Shopping in Barcelona: part 2 Gothic Quarter
This is the old city of Barcelona where you find the main public buildings: the Palace of the Generalitat (Autonomous Government of Catalonia), the City Hall, and the Cathedral; narrow winding streets and pretty squares steeped in history.
His traditional cake shop from the late 19th century is famous for its products such as 12 different kinds of caramels and sponges and coloured meringues in summer.
In 1784 Josep Calicó moved to Barcelona and converted a simple hobby, stamp collecting, into a family profession. In 1920 the existing shop was opened on the ground floor and dedicated to the sale and interchange of stamps, as well as items related to heraldry.
Subirà Wax Chandler
For many centuries, wax has been used for lighting in the form of candles and torches, and is still much used by the church. Quality wax was not produced in Barcelona however and it was imported from elsewhere until 1761 when Jacint Galí started making and selling quality wax candles here.
This espadrille workshop opened in 1941 and continues the same today. The traditional espadrilles worn by country people are sold here, black for men and red for women and they are commonly worn by folk dancers as well as being a popular comfortable and cool shoe in summer. They became popularized by Salvador Dalí who wore them wherever he went.
El Pilar
Here you can find genuine Manila shawls and fans.
In 1924 hats were an essential part of dress and were worn daily. Obach could not find a hat that fit him and so he decided to open a business of custom made hats. The wooden wardrobes and tables are the original ones as well as the two entrances and the shop windows specially designed so the hats can be seen from all angles.
L’Arca de L’Àvia (Grandmother’s Ark)
This shop specialises in period clothes and regularly collaborates with costumes for theatre and cinema (for example Titanic).
This tea room, whose name means “of the sky” is in the old Jewish quarter of Barcelona. Here you can taste and/or buy products made in convents and monasteries around Spain (oil, soap, etc) particularly biscuits and cakes.
A beautiful square with the Gothic church Santa Maria del Pi, with a 10m diameter rose window. Notice the sgraffito (patterns) on the façades of the houses.
San José Prints
In 1919 this family business was started here in a former fur and hide shop. Now internationally acclaimed, it continues to be a family business which has widened its product range to include religious figures and pictures.
In 1911 the brothers Ramon and Josep Roca opened this establishment, having learned the skill in Germany and France. It is known for the enormous range and quality of its products: knives, scissors, cutting boards, brushes, combs, cutlery, and all kinds of cutting instruments used in personal hygiene are found here. “Behind any business, apart from skill there must be spirit” say the proprietors.
You have the option of entering the Sala Parés or free time for shopping in Carrer Petritxol.
One of the narrowest street in the city, it is full of art galleries and cafes where you can have a “suïs” (hot chocolate topped with cream). The ceramic tiles depict historical events that have happened in this street.
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