911爆料网

An old street in the heart of Barcelona, Carrer d'Avinyo holds historical significance as the home of the brothel at number 44, which was said to have inspired Picasso's groundbreaking painting "Les Demoiselles d'Avignon" ("The Young Ladies of Avignon"), a masterpiece that marked the painter's transition toward the cubist movement. Revolutionizing the art world through its analysis, deconstruction, and reassembly of objects in an abstracted manner, cubism profoundly transformed Picasso's perception of art. Despite its initial lack of acceptance, the cubist style would ultimately emerge as one of the pivotal art movements of the 20th century.

Today, you can still locate the site where the former brothel stood on Carrer Avinyo. While the area is now renowned for its abundance of restaurants and cafes, the typically narrow medieval street retains much of its medieval charm, evoking the atmosphere that was prevalent during Picasso's time.

Saint James's Square is the administrative heart of Barcelona, housing both the Government of Catalonia and the Barcelona City Council. It also serves as an excellent landmark for navigating the intricate streets of the Gothic Quarter.

The area's historic roots trace back to the Roman colony of B脿rcino as a crossroads of the main Roman thoroughfares, where the Forum and the Temple of Augustus once stood. Four columns from the Temple have been preserved and can still be seen atop the hill known as Mont Taber.

The square itself has been in existence since at least 1261. A porch where city councilors convened for meetings, the precursor of the future headquarters of the municipal government, was added in the 14th century. In 1598, the Generalitat Palace was enlarged, subsequently extending the square too. Further major transformations occurred in the 19th century when the City Council decided to demolish adjacent buildings to create a larger square, which was inaugurated in 1840 as Constitution Square鈥攁 name it held until 2013.

Throughout the 19th century, the square became a vibrant spot with a flea market operating three times a week. It also emerged as a crucial cultural hub for the Castellers of Barcelona, a group of acrobatic performers who climb on top of each other, creating human towers 鈥� or 鈥渃astles鈥� 鈥� reaching up to several storeys high.

In 2004, an archaeological dig in the area unearthed remains of ancient walls, providing a glimpse into the square鈥檚 layered past.

Today, the square's architecture remains a prominent feature, with two striking buildings vying for attention. The City Council presides on the one side, while the Catalonian government building, known as the Generalitat, commands attention on the other. The square also continues to be a traditional gathering place for demonstrations and festivals.

Tip:
With many restaurants open until midnight and a constant buzz of activity, Saint James's Square is one of the liveliest parts of Barcelona during late hours. However, it is important to exercise caution here as pedestrians share the space with cars and bicycles.

Despite its medieval, centuries-old appearance, Bishop's Bridge is a modern addition to the Gothic Quarter. Constructed in 1928 on the narrow street bearing the same name, the bridge seamlessly blends with the prevalent architectural style of the Gothic Quarter. It was designed by Catalan architect Joan Rubi贸 during his tenure as the official architect of Barcelona in the 1920s.

The neo-Gothic marvel showcases striking architectural elements, such as arched windows, columns, gargoyles, and elaborate stone tracery, making it one of the most photogenic spots in the city. The idea of the bridge connecting the Palace of the Generalitat to the Canons House on the opposite side of the street was inspired by the Bridge of Sighs in Venice.

Joan Rubi贸, a keen disciple of Antoni Gaud铆, had previously worked with the master until 1905. He took part in several iconic projects such as the Sagrada Fam铆lia, the Batll贸 House, and Park G眉ell. Rubi贸's broader vision to remodel the Gothic Quarter in a neo-Gothic style for the 1929 International Exposition was ultimately rejected by the Barcelona City Council, limiting his influence to this single structure.

A notable feature of the bridge is an eerie skull with a dagger pierced through it, positioned at the bottom of the structure. This grim decoration, added by Rubi贸 in defiance of the council's rejections, has birthed various urban legends. One such myth suggests that Barcelona will fall if the dagger is removed, whereas the other claims that walking backward while looking at the skull grants the viewer a wish. These legends add an element of mystique and allure to the bridge, enhancing its appeal as a curiosity worth visiting in Barcelona.

Tip:
For the best photo opportunities, visit the bridge in the morning or late afternoon when the lighting conditions are favorable.

King's Square epitomizes Barcelona's historical essence as the center of county and royal authority. Originating from an urbanization initiative by King Mart铆 I of Aragon, otherwise known as Mart铆 the Human, in the late 14th century, the square was designed to host tournaments, displacing the traditional market. It retains a rectangular shape and is encased by Gothic and Renaissance buildings, creating a closed circuit except for its southwest end.

The square's name comes from the Grand Royal Palace of the Counts of Barcelona whose Gothic facade dominates its north side. The palace complex also encompasses the exquisite 13th-century Royal Chapel of Santa Agata and the romantic Renaissance Tower of King Mart铆, which offers views over the medieval city. The eastern edge is marked by the 14th-century Tinell Hall, the palace's central hall, accessible via a staircase.

According to historians, it was on these very steps, which spread out from the corner of the square, that in 1493 King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella welcomed Christopher Columbus and his crew upon their return from the first successful voyage to the New World. Once used as a meeting place for the Spanish Inquisition, the hall capitalized on the popular belief that its walls would reveal any lies spoken within. Nowadays, the building hosts temporary exhibitions and occasional concerts.

This square's main royal edifices can be accessed through the Barcelona History Museum, housed in the impressive Gothic Padell脿s building. Together with the 16th-century Renaissance Lieutenant鈥檚 Palace, they complete the square's layout.

Additionally, King's Square's underground shelters extensive Roman ruins, uncovered in 1935. Ten years later, during renovations on the neighboring Counts Street, another archaeological discovery was made 鈥� an early Christian basilica, initially thought to be a primitive cathedral. In 1954, they also unearthed a 1st-century Roman pavement and nymphaeum (a shrine to the nymphs), providing insights into the area's historical development.

Due to its tremendous acoustic and almost enclosed structure, the square often serves as a venue for musical concerts and public events.

Tip:
The Barcelona History Museum, open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 am鈥�7 pm and on Sunday from 10 am鈥�8 pm, offers a fascinating glimpse into Roman and early Christian Barcelona. Visitors can explore ancient Roman ruins on a tour beginning underground and concluding in a lively square, perfect for relaxing with a drink.

Just past the Frederic Mar猫s Museum, a handsome doorway beckons you into the refined courtyard of the Lieutenant鈥檚 Palace, adorned with its three facades. As part of the former royal palace, the Lieutenant鈥檚 Palace boasts a typical mix of late Gothic and early Renaissance Catalan design. One of the most elegant buildings in the Gothic Quarter, it was constructed between 1549 and 1557 by master builder Antoni Carbonell, commissioned by the Government of Catalonia (known as the Generalitat).

During the 16th and 17th centuries, the Palace served as the residence of the king's official emissary (or viceroy) in Barcelona. From 1836 until 1994, the graceful structure served as the headquarters for the General Archive of the Crown of Aragon and today offers an excellent exhibition on the life and era of James I the Conqueror, King of Aragon, one of Catalonia's prominent historic figures from the 13th century.

The building features a rectangular plan with four floors and basements, centering around a large courtyard. The ground floor includes four large carpanel arches on pillars, supporting a Tuscan-type gallery with semicircular arches, and an Italian palace-style staircase leading to the upper floors. The weighty stone arches adorning the entrance, the central patio, and the intricately adorned wooden roof above the staircase all exemplify the noble architecture of the 16th century. The door on the stairway, dating to 1975, showcases scenes from the life of Saint George and the history of Catalonia.

The courtyard also occasionally hosts concerts featuring early music. Additionally, during the Corpus Christi celebration, it becomes one of the main venues for the "dancing egg" spectacle, featuring an egg "dancing" on the fountain jet amidst an elaborate floral arrangement.

The Cathedral of the Holy Cross and Saint Eulalia, commonly known as Barcelona Cathedral, is a delightful combination of a church, mini-park, and a house of prayer, offering a serene alternative to the renowned La Sagrada Fam铆lia. As the seat of the Archbishop of Barcelona, it was primarily constructed between the 13th and 15th centuries.

The cathedral has a pseudo-basilica layout with five aisles and a raised high altar. It is dedicated to Saint Eulalia, a young martyr whose relics are housed in the white marble sarcophagus inside the crypt. An intriguing feature is the presence of 13 geese in the cloister, symbolizing Saint Eul脿lia's age at the time of her death.

Inside, the cathedral showcases choir stalls adorned with the coats-of-arms of the Order of the Golden Fleece. The Chapel of the Holy Sacrament contains a cross associated with the 1571 Battle of Lepanto and has been reconstructed to hold the tomb of San Olegarius, a former bishop of Barcelona.

The cathedral鈥檚 origins trace back to an early Christian and Visigothic complex that was damaged during a Muslim attack on Barcelona in 985. It was replaced with a Romanesque church in 1046 before the current Gothic cathedral began construction in 1298. The cathedral took 150 years to complete yet its neo-Gothic fa莽ade, featuring gargoyles and other mythical creatures, was finished only in 1913. Unlike many other churches in Barcelona destroyed during the Civil War, this Gothic temple was spared.

An exemplary piece of Catalan Gothic architecture, emphasizing balanced proportions over verticality, the cathedral measures 93 meters long, 40 meters wide, and 28 meters high at its central nave, with bell towers reaching 54 meters and the central peak at 70 meters.

The Cathedral of Barcelona is also famous for giving rise to the unique Catalan tradition of "dancing egg." Observed during the feast of Corpus Christi (also known as the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ), this tradition features an egg balanced on a water fountain鈥檚 jet.

The cathedral's cloister contains a gift shop. Cellular phones have been banned from the Chapel of Lepanto and other chapels. While exploring the cathedral's interior, make sure to venture up to the lofty roof terrace. You will be rewarded with views of the cathedral's towers, pinnacles, cimborio, and the Cloister, and a 360-degree view of the city!

Tip:
Cathedral Visit (including Choir entrance + Access to the rooftop, Chapter hall, and Virtual Audio guide) is 鈧�9.00.
Cathedral + Museum (including Choir entrance + Access to the rooftop + Chapter hall + Virtual Audio guide + Museum) is 鈧�15.00.