Photo Tour through El Borne and the Gothic Quarter:
Lights, shadows, and alleys full of history
Start your photo walk or photo tour in the vibrant Boquería Market, capturing the chaotic energy of people as they go about their daily routines. Located in the heart of Las Ramblas, this bustling market is a perfect spot to begin your journey.
From here, we’ll explore the Gothic Quarter, with its narrow streets, charming alleys, and open courtyards full of light. This area of El Born features some of the best-preserved Gothic architecture in Europe, and we’ll also visit the Jewish Quarter, which has been around for over 600 years, home to the oldest synagogue on the continent.
After enjoying some delicious tapas, we’ll continue the photo tour and explore the El Born neighborhood, where you can experience the most authentic side of Barcelona. We’ll visit Santa Maria del Mar, a stunning 13th-century church. Back then, Vilanova del Mar (now part of El Born) was a hub for shipbuilding, trade, and artisan workshops, a history still reflected in the street names today.
This period of material and cultural growth, supported by the church, merchants, and King Pere III, led to the construction of the magnificent Santa Maria del Mar temple. The stones used to build the church were carried by the bastaixos—port workers who brought them from the nearby Montjuïc Mountain. Today, this majestic Gothic church still stands as a symbol of the neighborhood’s rich history.
We begin at the vibrant Boquería Market, in the heart of Las Ramblas, capturing the energy of people moving through their daily routines. Next, we explore the Gothic Quarter, with its alleys and courtyards full of history, highlighting one of the best-preserved Gothic footprints in Europe. We’ll also visit the old Jewish Quarter, home to the oldest synagogue on the continent.
After a tapas break, we continue through the Born District, where the authentic spirit of Barcelona comes to life. We’ll reach the majestic Santa María del Mar, built in the 13th century during the boom of the area known as ‘La Ribera’. Discover how merchants, the church, and King Pere III supported the construction of this temple, with stones carried by hand by the bastaixos, port workers from Barcelona.
