Abstract
The heritage and the historical centers of many towns are increasingly presented, and sometimes massively consumed, as theme parks with a historical content. This paper analyzes the long term process involved in the creation of Barcelona's Gothic quarter (Barri Gòtic). This quarter came into being due to the combination of two parallel processes: the conclusion of the cathedral and the redevelopment of the city center. The Barri Gòtic was a conscious creation that was meant to provide the cathedral with a gothic environment and was created by gathering together fragments left over following the demolition of the historic city. It was conceived as a type of avant la lettre historic theme park and was essentially a creation of the mid-twentieth century.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.
