Gothic Quarter in Barcelona

The oldest section and heart of the city of Barcelona is the gothic quarter. Once called the Cathedral quarter, this section is home to the incredible architecture and culture that marked the middle ages. Here are the palaces and walls first built by the Romans, along with some temples monumental to their once great leaders. It takes approximately 3 hours to walk the Gothic Quarter during the afternoon. In the evening, it may take you much longer, as this is also the home to some of the best bars and nightlife that Barcelona has to offer. If you begin the walking tour at Placa Nova, you will first see Portal del Bisbe. This ancient Roman wall has two large towers on either side-a great place to meet up with your party after the sightseeing and before the club hopping. A little further along is the Palace Episcopal, or Bishop's Palace, which was constructed at the end of the 12th century. Past that are two cathedrals and gothic fountains; you are now entering an even older part of the city, some buildings dating back to the 1300's. The Gothic Quarter has a little of everything to offer the traveler. If history and architecture are among your interests, this is the place to capture both on film. If clubbing and dancing are part of the vacation, the gothic quarter of Barcelona is vacation paradise.