🐉 Contents: History | Museums | Restaurants | Hotels | Nightlife | Shopping | Safety
The labyrinthine Gothic Quarter lies at the heart of Barcelona, with many layers of history going back to the Roman town of Barcino. The neighborhood draws its name from its Gothic architecture, a style that flourished in Europe during the late Middle Ages from the 12th-16th centuries, often seen in cathedrals and churches.
The Gothic Quarter is surrounded by the neighborhoods of El Raval, L’Eixample and El Born. It can be easily reached via the metro stations of Liceu (L3) and Jaume I (L4) Drassanes (L3) and Plaça Catalunya (L1, L3).
History
Carrer del Bisbe
The Romans founded the colony of Barcino 2,000 years ago. The center of Barcino was Plaça de Sant Jaume, where the Palau de la Generalitat de Catalunya and the Ajuntament de Barcelona (City Hall) are situated across from one another. In a nearby courtyard off Carrer del Paradís, you can find the remains of the Temple of Augustus. Parts of Roman Barcino’s wall still remain within the Gothic Quarter.
Landmarks of the Gothic Quarter include the Cathedral of Santa Eulàlia, the Church of Santa Maria del Pi, Plaça del Rei, Basilica of La Mercè and Plaça Reial.
During the 13th century thousands of Jewish people lived in Barcelona, many working as doctors, scientists, scholars, merchants and money lenders. The medieval Jewish quarter was called El Call and here you can find the Synagogue Major, one of the oldest in Europe.
Many landmark Gothic buildings have elements that do not date back to the Middle Ages. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the quarter was completely underwent a major restoration project for the 1929 International Exposition. The neo-Gothic bridge over Carrer del Bisbe by Joan Rubió was built in 1928. The neo-Gothic façade of Barcelona Cathedral was constructed between 1882 and 1913 by Josep Oriol Mestres and August Font i Carreras.
Museums
Gaudí Exhibition Center
MUHBA Plaça del Rei Opened to the public in 1943, this museum displays remains dating from Roman Barcino in the 1st century BC to the early Middle Ages. By going underground, visitors can explore streets of Roman Barcelona.
Gaudi Exhibition Center Situated in the medieval Casa de la Pia Almoina, the space incorporates the old Roman wall and ancient entrance to Barcelona’s Gothic Quarter. The museum consists of 1,000 square metres, distributed over three floors covering the life and work of the great Catalan architect, Antoni Gaudí.
Museu de la Catedral The Museum of the Cathedral is located under the gallery of the Cloister, next to the chapel dedicated to Saint Lucia. Of special interest is The Pietà by 15th century Spanish painter Bartolomé Bermejo.
Setba Foundation Launched in 2009, Setba is multi-purpose space dedicated to the promotion of arts and culture in Catalonia. It is situated in the same flat overlooking Plaça Reial that the artist José Pérez Ocaña lived during the last year of his life, between 1982 and 1983.
Erotic Museum of Barcelona The Erotic Museum in Barcelona is situated on La Rambla, across from La Boqueria. It serves as a light-hearted, educational and recreational center focused on eroticism.
Restaurants
Ocaña
Pla Restaurant Vaulted ceilings, contemporary artwork and an intimate candle lit atmosphere make Pla the perfect spot for a romantic dinner or special occasions. The menu has is inspired by Catalan cuisine with international influences.
Koy Shunka Koy Shunka serves Japanese cuisine using fresh Mediterranean ingredients. Widely viewed as the best Japanese restaurant in the city.
Ocaña Named after the artist José Pérez Ocaña, the 1200 square meter space offers 2 different restaurants: the Café serving traditional Spanish cuisine and tapas and Ocaña DF, with food inspired from Mexico and Peru and cocktails of mezcal and tequila. On the basement floor there is a cocktail bar called Apotheke and a lounge, Bar Club Ocaña.
La Plata La Plata is situated in a seventeenth century building near Port Vell. It has a simple menu of only four classic dishes, which have not changed since it was founded in 1945. These are a simple salad of tomato, onion and Arbequina olives, botifarra (Catalan sausage), fresh anchovies and finally deep-fried sardines (pescaditos). Exceptional red, white or rosé wine from the Penedès region is served from straight from the barrel in small chupito glasses.
Hotels
Ohla Hotel Terrace
Ohla Hotel Located on the site where a palace of the first count of Barcelona once stood, Hotel Ohla carefully preserved the building’s historical façade from 1920 and other listed elements including the main staircase.
Hotel Neri The glamorous Hotel Neri is housed in a 12th century medieval palace in the heart of Barcelona’s Gothic Quarter. The boutique hotel offers 22 exclusive rooms and a gastronomic restaurant, looking out onto the historic Plaça Sant Felip Neri.
Mercer Hotel Barcelona This stylish 28 room boutique hotel is located on a quiet backstreet of the Gothic Quarter. Rafael Moneo led the architectural restoration project, carefully combining original Roman, medieval and 19th century historical elements with new construction.
Hotel Duquesa de Cardona The Duquesa de Cardona Hotel Barcelona occupies a historic 16th century building, formerly the residence of Catalan nobility. The building was restored in 1850 and was later modernized and converted into a hotel in 2003. The building faces Barcelona’s Port Vell and enjoys superb sunlight from its unobstructed position by the Mediterranean sea.
Nightlife
Jamboree
Jamboree Jamboree is a Zulu word meaning meeting of tribes. Legends such as Bill Coleman, Kenny Drew and Chet Baker have played at the club or in larger auditoriums under the organisation of the Jamboree managers. Musical activity now goes beyond jazz to also cover blues and the club hosts two concerts a day, 365 days a year.
El Bombón Salsa This lively bar close to the port features Latin music, salsa, Caribbean food and cocktails. Don’t miss the Passion Fruit Mojito!
Marula Café Marula Café offers funk, soul and Latin in an upbeat and friendly atmosphere.
L’Ascensor Classic Gothic Quarter cocktail bar that is accessed via an old fashioned elevator.
Shopping
Portal de l’Angel Portal de l’Àngel is a pedestrian shopping street in the Ciutat Vella district of Barcelona adjacent to Plaça Catalunya.
Carrer de Petritxol This was the first entirely pedestrian city street in 1959. It is lined with art galleries, boutiques and chocolate shops. Opera singer Montserrat Caballé had her rehearsal studio here, next to the Granja La Pallaresa.
Safety
One of the most frequently asked questions is how safe is the Gothic Quarter? The Gothic Quarter has the same safety issues as other parts of the city, especially other neighborhoods within the Ciutat Vella. Unfortunately, there are still many instances of pickpocketing and petty theft. However, if you are careful about your bag and valuables (keeping them close to your person) and use common sense when going out late at night it is unlikely that you will have any problems.