Roman wall

Point of interest (1) Carrer del Bisbe, 12. Roman wall and the Cathedral. Northwest door.

The feast day of Saint Roc is held on 16^th August. On this day the square is full of “gegants” as shown in Picasso’s painting, but let me introduce the night watchman “El Sereno”.

The night watchman (El Sereno) was in charge of surveilling the streets and regulating public lighting. In the neighbourhoods of Barcelona he also had to open doors, announce the time and weather conditions. It was usual for him to be armed with a stick, and to use a whistle to alarm just in case. As a trade, this job existed in Barcelona from the 18^th century to the mid-19^th century. Over the years, he listened to myths and legends in every corner of the city. Today, you will learn these legends from the night watchman. Legends, more than a story, make up a collection of popular knowledge, which has created the fantastic city of Barcelona. Listen carefully to the night watchman. Now we are at the northwest door of the Roman walls. Here, during the 2^nd century, the Christians were persecuted by the Roman emperors. One example of this persecution was a girl named Eulalia. Let the night watchman tell us the legend.