Carrer de Sant Pau,
Liceu

One of the many narrow streets running east of La Rambla. Carrer de Sant Pau sets off along the north side of the Liceu Opera House, cutting its way deep through the heart of Barri Xines, an area once infamous for crime and prostitution.

Those combing their way through this great city's venerable history have remarked upon the prevalence of hairiness as a continuing theme. Best documented is Hairy Willy (a.k.a. Wilfred the Hairy), a ninth century count and legendary figure in Barcelona. You'll find his likeness carved in stone above the east doorway of the Cathedral.

A rather more unusual strand of this particular historical niche is a 19th century character, 'En Bigotis', who, as Robert Hughes tells us in his book 'Barcelona', grew a mustache so famous, and so wide, that it reputedly brushed along both walls of many of the city's narrower streets. The biggest, most widely made claim, was that of the Carrer de Sant Pau -- nearly 20 foot wide in places!

contributor: Nigel Hayler