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Barcelona’s iconic shops and businesses again become scenarios for discovery and tradition this Christmas. The Directorate for Commerce, Restaurants and Food is launching three themed routes to highlight historical professions, centenarian establishments and spaces that form part of the city’s living history.

The routes in El Gòtic, in Sant Andreu and in L’Eixample invite citizens to explore shops that retain the essence of former professions and have been passed on from generation to generation. The route around the Gòtic neighbourhood offers a chance to rediscover traditional crafts and trades such as cutlers, bookbinders and chandlers. The route in Sant Andreu focuses on shops that explain the neighbourhood’s commercial history, while the one in L’Eixample offers a gastronomy route that links tradition with gourmet produce.

Those taking part this year can also have a go at the game “Guess what they do”, a challenge to identify the tasks of the trades represented in the illuminated parts installed in shop windows. Anyone wishing to take part simply needs to observe each window, recognise the trade and fill in an entry form available at the establishments, or use the QR code on the app that will be soon be available.

The routes start on 9, 10 and 11 December, at 6 pm, with guided tours setting off from each area: Sant Andreu, Eixample and Gòtic, respectively. Each route includes stops at various iconic establishments, enabling participants to get an insight into their history and trade.

In addition, everybody completing the routes has the chance of a hamper with products from the iconic establishments on each route. There are three routes and three hampers to be won, one for each route, with people able to take part in all three. An initiative that celebrates Christmas centring on local commerce and Barcelona’s commercial identity.