Pla? a de Sant Jaume has long been the center of the political life of the city. Once this area was the Roman Forum. Then, in the 15th century, the buildings of the city hall and the government of Catalonia were built in the Gothic Quarter. The city hall building has been rebuilt several times; the Gothic decor with the image of the coat of arms of Barcelona has been preserved from the previous buildings. Two monuments are erected at the entrance to the city hall - the founder of the city council and the royal adviser, who forced the courtiers to pay taxes.→