Pont del Bisbe
Pont del Bisbe
4.3
Tours & experiences
Explore different ways to experience this place.
What is Travelers’ Choice?
Tripadvisor gives a Travelers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travelers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
Top ways to experience Pont del Bisbe
Are you currently on your trip?
Help us find experiences available for you.
The area
Address
Neighborhood: Barrio Gòtico (Barri Gòtic)
With its iconic, old-Europe streets and alleys, this picturesque neighborhood is the very heart of Barcelona. It blends historic artifacts from its days under Roman dominion up through the Spanish Civil War with a vibrant modern-day culture of artisan shops and authentic culinary experiences. Avid explorers will be thrilled to discover quaint terraces and plazas brought to life by the many small bars and local musicians lasting late into the night. Fashionistas will be drawn to Portal de L’Angel, which is lined with well-known brand names and smaller boutique stands.
How to get there
- Jaume I • 3 min walk
- Liceu • 5 min walk
Best nearby
Restaurants
9,940 within 3 miles
Attractions
1,635 within 6 miles
See what travelers are saying
- CPaM68Texas857 contributionsOne of the places we visited on The Kids and Family Gothic Quarter Walking Tour with Runner Bean Tours was the Pont del Bisbe (The Bishop's Bridge). I recognized it from a previous trip I had made to Barcelona several years ago. I stopped to take a picture with my three grandkids (ages 13, 12, and 10) and then made sure we all walked backward under the bridge while looking up. Many legends and superstitions exist about the bridge, with one being that if you make a wish and walk backward under the bridge while looking up at the skull and dagger on the underside, your wish will come true. I hope so. If it works, I'll be back in Barcelona next summer on another trip. Another legend says that if the dagger through the skull is removed, the city of Barcelona will be totally destroyed. Although it’s actually not a bridge, but a covered walkway built in the 1920s connecting the Government Palace and the Canon's House, it is one of the most famous and most photographed spots in the Gothic Quarter. Pont del Bisbe is right around the corner from the old cathedral in the Gothic Quarter, so it's easy to find if you want to get a good photo opt.Visited July 2024Traveled with familyWritten December 20, 2024
- Régis1972Lancy, Switzerland20,138 contributionsThe Pont del Bisbe is an emblematic bridge of the city of Barcelona, located in the Gothic Quarter, between Barcelona Cathedral and Plaza de Sant Jaume. The Gothic bridge was built by Gaudí disciple Joan Rubio and Bellver in 1928, during the remodeling of the neighborhood and served as a pedestrian link between the Casa dels Canonges (House of Canons) and the Palau de la Generalitat (Palace of the Generalitat). A must-see in Barcelona that will be discovered by passing through the alley on the right of the cathedralVisited October 2024Traveled soloWritten October 20, 2024
- Ric MBarcelona, Spain311 contributionsThe Bisbe Bridge is located on Calle del Bisbe, between Plaza Nova (Cathedral of Barcelona) and Plaza Sant Jaume (buildings headquarters of Barcelona City Hall and Palau de la Generalitat). It is one of the symbols of the Gothic Quarter of Barcelona, although it is not really in the Gothic style... since it dates from 1928. It links the Casa dels Canonges (official residence of the President of the Generalitat) with the building of the Generalitat de CatalunyaVisited September 2024Traveled as a coupleWritten September 20, 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Contribute
Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.3
241 reviews
Excellent
99
Very good
117
Average
24
Poor
1
Terrible
0
Jet F
1 contribution
Apr 2023 • Couples
Beautifully executed walkway between the two buildings which resembles the bridge of sighs & I can understand why it is one of the most photographed in Barcelona especially as it is located round the corner from the Cathedral. Although there are many legends and superstitions existing about the bridge - most notable is the skull and dagger on the underside. One legend says that if the dagger through the skull is removed, the city of Barcelona will be destroyed. Another legend is that if you make a wish and walk backwards under the bridge while looking at the skull, your wish will come true. Personally I believe the other motifs have been largely ignored or discounted but if you look closely there is skull & dagger = Tragedies, a crown = Histories, a jester's Marotte = Comedies & lastly, a quill = Sonnets making Joan Rubio was probably a fan of Shakespeare!!!
Written April 22, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
CPaM68
Texas857 contributions
Nov 2020
We came across Pont del Bisbe (The Bishop's Bridge) on our Rick Steves walking tour of the Gothic Quarter. It’s actually not a bridge, but a covered walkway connecting the Government Palace and the Canon's House. It’s said to be one of the most famous and one of the most photographed places in the Gothic Quarter. Why, I’m not exactly sure. Although its Gothic style is very intricate and beautiful, it was only built in the 1920s, so it is not nearly as old as it looks. Many legends and superstitions exist about the bridge - notice the skull and dagger on the underside. One legend says that if the dagger through the skull is removed, the city of Barcelona will be destroyed. Another legend is that if you make a wish and walk backwards under the bridge while looking at the skull, your wish will come true. I wish I would have known that before I visited and walked forward underneath it. I’m not too sure if it will work, but I guess it’s worth a try, and at least it will be a good photo opt. Pont del Bisbe is right around the corner from the cathedral and is easy to find.
Written October 12, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MerseysideTinkerbell
Merseyside, UK5,254 contributions
Nov 2021
This is not too far from the Cathedral and it is said to be like the Bridge of Sighs in Venice. I guess it may look of a similar style but .........
This is actually some information on the bridge and you will see that although it is in the Gothic Quarter of Barcelona it is not actually that old at all, in fact not even 100 years old yet!
One of the most photographed sights in Barcelona’s Gothic Quarter, El Pont del Bisbe (Bishop’s Bridge) was built for the Barcelona International Exposition which took place in 1929.
The bridge was designed by architect Joan Rubió I Bellver who suggested that all non-Gothic buildings in the immediate vicinity of Barcelona Cathedral should be demolished and replaced by new Gothic style buildings.
Fortunately, Rubió’s plan to beautify the Gothic Quarter was rejected and only the bridge, which links the Palau de la Generalitat to La Casa dels Canonges, was built.
So although maybe well photographed it is not actually that old, but still nice to go and see. Just when you see something and take a photo of it, make sure you find out the information about it.
This is actually some information on the bridge and you will see that although it is in the Gothic Quarter of Barcelona it is not actually that old at all, in fact not even 100 years old yet!
One of the most photographed sights in Barcelona’s Gothic Quarter, El Pont del Bisbe (Bishop’s Bridge) was built for the Barcelona International Exposition which took place in 1929.
The bridge was designed by architect Joan Rubió I Bellver who suggested that all non-Gothic buildings in the immediate vicinity of Barcelona Cathedral should be demolished and replaced by new Gothic style buildings.
Fortunately, Rubió’s plan to beautify the Gothic Quarter was rejected and only the bridge, which links the Palau de la Generalitat to La Casa dels Canonges, was built.
So although maybe well photographed it is not actually that old, but still nice to go and see. Just when you see something and take a photo of it, make sure you find out the information about it.
Written March 1, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
🩶⚜️ 𝓝𝓪𝓽𝔂® ⚜️🩶
Moscow, Russia180,397 contributions
Jul 2022 • Couples
The bridge was built at the beginning of the 20th century. The stunning lace bridge was designed by the most gifted architect Joan Rubio, the famous Catalan modernist who worked with Antoni Gaudí on projects of the caliber of Casa Batlló, amazing buildings, the Sagrada Familia and other amazing buildings.
Written December 9, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
macedonboy
Glasgow, UK186,085 contributions
Jul 2019 • Solo
The El Pont del Bisbe is a small bridge that connects Palau de la Generalitat to La Casa dels Canonges. A very popular sight in Barcelona and I'm not surprised as it's postcard picture perfect.
Written July 17, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rabih SOUAID
Düsseldorf, Germany2,217 contributions
Feb 2019 • Solo
Free.
Close to Barcelona Cathedral.
visit Duration: 15 minutes.
The bridge bears the name of Obispo Irurita, who was the bishop of Barcelona. This bridge links the Palau de la Generalitat to La Casa dels Canonges.
You will notice the Skull and dagger motif decorating the underside of the bridge. Many superstitions exist. Among them that the skull rather than being a stone carving, it is in fact a real human skull!
Another legend says that if the dagger which traverses the skull is ever removed then the city of Barcelona will be destroyed.
Another legend states that if you make a wish while walking backwards under the bridge and looking directly at the skull then that wish will come true.
Close to Barcelona Cathedral.
visit Duration: 15 minutes.
The bridge bears the name of Obispo Irurita, who was the bishop of Barcelona. This bridge links the Palau de la Generalitat to La Casa dels Canonges.
You will notice the Skull and dagger motif decorating the underside of the bridge. Many superstitions exist. Among them that the skull rather than being a stone carving, it is in fact a real human skull!
Another legend says that if the dagger which traverses the skull is ever removed then the city of Barcelona will be destroyed.
Another legend states that if you make a wish while walking backwards under the bridge and looking directly at the skull then that wish will come true.
Written April 11, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
pamstott
Sydney, Australia14 contributions
Jul 2018 • Friends
Beautiful street in which the bridge is situated (bishop street) and definitely worth a stroll.... the detail on the bridge is incredible
Written July 16, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
chriswood72
Nottingham, UK1,421 contributions
Mar 2017 • Friends
The Pont del Bisbe (Bishop Street Bridge) is a Gothic bridge built in 1928 and connects the House of Canons with the Palau de la Generalitat.
The decor is inspired by the forms of flamboyant Gothic and one of the most photographed sights in the Gothic Quarter of Barcelona.
You are bound to come across it whilst exploring the Gothic Quarter.
Similar to the Bridge of Sighs in Venice/Oxford.
The decor is inspired by the forms of flamboyant Gothic and one of the most photographed sights in the Gothic Quarter of Barcelona.
You are bound to come across it whilst exploring the Gothic Quarter.
Similar to the Bridge of Sighs in Venice/Oxford.
Written March 27, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Philip N
Bel Air, MD158 contributions
Jun 2019
It reminds me of the Bridge of Sighs. Without the canals. Or the prison. But it is still really neat and you will probably stumble upon it when you are wandering aroung Barcelona Cathedral.
Written October 21, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ed T
San Marino, CA109 contributions
Dec 2018 • Couples
So we walked around and around using google map to tracked this bridge. It took us awhile but we found it eventually. It is near the Barcelona Cathedral! So many tourists here !
Written January 6, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
No questions have been asked about this experience
Related Stories
*Likely to sell out: Based on Viator’s booking data and information from the provider from the past 30 days, it seems likely this experience will sell out through Viator, a Tripadvisor company.
Is this your Tripadvisor listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
Claim your listing