BRIEF OUTLINE
1) Plaza Nova. We start at the north gate of Barcino: the oldest part of Barcelona founded in 200 BC.
a) The Roman Wall. The huge blocks are visible in Barcino’s protective belt built in 100 BC with 78 watchtowers and an aqueduct.
2) St. Llúcia Street. The site of religious worship.
a) St. Llúcia’s Chapel. Built in 1260 its primitive and simplistic style harkens back to the days of Rome.
b) The Cathedral. Built from 1298 to 1450, the façade was finished in the 1800’s in classic gothic style.
c) The Archdeacon’s House. The classic Romanesque doorway has been preserved and the unique Mailbox is sculpted out of marble with the Catalan-Aragon Empire Coat of Arms.
3) Bisbe (Bishop) Street.
a) Cloister. An open-air area of meditation and prayer connected to Barcelona's working life. The slabs on the floor are tombstones of dead guildmasters and decorated with their tools.
b) Napoleon War Memorial. Tells the story of eight citizens executed by the French during the Peninsula War of 1808. Napoleon occupied Spain, but after six years of war he retreated in defeat.
4) St. Felipe Neri Plaza. It’s hard to find, but worth it.
a) Spanish Civil War Memorial. The damaged façade of the church bears witness to a fierce battle here between the Freedom-Fighters and the Franco’s Fascists.
b) Guild (Union) Hall. This 15th century building proves that Barcelona’s working class had some money.
5) The Jewish Quarter: Dating back to the 2d century; the most interesting, and rarely-visited, part of Barcelona.
a) St. Doménec’s Convent: A plaque indicates where Saint Doménec founded his first convent, and the Dominican Order, in 1219 to convert Jews to Christianity.
b) Synagogue*. Highlite of the tour. Built by the Romans in 200 AD, it was the center of Jewish life for centuries. Beautiful and spiritual, includes an ark and an iron-forged menorah.
c) Hebrew Inscription. Dated 692 AD, this honours a Rabbi who pioneered education.
6) St. Jaume Plaza. Ancient site of the Roman forum and still occupied by government buildings.
a) The Generalitat. The capitol building for the province of Catalunya housing the Parliament and the President’s office.
b) El Ayuntamiento. Barcelona’s city hall and Europe’s oldest democratic institution dating back to 1373. The façade is a classic example of secular Renaissance.
c) Statue of King Jaume. Catalan king who conquered Mallorca opening the Mediterranean to trade and ushered in the 12th century Empire.
7) The temple of Augusto*. Built in 100 BC are four huge temple columns representing Roman power on their original site.
8) St. Iu Plaza. The doorway is Catalan Gothic and features carvings of two Catalan legends: Patron St. Jordi and the City’s founding father Wilfredo the Hairy.
9) The King’s Plaza: Home to Barcelona's Counts (Kings) since the 12th century.
a) Viceroy’s Palace. Built by the King of Spain in the 16th century, it marks the end the Catalan Empire.
b) Watchtower. A five story watchtower used by the Spanish guards to watch over and pelt the natives with stones.
c) Chapel of St. Águeda. Built in the 14th century on top of the Roman wall.
10) Restaurants. We end at a row of fine and reasonably-priced restaurants off the tourist's track.
* Note: The Synagogue is closed on Saturday and Sunday. The Temple of Augustus is closed on Monday.
