Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
4. PLACA DE SANT JAUME
The site of the
Plaça de Sant Jaume
was once the nucleus of Roman Barcino. With
theseroots,itseemsfittingthatthesquarehasbecomehometoBarcelona'stwomost
importantgovernmentbuildings:thePalaudelaGeneralitat(seatoftheCatalangov-
ernment) and the Ajuntament (city hall). Look for the detailed carved relief of Sant
Jordi,Catalonia'spatronsaint,onthe15th-centuryGeneralitatfaçade.Withinisthe
lovely15th-century
CapelladeSantJordi
.AhighlightoftheGothicAjuntamentisthe
lavish red-and-gold Saló de Cent, where the Council of One Hundred ruled the city
from 1372 to 1714. Also of note is the Pati dels Tarongers, a patio with orange trees.
Palau de la Generalitat • Pl de Sant Jaume • 012 (within the city) • Open
10:30am-1:30pm 2nd & 4th Sat & Sun of month for guided tours • Free
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Ajuntament•PldeSantJaume•Open10am-1:30pmSunforguidedtours(11am
English) • Free
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5. CONJUNT MONUMENTAL DE LA PLACA DEL REI
In the heart of the Barri Gòtic is the beautiful medieval
Plaça del Rei
,
presided over
by the 13th- to 14th-century Palau Reial (royal palace). The impressive palace com-
plex includes the Saló del Tinell, a massive hall crowned by Gothic arches, where
Ferdinand and Isabel welcomed Columbus after his 1492 voyage to the Americas.
The medieval Capella de Santa Àgata has a beautiful 15th-century altarpiece by
Jaume Huguet. A visit to the Museu d`Història de Barcelona gives access to the
Palau Reial and to one of the largest underground excavations of Roman ruins on
display in Europe.
Pl del Rei • Open 10am-7pm Tue-Sat 10am-8pm Sun • Adm,
free 1st Sun of month and 3-8pm every Sun • DA
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