Welcome to Plaça Sant Jaume—Barcelona’s political stage! Take a look around. See the building with four Ionic columns and a clock? That’s the City Hall. Now turn around to spot the other key building on the square: the Palau de la Generalitat, seat of the Catalan Government, crowned with its colorful dome. This square has been a political hub since Roman times—the Roman Forum was likely located here, along with the Temple of Augustus—yes, the one we just saw! The name, though, sounds more religious than Roman, doesn’t it? It comes from a medieval church dedicated to St. James, demolished in the 1800s. But we’ll get back to the name of the square. For now, are you ready for a closer look at City Hall?