The cobbled streets of Barcelona's Gothic Quarter offer a veritable showcase of history and art. They run through the ruins of the ancient Roman city amid medieval splendour. The area has been the cradle of counts and kings, and its beauty meanders under arches, through passageways and along hidden alleys. The strategic centre of the area is the Plaza del Rei, the King's Place, alongside the Palau Reial Major, the main Royal Palace. A few steps away is the Museu d'Historia de la Ciutat, the City History Museum. The area around the Cathedral houses magnificent buildings and beautiful churches such as the Santa Llucia. Sant Jaume Square is located in the heart of the Gothic Quarter. Adjacent streets are home to the Town Hall and the Palau de la Generalitat.