It is the oldest part of the city and acquired its character during the Gothic period when Barcelona was one of the most important merchant cities in the Mediterranean. However the roots of the city can be traced back to Roman times and remains of the Roman wall can still be seen in the city today." Most of the buildings are from the 14th and 15th century, when Barcelona was at the height of its commercial prosperity and before it had been absorbed into Castile in the early 1700's.
Here, we find the Gothic palaces of the City Council and the Government. Several squares make up the quarter such as Placa Sant Felip Neri in which Gaudi was unfortunately run over by a tram. The square is also considered to be the most charming in the Gothic Quarter.