7. Christianity, the Visigoths and the city
In the early 5th century, Barcino underwent far-reaching changes. The imperial government and administration were replaced by new authorities, namely the Visigoth monarchs and the Christian Church. The Roman population and a Germanic minority lived side by side in the city and the shift in beliefs shaped its growth.
The city’s small size and the robust walls standing guard over it prompted the Visigoths to choose it as a stronghold. Meanwhile, the ecclesiastical hierarchy built its own representation venues and the small city gradually became the de facto capital of the territory.