Barcelona’s Ciutat Vella (Old Town) is where the city itself came into being. Settled by the prehistoric Laietani, the area stretching between the Besòs and Llobregat river deltas was chosen by the Romans around 15 BC to be the site of their new colonia (town): Barcino. They surrounded the town with defensive walls, ruins of which can still be seen today. The Roman forum, on the Plaça de Sant Jaume, was replaced by the medieval Palau de la Generalitat in 1596, the seat of Catalonia’s government, and the Ajuntament (Casa de la Ciutat), the city’s town hall. Close by are the Gothic cathedral and royal palace, where Columbus was received by Fernando and Isabel on his return from the New World in 1492.

As the medieval town grew wealthy from trade across the Mediterranean, it expanded out into El Born and, later, rural El Raval. In the 18th century, Barceloneta was developed into a fishing quarter. The medieval walls surrounded the city until the mid-19th century, when they were torn down for an urban expansion project which saw the creation of neighbouring Eixample.

Today, the Old Town remains the beating heart of the Catalan capital, particularly its main artery La Rambla, a magnet for locals and tourists alike, and one of the most vibrant streets in Europe.