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  • Location: Barcelona

The Antiquarian

The Antiquarian

Why a Booktrail?

2000s & Middle Ages: An ancient manuscript reveals to a trail of secrets…

  • ISBN: B00A0AFNMK
  • Genre: Fiction, Historical, Mystery

What you need to know before your trail

Novelist Enrique Alonso’s world is turned upside down when he receives an intriguing letter from his adoptive father, Artur.

Artur is a well-known antiquarian in Barcelona, reveals that he has discovered an ancient manuscript, but he feels uneasy and hints that they might be more to this find that he realises. Not long after, Artur is found murdered.

Not surprisingly, Enrique rushes to Barcelona to investigate his father’s death and retrieve the book. His ex-wife, Bety, a philologist, comes to his aid and the two set about translating and deciphering the encrypted text. Written in Latin and Old Catalan, the manuscript holds the key to the location of a priceless object dating back to the Middle Ages, and a secret closely guarded by the Jewish community living in the city’s Gothic Quarter.

But Enrique and Bety  are not the only ones following the trail……

Travel Guide

Barcelona

This book makes for a fascinating trail around the city of Barcelona!

La Palla Street

On Palla Street, a narrow alley that beings alongside Placa Sant Josep Oriol and Placa dei Pi, to end in Placa de la Cathedral – the traditional hub of antiques dealers.

Pi Street

The entrance to the workshop of the antiques place. “It was a very old building and the walls gave off the unmistakable aroma of ancient dankness typical of such big old houses. He worked on the Casadevell manuscript all day

El Puxtet

The entrance to El Puxtet is so well-hidden that it’s almost inaccessible to anyone who doesn’t know it. And it’s streets are so narrow and winding the buses stay out…

The only mass transit is right there, on the right – a stop where the metro just passes by the lower part of the neighborhood. Mariola’s house is up here

Carrer de la Pietat – Cathedral

They visit here as part of their investigation. Enrique goes to see the dean and they are there to find answers. On their way here, they have dodged hordes of Japanese tourist, fascinated by a skull in a shop window are blocking everyone else’s path

Carrer d’Aragó

Crossing the six lanes of Aragon Street dispersed his recollections, The place one has lived cherished experiences have the capacity to amplify the emotions they stir up.

Placa Sant Jaume

The heart of the city’s political and government activity. Enrique strolls through the Jewish Quarter nearby.

Streetview Maps

B) Calle Paller - The street of antiques
C) El Puxtet - the narrowest streets in the city

Booktrail Boarding Pass:  The Antiquarian

Author/Guide: Julián Sánchez  Destination: Barcelona Departure Time: 2000s, Middle Ages

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