The visit to the Born and La Ribera I recommend begins in the crossroads of La Rambla and Carrer Ample (next to the Columbus Column), in the Gothic Quarter of Barcelona. The first interesting building we will find is the Basilica de la Mercè. If we keep walking along this street we will arrive to the Basilica of Santa Maria del Mar, one of the most beautiful churches in Barcelona.
And in the rear of this impressive church begins the Born Boulevard, a peaceful place during the day, but a lively place at night. I recommend two pubs to have a drink:
And in the rear of this impressive church begins the Born Boulevard, a peaceful place during the day, but a lively place at night. I recommend two pubs to have a drink:
- El Copetín (Pg. del Born 18, Metro L4 Jaume I Station)
- Ribborn (Carrer Antic de Sant Joan 3, L4 Jaume I Station)
Also at the rear of Santa Maria del Mar, on the left, begins Montcada Street. This narrow and typical medieval street was possibly the most exclusive one in the past, as the palaces of this street indicate. In two of these palaces the Picasso Museum and the Textile Museum are located.
These are the interesting places and buildings we will see along this route:
These are the interesting places and buildings we will see along this route:
- Basílica de la Mercè
- Santa Maria del Mar
- Born Boulevard
- Born Centre Cultural
- Carrer de Montcada
- Picasso Museum
Basilica de la Mercè
Basílica de la Mercè is the church of the patron saint of BarcelonaSanta Maria del Mar
Facade of Santa Maria del Mar. This church is surrounded and hidden by really nearby buildings, which difficults to obtain an overall impression of this imposing church, whose total width is 33 meters, which is also equal to the maximum height of the building
Inside the church of Santa Maria del Mar is really easy to realize the beauty of this gothic church
The church of Sant Maria del Mar in Barcelona is actually an outstanding example of Catalan Gothic, with a purity and unity of style that are very unusual in large mediaeval buildings
The church of Sant Maria del Mar in Barcelona is actually an outstanding example of Catalan Gothic, with a purity and unity of style that are very unusual in large mediaeval buildings
From the Fossar de les Moreres, one of the former cemeteries which existed next to Santa Maria del Mar, we can get a nice image of the buttresses of the the side facade, ended with an slender bell tower
Streetlamp in Born Boulevard with the apse of Santa Maria del Mar in the background. The apse of this wonderful church is in the beginning of the Born boulevard, where there are a lot of pubs. The Born is always a really animated quarterBorn Boulevard
Another image of the Born boulevard at this sunny midday of Christmas Day. Santa Maria del Mar appears at the end of this boulevard
A nice medieval palace in Born Boulevard
This image provides a better overall view of the heart of the Born quarter, the Born Boulevard, a typical cobble street in the Born quarter. In the background of this image appears shyly the apse of Sta Maria del Mar Born Centre Cultural
An image of the Born market, built in 19th century. In February 2002, while building works were done to take in a library, archaeological remains of the medieval town appeared
Below the cast-iron structure of Born Centre Cultural in Barcelona you can visit roman remains found in 2002 and a exhibition on the Siege of 1714
Carrer de Montcada (Montcada Street)
Here, where Montcada Street begins, there are some boutiques a bit exclusive
A nice courtyard of one of the medieval palaces in Montcada Street. In this palace is located the Textile Museum
Montaca street near Picasso Museum
Picasso Museum
This courtyard is the main entrance to Picasso Museum. This museum is also located in a medieval palace of Montcada Street
Finally, this courtyard is the exit of Picasso MuseumMuseo Picasso Useful Information
- Address: C/ Montcada 15-23
- Tel: 93 256 30 00
- How to get there: Metro L4, stop Jaume I. Bus 14, 17, 19, 39, 40, 45, 51 and 59. Barcelona Bus Turístic, stop Pla de Palau.
- Web site: www.museupicasso.bcn.es
- Tuesday to Sunday and public holidays, from 10am to 8pm.
- January 1st, May 1st, June 24th December 25th & 26th closed.
In the old city of Barcelona you can also visit other beautiful places:
- Church of Santa Maria del Mar
- Church of Sant Pere de les Puelles
- Cathedral of Barcelona
- Plaça del Pi and Santa Maria del Pi
- Plaça del Rei
- Sant Felip Neri Square and Church
- Plaça de Sant Just and Sant Just i Pastor church
- Plaça Reial
- Barcino Roman City
- Santa Anna Church
- El Portal de L'Angel
- La Rambla
- El Raval
- Call Jueu (Jewish Quarter)
- Born-La Ribera district
- Carrer Petritxol
Finally, clicking on the next link you will find links to more beautiful and interesting places of Barcelona.
