Thursday 9 January 2014

Exploring the Old Roman district or Barri Gotic of Barcelona

The Roman part of Barcelona was surrounded by a defence wall of which today only the Roman gates still exist. The construction dates from the 4th century. In newer building walls you find ceramic tiles telling religious and cruel stories of executions. The Spanish Inquisition was a leading institute with its courts.

Behind the cathedral and the Palace of the Bishop you find the inner gardens of a monastery. A pond on the courtyard is the living quarter for white geese, there are also a few fountains and the garden landscape is well done. The letter box of the palace is decorated with swallows and a turtle, the turtle represents mail that comes late. In the Carrer del Bishe two 14th century houses are connected by a private pedestrian bridge. We are always surprised to see in how many places the Roman Empire has left its marks behind.

Het Romeins gedeelte van Barcelona was omringd door een verdedigingsmuur waarvan vandaag nog slechts twee poorten bestaan. De constructie dateert uit de 4de eeuw. In jongere bouwwerken zijn soms ceramische tegels ingezet die religieuze en wrede verhalen van terechtstellingen vertellen. De Spaanse Inquisitie met zijn rechtbanken was hier oppermachtig. 

Achter de kathedraal en het Bisschoppelijk Paleis vind je de binnentuinen van een klooster. De vijver op het binnenplein is de leefwereld voor grote witte ganzen, er zijn ook enkele fonteintjes en de tuin is mooi aangelegd. De brievenbus van het paleis is versiert met zwaluwen en een schildpad, deze laatste beeld te late post uit. In de zijstraat Carrer del Bishe worden twee huizen uit de 14de eeuw verbonden door een verhoogde voetgangersbrug. We zijn altijd verrast zoveel Romeinse overblijfselen terug te vinden in Europese steden. 
 
Barri Gotic Barcelona Roman Gates

Barri Gotic Barcelona ceramic tiles

Barri Gotic Barcelona

Barri Gotic Barcelona monastery garden

Barri Gotic Barcelona white geese

Barri Gotic Barcelona monastery fountain

Barri Gotic Barcelona Monastery

Barri Gotic Barcelona swallow and turtle letter box

Barri Gotic Barcelona bridge

Barri Gotic Barcelona

Previous Barcelona article: Architecture, art and entertainment on walking promenade La Rambla

Previous Roman article: Recognised UNESCO Heritage of the Roman Empire in Trier

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9 comments:

  1. I love that mail box showing the swift and the slow mail.
    I too am always thinking to myself 'how great were the Romans' I do not think any civilisation has ever surpassed them.

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  2. I like that fountain with the horse

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  3. Very lovely and old. I find as I read your blog and surf the internet how so many places are similar, and no doubt due to the Roman times, at time.

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  4. It is true what you say about finding evidence of the Romans. It makes you realise how vast their Empire was. I didn't see this area when I was in Barcelona so thanks for showing us.

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  5. Really nice series of photos. I particularly love the bird one, the reflections are exquisite!

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  6. Je bezorgt ons hier een schat aan informatie en documentatie.

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  7. Wonderful pictures! I LOVE the little turtle sculpture!
    Léia

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  8. i am in awe of the age of the architecture. in the usa, things are considered 'old' and 'historic' if they are from the early 1800s.

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  9. leuke details laat je hier zien Filip. Lieve groeten, Dietmut

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