The Gothic Quarter was a scavenger hunt of old storefronts

Barcelona Buildings

Strolling 25,000 steps a day in this town full of architectural delights, we noticed an old store front called Casa Beethoven. Filled with great sheet music and all sorts of instruments, we looked down on the way out and stepped over a bronze plaque about 25 inches by 25 inches. We had to ask the shopkeeper about this designation and what it meant. We found that any store which had been in business for over a hundred years had a special plaque to mark its age. Casa Beethoven has been a music store since 1880! The proprietor told us to walk around the Gothic Quarter around La Rambla because we could find numerous city markers. So we did!

Casa Beethoven, La Rambla, 97

 

 

Four Cats 1897 – This restaurant has been a meeting point for artists like Gaudi and Picasso.

Carrer de Montsio, 3

 

 

Cereria Subira 1761 – This luminous baroque interior with curved staircase sells beeswax molded into a myriad of shapes.

Baixada de la Libreteria, 7

 

 

Casa Culleretes 1786 – Fresh seafood and sticky stews are featured at this oldest restaurant in Barcelona

Carrer d’en Quintana, 5

 

 

El Rei de la Magia 1895 – This is heralded as the oldest magic shop in the world.

Carrer de la Princesa, 11

 

 

La Colmena Pasteleria 1849 – The fragrant aroma of homemade candies and cakes emanates out the door of this old storefront.

Placa de l’Angel, 12

 

 

Farmacia Nadal 1918 – Very helpful pharmacy when we asked them where we should go to get our covid test to fly back to the States.

La Rambla, 121

 

 

Sombrereria 1924 – Great hat shop featuring fedoras, sunhats, and boler hats

Carrer dell Call, 2