ITINERARIES

GOTHIC QUARTER

It is an old town district known as the Gothic Quarter because of the treasure house of Gothic monuments found here, today it occupies what was an ancient fortified Roman village, it homes nowadays historic monuments and modern institucions. The itinerary begins at the Plaça Nova with the twin semicircular towers of the well - preserved Roman walls.

Near to the the Cathedral, there is another portion of the wall as well as the beginning of the aqueduct which transported water from the Collserola hills.Taking Avinguda de la Catedral, we arrive at the Pla de la Seu with its steps leading up to the Cathedral, a Gothic structure dating from the 14th and 15th centuries with a 19th century neogothic façade. The Cathedral complex also comprises three medieval palaces: Cases dels Canonges, Casa del Degà, and Casa de l'Ardiaca.

Returning to the Av. de la Catedral, we take C.Tapineria along a section of the Roman wall to get to Plaça de Ramon Berenguer el Gran, one of the most spectacular places in Old Barcelona, with its Roman walls and broken section of the old Palau Reial Major wall with a 40 meter bell tower. In the square we can find an equestrian statue of Ramon Berenguer III. Beyond the square, the street of C. Sots-tinent Navarro takes us via C. Llibreteria to the Plaça del Rei which was designed as a complete unit and now is the most noble square in Old Barcelona. Facing the square are the Palau Reial Major (Royal Palace), Chapel of Santa Ágata , and the Museu d'Història de la Ciutat (City's History Museum).

The Palau Reial Major (11th-14th centuries) was originally a Romanesque building with Gothic additions. Our attention is drawn to the great hall called the Saló del Tinell, supported by six stone semi-circular arches.
Then, we can proceed to C. Paradís, where we find an old millstone which points to the summit of the small hill called Mons Taber, just in front of the building housing the Catalonian Excursionist Center. The next street leads to the Plaça de Sant Jaume, administrative center of the city and site of the Palau de la Generalitat , a 15th century Gothic structure with a Renaissance façade. The imposing interior staircase, the orange tree courtyard and the chapel of Sant Jordi are exceptional features. The 14th century Adjuntament (Town Hall), with its celebrated Saló de Cent (Room of the Hundred), features a Gothic façade, facing the street of C. Ciutat, and the main neoclassic one, facing Plaça de Sant Jaume.

If we Take C. Ciutat and C. Hèrcules, we get at the Plaça de Sant Just, which preserves the character of Old Barcelona, with its Gothic fountain and the 13th century Palau Moixó. On C. Bisbe Caçador, we encounter the largest private palace that existed in medieval Barcelona and the Gothic Church of Sans Just i Pastor.

MONTJUÏC

PARKS AND GARDEN

PARK GUELL

The most famous park in Barcelona, it was designed by Antoni Gaudí and also declared a World Heritage Site by the UNESCO. It was first conceived as a private estate but it became a public park in 1922.

PARC DE LA CIUTADELLA

Cita del park, the largest park in the city, was transformed in 1888 for the World's Fair, several museums within the park, including Barcelona's Zoo, and a romantic garden bordered by two tree -lined paths, the enormous "cascade" fountain and a lake can be found on the grounds.





PARC LABERINT

It was built in 1791 on different levels with stairways, pavilions and richly ornamented railings. Adorning the gardens are various statutes of mythological figures.

MUSEUMS

GAUDI'S HOUSE - MUSEUM

 Interesting works and memorabilia of Antoni Gaudí are displayed, it is located into the Parc Güell; this house was designed by Francesc Berenguer, one of Gaudí help - architechts, it was finished in 1905 and occupied by Gaudí from 1906 to 1926. In December 1926 by testamentary, Gaudí ordered the house was sold and the resultant money was invested in the building of Sagrada Família, in 1963 it became a musuem.

- Address: Calle Olot, Güell Park.
- Open: 10to 2pm and 4 to 6pm; from April to September open until 7pm. Closed Saturdays.


MUSEUM OF THE EXPIATORY TEMPLE OF THE HOLY FAMILY

This small musuem is one of the most visited and well knwon in Barcelona, it is located in the church crypt of the temple and shows the history of its construction including photographs and personal objects belonging to Gaudí.

- Address: Calle Mallorca, 401.
- Open: November to February from 9 to 6pm; March, September and October from 9 to 7pm; rest of the year from 9 to 8pm. Open everyday.

GASTRONOMY



TYPICAL DISHES OF BARCELONA



 The Catalan gastronomy is well known worldwide because of its variety, it's a truly mix of tradition and innovation that has been influenced by other cultures, it is also a clear example of Mediterranean kitchen had their dishes are varied and original; Its location, between the sea and the mountain, provides to him the better fruits of both places.

Using olive oil, vegetables, pig, fish and its derivatives is a tradition in Barcelona; there is also an exiquisite variety of wines which day after day are more and respected internationally,

the habitual dishes are;

"the rossejats", "esqueixada", "butifarra con judías",etc. Among desserts the honey with resquesón and the excellent and popular Catalan cream.