This enormous church is in the older part of the city, called El Born, and is one of the most impressive gothic temples not only in Barcelona but for all of Spain.

Workers carrying stones on their backs are represented on the main doors of the church, in commemoration of the guild members who personally helped to transport the heavy stone from the quarry to their new church.

The interior was burned out by locals in 1936 during the Spanish Civil War, after the Church sided with Franco against the people. Smoke still blackens parts of the vault, but the resulting lack of furnishings only enhances the architecture's simple beauty.

The Barri Gòtic, or Gothic district, and La Rambla, can be easily recognised as the oldest and most historic part of Barcelona with its medieval buildings and labyrinthine narrow roads. From the 4th Century until the middle of the 19th century it was entirely enclosed by strong Roman walls and fortifications. Fragments of these walls can still be seen, most notably around the La Seu Cathedral and around Calle Avinyo. Barcelona's cathedral, itself a splendid example of Gothic architecture at its finest, was begun in 1298 and completed in 1448. This was the period of Barcelona's medieval golden age. As the Mediterranean city's trade and economy flourished, its architects laid down the foundations of many of what are still the city's most important buildings today. The church of Santa María del Pi and the Saló de Tinell in Plaça del Rei are some of the most significant legacies of the European Gothic movement.

The narrow, winding streets create quite a labyrinth and means that it may take a while to get your bearings. I recommend that you should always look up and around you or you may miss some of the best bits.

You will be spoilt for choice of restaurants and bars, especially around Placa Reial which is always full day and night. The night-life in the Gothic Quarter is lively to say the least and you will always find somewhere to have a drink or a dance. Calle Ferran, which is just to one side of Placa Reial and leads up to Placa Sant Jaume with its imposing government buildings is also good for bars and cafes.

The Magic Fountain of Montjuic began it´s shows on 19 May 1929 during the Great Universal Exhibition and continues to delight visitors to Barcelona today.

The fountain delivers a spectacular display of colour, light and water acrobatics with musical accompaniment every Thursday to Sunday in the summer months and every Friday and Saturday during winter.

Barcelona’s biggest ornamental fountain, which was built in 1929 for the International Exhibition, offers a spectacular display of music, water acrobatics and lights which generate over 50 kinds of shades and hues. The Montjuïc Magic Fountain has become one of Barcelona’s most popular attractions and is where the “Piromusical” is held, a true balletic spectacle of water and light.