Barcelona is much more than beach, the Sagrada Familia and the Camp Nou. Apart from the traditional sightseeing tours of the city we can find secrets only known by its inhabitants that allow us to learn about the city’s history and to understand why the city is as it is today. That’s why today we propose a route through the most magical corners of the city that do not appear in tourist guides. Fancy joining us?

The city’s Roman aqueducts

Studies have shown that in Roman Barcelona there were two aqueducts to bring water to the city. Both reached the present Plaça Nova, where we can contemplate a reconstruction of the aqueduct, besides the two defence towers that are still standing in perfect condition. Another remain of these aqueducts can be seen in Carrer Duran i Bas, by Plaça Vuit de Març.

A square with a lot of history

In the heart of the Gothic quarter we find a square that just with its walls conveys a large part of the city’s history. This is the Plaça de Sant Felip Neri, where, in the Church walls, the holes caused by the shrapnel of the air raid of 1938 can still be seen. A few years later, when the church was restored, it was decided to preserve the facade never to forget the history of the city.

Anti-aircraft shelters

Recalling also the air raid of 1938, we must remember that Barcelona has not always been peaceful and colourful as it is at present. During the civil war of 1936 the survival of its inhabitants forced to create antiaircraft shelters to survive the attacks. Nowadays, some of these shelters allow visiting and preserve some chambers as they were almost 100 years ago.

La Casa Vicens

Although when we think of Antoni Gaudí we always end up thinking about Parc Güell, Casa Batlló or the Sagrada Familia, one of the most beautiful buildings in the city was also designed by him. This is the Casa Vicens, located in Carolinas Street, full of oriental details and very different shapes from other buildings in the city. The building does not allow visitors although just appreciating it from outside is a great spectacle.