Behind the cathedral, at the centre of the Roman city, today’s Gothic Quarter, marked by the point where the two main roads, Cardus ( today Carrer del Bisbe ) and Decumanus ( Carrer Llibreteria ), converged, we can still see the remains of the Roman Temple of Augustus (1). In fact, the original centre of Roman and medieval Barcelona still forms the core of 21st-century Barcelona. Its maze of narrow streets and squares is steeped in the city’s past and present.
Going around the back of the cathedral we will stop next at the 14th century Cloister (2), famous for its geese.Turning left we can visit Sant Sever Church (3), the only one in the city’s few Baroque-era churches to remain completely intact. On our left we discover the peaceful Plaça Sant Felip Neri (4), a tiny square with a charming little fountain. Going back toward the center we will pass by The Palau Episcopal (5)
which adjoins the cathedral on the west. The two round towers on the Portal del Bisbe date from Roman times and the inner courtyard, with its Romanesque arcades from the 14th century. On the other side, stands the entrance to the Casa de l’Ardiaca (6), or Archdeacon’s House, which contains interesting archaeological remains of the ancient Roman wall of Barcelona.The passage between these 2 buildings marks one the gates in the ancient wall and opens on Plaça Nova (7) which was the site of the city’s hay market in the middle age.
Next on the right, on the Pla de la Seu, the Cathedral de la Santa Creu i Santa Eulàlia (8) reflects the different generations who have left their imprint and the blend of architectural styles in this predominantly Gothic building which needs to be viewed inside in order to fully understand its splendour. Adjacent to the Cathedral stands the Casa de la Pía Almoina (9), with two sections, the Gothic one was built around 1435, and the Renaissance one added in 1546, currently holds the Diocesan Museum.The narrow street on the east side of the Cathedral leads to the Verger del Palau Reial (10), the garden of the former Royal Palace of the Counts of Barcelona. One building of this Palace now hosts the Museu Frederic Marès (11) which includes an extensive and valuable collection of art works and everyday objects from the 15th to 19th centuries. On the same street, the next building is the 16th-century Palau del Lloctinent (12), or Lieutenant’s Palace, which has a beautiful Renaissance courtyard and is currently home to the Archive of the Crown of Aragon. On the other side, this Palace, the Palau Reial and the 14th-century royal chapel of Santa Àgata form the Conjunct Monumental de la Plaça del Rei (13) which is, arguably, the Gothic architectural ensemble that 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. Below the square, you can visit the impressive archaeological remains of Roman Barcino.
Leaving la Plaça del Rei, we cross la Plaça Ramon Berenguer El Gran and head southeast toward la Plaça de l'Angel. To the right, just off the wide main street leading to the southeast, can be seen remains of the old town wall, on which stands the Palau de Requesens. We now turn right into la Carrer Llibreteria, one of the oldest street of Barcelona, turn left into la Carrer de la Dagueria and reach l'Eglesia Sants Just i Pastor (14), supposedly the oldest remaining church of the city. Following la Carrer d'Hercules, on the right side of the church, we reach now the City Hall (15) and the seat of the Catalan Government, the Palau de la Generalitat, and the Plaça de Sant Jaume (16), right in the middle of this Barcelona neighbourhood, the end of this tour. Very near the Plaça de Sant Jaume, is the old Jewish Quarter, the Call Jueu, with its endless narrow streets, where some remains of the ancient synagogue still survive.
