Portal del Bisbe

Initially the Porta Praetoria gave access to the Colonia Iulia Augusta Faventia Paterna Barcino, the Roman city founded in the year 15 B.C. in the time of the Emperor Augustus.

Of its original three arches, the one we see now is one of the gateways for pedestrians, and the two circular-floored towers which protected the sides ( 1st-5th centuries A.D. ).

In the 12th century the two towers, owned by the cathedral archdeacons, were repaired and completed.

In the 16th century various windows were added.

In 1614 the Generalitat (the Catalan Government) built an arch and a gallery, which were destroyed in 1823.

Its present-day appearance dates from 1883-1895.

The left-hand tower contains the Saint Roc niche.