Travel More culture, fine food and surprises awaited in Barcelona on Spain’s northeast coast. We time-travelled back to medieval and Roman Barcelona in the Gothic Quarter. Street musicians, restaurants, bars and dance clubs co-exist withmedieval buildings, wrought iron lamps and ornate doors along its labyrinthine lanes. We walked below a picturesque, Flamboyant-style bridge and discovered Sant Jaume Square, which was the centre of the Roman forum 2,000 years ago. A statue of St. George on horseback slaying a dragon crowns the entrance to the Palau (Palace) de la Generalitat on the north side. Hidden below street level nearby was a big surprise – the Temple of Augustus from the Roman city of Barcino (the Latin name for Barcelona). Three complete temple columns towered above us. Wall posters informed us that a Roman wall enclosed Barcelona for 1,000 years. The construction of Barcelona Cathedral (also called St. Eulàlia Cathedral) lasted for six centuries. Inside its elaborate neoGothic façade, we discovered 13 white geese swimming, cackling and waddling around a pool in the cloister. Why 13 geese? “St. Eulàlia was 13 years old when she was martyred in AD 304 during Christian persecutions,” explained a parishioner. “She was a farmer who looked after geese. Now the geese look after her, because her tomb is in the crypt.” Afterwards, we began our self-guided walking tour of Antoni Gaudí’s works, starting with Casa Batlló. The world-renowned architect designed the scaled, undulating roof to resemble a dragon’s back. Fanciful turrets and chimneys, decorated with confetti-coloured ceramic-tile mosaics, enhance its whimsical appearance. Barcelona Flamboyant-style bridge over Gothic Quarter street Neo-Gothic façade of Barcelona Cathedral Gothic Quarter street musician Scaled undulating dragon-back roof of Antoni Gaudí's Casa Batlló CSANews | SUMMER 2018 | 21
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