Barri Gotic

While Katrina decided to do some window shopping, Mona, Brad and I decided to do some exploring near Las Ramblas. To the left of Las Ramblas is the so called dark gothic quarters of Barcelona known as the Barri Gotic. Apparently the Barri Gotic is the area of the dark times of Barcelona.

Once you walk through the windy dark streets, which are heavily populated with tourists, shops, and small allyways you can begin to imagine the poverty, thieves, gangs that once inhabited the area in the early 19th century.

Nowadays the streets are occupied by popular brand name stores, tourists, accommodation, beggars that are common throughout the area, and the occasional thief.

Besides walking in and out of fashion label stores that becomes automatic when you walk around the city with a female due to all the elegant boutique fashion stores. The three of us just walked. Randomly walking in the street we came across an old cathedral church containing some unique antiques and statuettes which defined the true essence and strength behind Spanish Catholicism.

Although I had been to the Barri Gotic on numerous occasions it was the first time that I came across the “Plaça Sant Jaume”, which houses the “Palace of the Generalitat” and “City Hall” on either side. This area has celebrated some of the most important events in Catalan history.

We also came across the “Cathedral Santa Creu”. A quite spectacular cathedral inside. One of the largest I’ve seen so far. Just outside were the beggars that seem to reside outside all of the major monuments in the city. The soft lighting inside added to its effectiveness as a traditional church. Construction of the church began in 1298, and with the grandness of the cathedral its impossible to conjugate as to how they build such magnificent buildings during those times without the technology of today.

That morning was the most that I had explored this area of the city. It was well worth it and inspired me to get more involved and into depths with the culture and history.