Spain Blog #24: Barcelona: Ancient Roman Ruins and a Ghost

Temple of Augustus

Another place we visited in Barcelona was the ancient Roman ruins, and there was a ghost nearby! 
Yesterday we talked about the Cathedral Generalitat. Well, the Roman ruins are right next to the cathedral. The Roman ruins are that of the Temple of Augustus.


WHAT IS THE TEMPLE OF AUGUSTUS?  The Temple of Augustus was a Roman temple built during the Imperial period in the late first century BC! It was built for the colony of Barcino (modern day Barcelona). It was a place of worship for Emperor Augustus and was the forum for politics and rule. It was also the central building on Tàber Hill, currently in Carrer del Paradís number 10, in the city's Gothic Quarter

THE STRUCTURE:   It was 37 meters long and 17 meters wide, and the front contained six columns (hexastyle temple). The columns surrounded the entire building, which had a single nave inside. The temple was reconstructed by the architect Puig i Cadafalch in the early 20th century.

Rob and Tom outside the ruins

WHAT DOES IT LOOK LIKE TODAY? Inside a small medieval courtyard, there are four columns from the Temple of Augustus. They are more than 2,000 years old, and stand on a stone floor base. 

Info about the temple

THE GHOST ON CARRIER PRADIS - Near the temple ruins is a street called Carrer Paradis (Paradise Street). As we approached the street (which looks more like an alleyway) I (Rob) suddenly got very dizzy and my knees buckled! I sensed a Moor soldier who lived in Barcelona in 800 A.D. and died there. He was standing still at his post and not speaking. I don't know his name, and because he didn't react, I get the sense that he was residual energy (that is, an emotional impression that was so strong it left an image) and not an interactive ghost. 

NEXT: THE 360 LOUNGE WITH A GREAT VIEW

A stone marker from the temple