Barcelona

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Barcelona

We woke up early, learned that France beat Spain in the World Cup quarters from BBC World, ate, showered and got a cab to Placa de Sant Jaume in the Barri Gotic area. We started with a little shopping at a couple of ceramics shops and then walked to the Sinagoga Medieval de Barcelona, the old medieval synagoge that’s being restored. Its on top of Roman ruins, some of which are visible.

We ate a quick sandwich at a little sandwich shop, and then walked over to the Cathedral.

An overhead bridge like the "bridge of sighs" in Venice

An overhead bridge like the "bridge of sighs" in Venice

The Cathedral includes a cloister with a flock of geese said to be of a lineage from the geese on Capitaline Hill in Rome, a pool with fish and a turtle, and palm trees. The cathedral itself is very dark. It has a unique, open alter, and a tomb for St. Eulalia, who was martyred after 13 tortures (she was crucified on an X cross).

We then walked around the Cathedral to see a few other sights, then walked north to a modernist house, Casa Marti.

We walked back into Barri Gotic, doing some more shopping along Carrer Banys Nous, especially at Caelum, Carrer de la Palla 8, a shop specializing in “temptacions de monestirs” (temptations of the monistaries), finally stopping at a tapas bar, la Calxa, for dinner – the tapas were really fresh and really good.

Caelum card

Caelum card

We walked out to Via Laietana (I bought an FC Barcelona jersey at a tourist shop, this one official) and got a cab back to the hotel.

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