5 Magical Legends of Barcelona’s Gothic Quarter

Wandering through the stony maze of Barcelona’s old city center, coming across picturesque plazas, historic churches, and charming cafés, you might start to feel like you’re in a fairytale. Perhaps it won’t come as a surprise, then, that this bewitching area of the city is home to lots of supernatural tales about Barcelona.

From wicked witches and dragons to enchanted fountains, here are some of the most captivating Barcelona Gothic Quarter legends that have worked their ways into the very walls of the city.

Enjoy!

The Lucky Turtle

Give this little turtle a pat and you’ll get good luck! You’ll find him perched on the wall outside the Casa de l’Ardiaca, which is just outside the cathedral on a peaceful side street.

The stone rectangle he’s on was originally a mailbox. As cute as the animal sculptures are, this is actually a story about the justice system – fitting, as the building once housed the Lawyers’ Association!

There’s a sword for justice and birds to represent the ideal of justice as free and unbiased – but also a tangled web of ivy and a turtle that reference the often slow, difficult processes of justice.   

Inside the Casa de l’Ardiaca, you can view different exhibitions and public archives, plus a piece of the original Roman aqueduct that ran through the city centuries ago. There’s also a beautiful patio in the entryway and an upstairs terrace with great views of the gargoyles on the cathedral.   

Sant Jordi and the Dragon

You might know Barcelona’s patron saint Sant Jordi better by his English name, Saint George. He’s plastered all over Barcelona if you know where to look.

The giveaway clue that you’ve found a Jordi is that he’ll be stabbing a dragon. The Gothic Quarter is home to a whole host of statues of Sant Jordi, including one on the postcard-perfect Carrer del Bisbe, a big one on the front of the government buildings in Plaça Sant Jaume, one inside the cathedral’s cloister, and even a tiny little one on a back street by a rowdy Irish pub.

There are occasionally more subtle nods to the legend of Saint George elsewhere in the city, like the shimmering rooftop of Gaudí’s Casa Batlló, said to be inspired by the skin of the dragon.

If you’re in town on April 23rd, make sure to see the beautiful celebrations for the Diada de Sant Jordi, which is the most romantic Catalan holiday of the year!

The Cathedral Geese

The quiet, shaded cloister of the Barcelona Cathedral is home to a gaggle of 13 geese. They’re not there because the clergy are animal-lovers; they actually represent one of the more tragic tales in Barcelona’s history.

Santa Eulalia is the other patron saint of Barcelona (along with Sant Jordi). She was a martyr during Roman times, and killed at the age of 13. Some versions of the story say she suffered 13 tortures, one for every year of her life. Today, the 13 geese are housed in the cathedral as a nod to the saint.

If you visit the cathedral, consider going before noon or late in the afternoon, because you can get in for free then! The hours vary slightly by day, so check on the website before you go.

Also, don’t mix up the Barcelona Cathedral with the Sagrada Família! Lots of visitors assume the Gaudí piece must be the cathedral as it’s by far the most famous church in the city, but the real cathedral is in the Gothic Quarter.

The Magic Fountain

What if you could instantly guarantee a trip back to Barcelona with one simple step? It sounds like an infomercial scam, but it’s actually one of the city’s most beloved superstitions.

The Canaletes Fountain, located right at the top of Las Ramblas, is decorated with the shield of Barcelona and topped with an iron street lamp. There’s a plaque on the street level that explains the story:

“If you drink the water

From the Fountain of Canaletes

You will forever be

In love with Barcelona.

And no matter how far you go,

You’ll always return.”

The fountain is also where fans of FC Barcelona come to celebrate after victories, chanting and waving Barça flags around. That’s because there used to be a newspaper office here, which had a chalkboard outside where the scores were posted. The offices don’t exist anymore, but the tradition still does!

The Spitting Gargoyles

There are tons of different gargoyles jutting out from the walls of the cathedral, including lions, unicorns, elephants – and some that are supposedly witches petrified as monstrous figures for eternity due to their wicked behavior.

That behavior was spitting on the Corpus Christi processions as they went by. As a fitting punishment, these bewitched figures now serve as plumbing for the cathedral. They do actually “spit” today, in a way. On rainy days, they serve as waterspouts and shower unsuspecting pedestrians with torrents of water – so look out below!

Which one of these Barcelona Gothic Quarter legends do you like the best?

Besos!

-Jess

Thank you to Barcelona Turisme for helping me learn more about the city’s wonderful history of legends and myths!