The Gothic Quarter is Barcelona’s birthplace and its most
historic neighborhood. This is where the
Romans built their city, the medieval Christians built their Cathedral, the
Jews gathered together and where Barcelonans lived within their protective
walls until removed in the 1850’s to allow for the cities expansion. It is a pedestrian only area due to its tangled
tight lanes and you can easily get lost in them but find your way again as you
stumble onto a familiar square or market.
The Cathedral of Barcelona now sits where some form of Christian worship has been taking place since the 4th century. This current Gothic version dates mainly from the 14th century with a 19th century Neo Gothic entrance.
When we entered Placa Nova, we heard music, cheering and lots of people crowding around below the Cathedral steps. It turned out to be a group of Barcelona's patriotic Sardana dancers and some brave tourists doing group circle dancing. Circle dancing is a unique Catalan tradition representing unity. Participants gather in circles after putting their things in the center, a symbolic gesture of community and sharing. Holding hands, dancers raise their arms as they hop and sway to the music of the band. The rest of Spain mocks this dance but to Catalans it is a display of patriotism.
A very old shop with wooden security doors instead of the modern metal roll-ups.
One of the many narrow pedestrian streets that link the Gothic Quarter
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