Gothic Quarter & Beyond: Leisurely Local Discoveries

The Convent of Sant Agustí Vell began to be built in 1349, but due to the construction of the Fortress of the Ciutadella, the Augustinians had to abandon the place and between 1728 and 1750 created the new convent with its church. Most of the old convent today houses the Ciutat Vella Civic Centre, the Barcelona Photographic Archive and the Chocolate Museum. The Gothic Convent of San Agustín el Viejo conserves elements of the old convent, such as a wing of the sanctuary that was restored and a lateral part of the church.

The history of the ancient monastery of Sant Pere de Puelles dates back to 945 AD, the year of its consecration. At that time, it became Barcelona's first convent of Benedictine nuns. Throughout its history, Sant Pere de les Puelles has experienced many changes in fortune that have transformed the Romanesque building, which was built outside the city walls. The attacks by Arab troops, fires, and the expulsion of its religious community in the 19th century sealed its fate, and the nuns moved to a new, permanent site in Sarrià-Sant Gervasi in 1879.

An influential Barcelona citizen named Bernat Marcús will sponsor, among other things, the construction of a small chapel in 1166 to house travelers and also to act as a hospital for the poorest people in Barcelona. So initially this chapel of Romanesque style will have the name of Capella de la Mare de Deu de la Guia, being also in a right place since it was in the old Roman road that led to France.

Tradition has it that this is Barcelona's oldest church. Whether this is true or not, it is clear that this 14th-century building stands in one of the Gothic Quarter's most beautiful and least explored spots. Another example of the splendor of the city in the medieval era.

As you explore Barcelona's Gothic Quarter, you'll come across one of the city's best-kept secrets in a building on Carrer Paradís. Inside a small medieval courtyard, the four columns from the Temple of Augustus have survived despite the passing of the centuries. They are more than 2,000 years old, like Barcelona itself.

We invite you to discover the Palau de la Música Catalana, the only concert hall in the world to be declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It was designed by the architect Domènech i Montaner as the home of the Orfeó Català choir. Funded by public donations, the Palau is one of the most iconic examples of Catalonia's architectural and musical heritage.

The Museu Frederic Marès is located in the heart of Barcelona’s Gothic Quarter, in part of the former royal palace which was once home to the Counts of Barcelona. The museum includes an extensive and valuable collection of artworks and objects which Frederic Marès collected throughout his life.