A walking tour is one of the best ways to get to know a new city, and Barcelona is no exception. The city on the sea is built between two hills, with a beach and marina, interesting neighborhoods that have streets both narrow and wide marking the town’s Medieval past and 19th century residences, respectively. Once you’ve checked into one of the Barcelona boutique hotels, head to the Barri Gotic or the Gothic Quarter. Plan to take a two or three hour stroll through this fascinating area, where you can find a variety of sites, from the a Picasso designed frieze on the wall of the city’s architectural tour, to the Placa de Sant Felip Neri, an engaging little square with a fountain and grand trees, to the Casa de L’Ardiaca, the Archdeacon’s House, which was built for the Archdeacon Despla in the 15th Century.
The Placa de la Seu is here, too, the plaza in front of the Catedral de Barcelona. December is fast approaching, and you’ll be able to find here the Mercat de Santa Llucia, which is an outdoor market that sells decorations and Christmas trees.
Nearby, you’ll also come across the Museu Frederic Mares, a museum that features Gothic and Romanesque religious objects. There’s an outdoor cafe here that will be a nice place to take a break. Once you leave the cafe, you’ll pass the cathedral on its right side and see the sculpture of two angels beside a female saint seated on a throne. Just beyond this, you’ll pass by a Gothic building designed by Antonio Carbonell. This building, once the Palau del Lloctinent (English translation: Deputy’s Palace), although not open to the public today.
As you walk, you’ll find contained here a medieval courtyard (the Temple d’Augustus), and the Placa del Rei, the best known square of the Quarter, which features the Great Royal Palace, once the homes of the Barcelona counts. You’ll find here a 14th century Gothic temple, which belonged to a part of the Palau Reial, and contains, from the 15th century, an altarpiece constructed by Jaume Huguet.
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Barcelona boutique hotels · Gothic Quarter · Placa de la Seu
