Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
(
Disseny Hub
Roman Barcelona
Morning
Starting at the Jaume I
metro, enter the ancient
walled city of Barcino on
C/Llibreteria, once the main
road to and from Rome.
Head right up C/Veguer to
Plaça del Rei
(see p36)
and
descend into a fascinating
underground web of Roman
walls and waterways via
the
Museu d'Història de la
Ciutat
(see p71)
. Also
visible here are the remains
of a 2nd-century workshop
and an ancient bodega, a
source of much Roman
merrymaking. Back above
ground, pause for a
cafè sol
at the terrace of
Café-Bar
L'Antiquari
(see p78)
and
bask in Barcelona's Gothic
glory days. Stroll towards
the Cathedral's spires
along C/de la Pietat. Turn
right onto C/Bisbe, once a
Roman thoroughfare, then
right again on Av de la
Catedral to visit the
Pia
Almoina
(see p15)
, where
you can view a section of
the Roman aqueduct and
ride a glass elevator past
Roman wall remains.
Backtrack to Plaça Nova,
once the Roman gateway
to Barcino, cross the
plaça
and continue along C/Arcs.
Housed in a pair of adjoining
medieval palaces, the gallery
features temporary exhibitions
showcasing aspects of architec-
ture, graphic and communications
design, product design and fash-
ion design. The small but ultra-
cool museum shop sells funky
clothes, accessories and design
collectables, while the café
beckons with outdoor tables in
a shady courtyard. In 2011 the
collection will be moved to a
new museum currently under
construction in Plaça de les
Glories.
d
C/Montcada 12-14 • Map
P4 • Open 10am-6pm Tue-Sat, 10am-
3pm Sun • Adm • DA
)
Museu Barbier-Mueller
d'Art Precolombí
Pre-Columbian art and artifacts,
spanning 3,000 years, are exhi-
bited in the 16th-century Palau
Nadal. Sculpture, ceramics and
detailed gold and silver pieces
represent the rich artistic tradi-
tions of the Aztecs, Mayans and
Incas. Temporary exhibits explore
the diversity of these civilizations.
d
C/Montcada 12-14 • Map P4 • Open
11am-5pm daily • Adm; free 1st Sun of
month • DA
Afternoon
Stop for lunch at the
Reial
Cercle Artistic
, a late 19th-
century artists' society.
Ignore the “members only”
sign; the restaurant is
open to the public, and its
tranquil balcony terrace pro-
vides a welcome breather
from the crowds far below.
After lunch, head up Av del
Portal de l'Àngel and turn
left onto C/Canuda to
Plaça
de la Vila de Madrid
(see
p37)
. The square is a
fitting end to your Roman
ramble, for here are the
necropolis remains, where
Romans were laid to rest.
Interior, Església de Santa Maria del Mar
73
For more museums
See pp40-41
