Casa de l'Ardiaca
Casa de l'Ardiaca
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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
9,732 within 3 miles
Attractions
1,511 within 6 miles
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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
4.0
69 reviews
Excellent
20
Very good
33
Average
16
Poor
0
Terrible
0
TheLeongOhana
United States7,505 contributions
Jan 2024 • Family
One of the main draws for our visit was to see the Roman history embedded in and outside this building.
Outside it incorporated a Roman Tower and inside a couple of the original Roman arches that previously supported the aqueduct was excavated.
The courtyard was filled with colorful tile art, a fountain and a tall palm tree that were nice to view along with the unique mailbox slot in front.
Good for a short visit before or after visiting the Barcelona Cathedral. It was free to enter.
Outside it incorporated a Roman Tower and inside a couple of the original Roman arches that previously supported the aqueduct was excavated.
The courtyard was filled with colorful tile art, a fountain and a tall palm tree that were nice to view along with the unique mailbox slot in front.
Good for a short visit before or after visiting the Barcelona Cathedral. It was free to enter.
Written January 18, 2024
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.
LostInTime
Pittsburgh, PA22,155 contributions
Jun 2024 • Business
This beautiful old building is near the church. It was once home to a bishop and later some kind of law office. You can see part of the Roman aquaduct inside. Which is cool. Also some really old books.
Written June 27, 2024
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.
Foodie_CST🍽🇷🇴
Kolios, Greece5,116 contributions
Sep 2019 • Family
Very lovely house with a beautiful garden, a bit hidden but very close to Catedral de Barcelona. You can see here a roman city wall, a nice fountain with a very old palm tree and also a nice marble-mail box with three swallows and a turtle. Definitely worth the stop if you are in the area, entry is free.
Written December 28, 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.
Loretta R
Hermosa Beach, CA395 contributions
May 2016 • Friends
The current House of L'Ardiaca was built in the 1400s AD by the Archdeacon Lluís Desplà, who converted the traditional 12th-century site of his residence into a Gothic palace. The palace is in the heart of the Gothic Quarters, and as the archdeacon’s residence, it sits just to the side of the Barcelona Cathedral’s main portal, its entry facing the cathedral. And if you prefer Roman history to Catholic medieval, the back wall of the palace uses the original Roman wall that forms the gateway into what had been imperial Barcelona, called Barcino by Romans. If you circle the exterior of the palace structure, you will see the Roman gateway. Entry into the palace is free, and although it is in the midst of possibly the busiest tourist square in Barcelona, the inner courtyard is amazingly peaceful. There is beautiful tile work all along the cloistered courtyard and at the center is a huge palm tree and sweet fountain. While the palace is likely not worth an independent visit, definitely check it out if you are in the Gothic Quarters. At the very least, walk by to see its famous turtle and swallows mailbox that is to the right of the entry. In 1895, the city’s Lawyers’ Association moved into the palace and commissioned architect Lluís Domènech i Montaner to design the letter box with five swallows to guarantee the freedom of justice and a turtle to represent bureaucratic procedures that delay the legal processes.
Written June 7, 2016
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.
Karen K
Lexington, KY142 contributions
Sep 2015
Outside this building may well be the most attractive mailbox you've ever seen, adorned with swallows and a turtle--an earlier era's way of suggesting air mail and slow mail? But the Archbishop's Palace is also home to temporary exhibits and features a restful courtyard. So go on in and see what else is there.
Written October 4, 2015
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.
jcwmanchester
Manchester, UK48 contributions
Dec 2018 • Couples
From a small entrance (with the most lavish letter box) off a passage perpendicular to the entrance steps to the Cathedral, you are led into the most peaceful courtyard to sit and recover from sightseeing and all the tourist crowds, with working fountain and hanging vegetation. Wander up the staircase to the open upper level for unusual views of the Cathedral.
And for once the experience is free!
And for once the experience is free!
Written December 31, 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.
Ian B
United Kingdom2 contributions
Sep 2022
Small but loved it drips history, about one minutes walk from Barcelona cathedral.
Barcelona documents storage properyy
Barcelona documents storage properyy
Written February 12, 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.
JnVSydney
Greater Sydney, Australia21,219 contributions
Nov 2022
Casa de l’Ardiaca near the cathedral. Now the home to the city’s archives it had beautiful tiling and also the remnants of the Roman aqueduct within its walls - it was once the residence of the Archdeacon.
Written December 10, 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.
Malgorzata
12,085 contributions
Dec 2018
Next to the Roman city wall is the entrance to the Casa de l'Ardiaca from the 12th century. This medieval work was in 1924 declared a Heritage of cultural interest. The architect Domènech i Montaner added to the Renaissance portal a unique marble-mail box with three swallows . In the courtyard of the house a palm tree was planted in the late19th century and next to it is a fountain. One of the most beautiful gothic buildings in Barcelona, just behind the cathedral .The patio with fountain in the center is very beautiful, a very cozy atmosphere. Free entrance.
Written October 3, 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.
dsam3
Athens, Greece386 contributions
Aug 2019 • Family
There is an artistic postbox right outside with a figure of a turtle that gives good luck to those who touch it! Inside there are plants and a fountain. Peaceful.
Written September 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.
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