic, and full of information, stories, and legends of the Gothic Quarter! Our tour lasted a bit over two and a half hours, and provided us with lots of interesting information and helped us better appreciate Barcelona, its history, and its culture. We highly recommend this tour! It was lots of fun, and very interesting too!</p> <p>Our guide was easy to find - she was located right where we were told to look, holding her red umbrella.</p>
<p>This was a great tour! Our guide was super knowledgeable and we learned a ton of interesting history and lots of little interesting tidbits of information that really illuminated they way people thought in the Gothic time period in Barcelona as we wound our way through and within the walls of the Gothic Quarter. And, we ended up in a little gem of a place for a pinxer and a beer, which was perfect. If you want to know what a pinxer is, or the difference between that and tapas, take the tour!</p>
<p>We enjoyed this tour.The guide was really knowledgeable and friendly. Learned some interesting facts and histories of the Gothic quarter in Barcelona that we would not have gained by ourselves. The pintxo and drink at the end of the tour was a nice touch. I can safely recommend this tour for anyone interested.</p>
<p>Our guide Maria was awesome. We really enjoyed the tour and would highly recommend it.</p>
<p>We thought we had missed the group at the meeting place. There was a street fair setting up and the area was very crowded. So happy we kept wandering and finally saw our guide with her umbrella. This is a tour with fascinating sights and stories. Of course, lots of walking and photo opportunities. We actually had a longer tour than posted. Guide was a wealth of knowledge about the history and architecture. We had a wonderful snack at the end of the tour. Highly recommended if you have a free afternoon in Barcelona and good walking shoes.</p>
<p>Nice simple walking tour. Make sure to take this tour early during your visit since it will orient you to the area.</p>
<p>This tour was so enjoyable and our guide was so informative. She was lively and really gave us a wonderful tour. There were four of us and we all thought this tour was spot on. Thank you and we will certainly tour with you again.<br/> Karen Brandt</p>
<p>Nice way to see the Gothic section. Expected more stories and legends, not just history of buildings.</p>
<p>Guide was knowledgeable, been to interesting places and stories, walk as easy pace. Finished at bar with drink and tapas. Good tour.</p>
<p>Excellent tour and lots of astonishing things that I never knew about the Gothic Quarters around Barcelona.</p>
<p>Excellent guide... saw more than I expected... saw areas we would not have seen on our own</p>
<p>Very nice guide....interesting walk through gothic quarter.</p>
<p>Very interesting tour learned alot about the history of barcelona tour guide was very nice and very knowledgable</p>
We did the tour of stories and legends of the Gothic quarter. I’ve been living in Barcelona for 6 years, and walking again through streets that I pass almost daily accompanied by Aaron was special. He's an honest guide who loves his work. His knowledge and passion for history is undeniable. I recommend it to everyone who wants to know how Barcelona became what it is, and uncover stories that cannot be read just by looking at its streets and walls. You will leave this tour with another perspective of the city, and in general with knowledge that will make you better understand our history and culture
We have done the tour with Aaron and, although we are from Barcelona, he has explained many interesting stories that we did not know. He has answered all the questions and we have had a super nice time! I recommend it for whoever is a lover of the city and this magical neighborhood.
Arrivé à pied en cherchant cette fameuse place Nova. Sommes arrives avec 5 mn de retard, pour la visite en français, mais le guide ne nous a pas attendu. Si guide il y avait? Argent perdu
Fantastic moche full of culture enthusiasm to make this route has been so special and interesting has been thanks to Nerela. She is a very very prepared and delivered professional Thank you Nerela.
the gothic quarter of Barcelona is like taking a trip to the past beside the cathedral is the wonderfulplaza de sant felip neri, where it seems impossible that you are so close to the Plaça Catalunya
The tour was cancelled , received a message at 10:10 pm that I didn’t see and so we went instead of meeting for nothing... no other dates possible! The offices of the agency close! No replacement proposal!
The attention of the fantastic company, but the visit seemed loose. It was 2.5 hours long and did not reach even 2 hours.
Interesting and quality tour thanks to the guide Marc. Legends and traditions accompany a pleasant walk in the Gothic Quarter.
Giovanna, a spectacular guide in all her explanations. It's worth taking the tour with her.
<p>Guide très sympathique, anecdotes racontées avec humour et pinxhos suculents, que demander de plus?</p>
<p>Nos encantó la guía, muy profesional. Aprendimos muchas cosas de nuestra ciudad.</p>
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