Travel Guide & Photo
Galleries of Barcelona, Spain
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PHOTO
GALLERY - PORT VELL AND BARCELONETA
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| Barceloneta - a fishing district
which was originally built to house those who lost their homes when the
old La Ribera district of Barcelona disappeared. Begun in 1753 by
Próspero Vervoon with one story houses. However, in 1837,
the barón de Meer authorised the addition of another storey to each
building and the area became the first "eixample" (expansion) of Barcelona.
Blocks of flats were constructed, 100m x 100m in straight streets and the
beaches were cleared. Barceloneta is within easy walking distance
of Las Ramblas and the Gothic Area of Barcelona. |
| Port Vell, the old fishing port,
maintains the classic air of Mediterranean fishing ports, with the exception
of the fine yachts moored there! Unfortunately it was a cloudy day when
I visited... |
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PHOTO
GALLERY - CASA BATTLÓ - designed by ANTONI GAUDÍ
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| The magical world of Casa Battló
- designed by Antoni Gaudí for the Battló family. More
than a building, it is a legend of art and the masterpiece of Antoni Gaudí.
The Modernist facade represents the waves of a calm sea - the roof tiles
look like fanciful scales. The attics and chimneys never fail to
delight and fascinate. As Gaudí was known to say ".. the
only straight line is the horizon..." |
| Originally the architect was asked
by the textile magnate Josep Batlló to demolish a nondescript building
designed in the 1870s by Emilio Sala Cortés and create a new house.
But Gaudí convinced Batlló that he could keep the existing
structural framework and remodel it into a masterpiece that would both
shock and delight fin de siècle Barcelona. Casa Batlló is
situated on the Paseo de Gracia in L'Eixample, one of Barcelona's most
exclusive neighborhoods. Also on this so-called "block of discord" are
the houses of other prominent industrialist families such as the Amattlers
and the Lleós. At the turn of the century these families were engaged
in a battle to "keep up with the Joneses." |
| If one house featured tile, the
next house would incorporate more elaborate tile. If one family hired a
particular architect, the next family to build would hire a more prominent
one. |
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| Gaudí was the last architect
in this competitive sequence to build in the notorious block of discord.
By the time he arrived, the stakes were high, and he needed to produce
something spectacular. His success is evident; the Batlló house
represents a creative tour de force. It is one of Gaudí's last private
commissions before he grew more reclusive and dedicated his energies to
the Sagrada Familia. |
| Address |
Visiting Hours: |
| Passeig de Gràcia, 43 |
Every day from 9h00 to 20h00 |
| 08007 Barcelona |
Audioguide included. |
| Tel: 93 216 03 06 |
PRICE OF VISIT: 16 Euro including
rooftop and attics. |
| Web: www.casabatllo.es |
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PHOTO
GALLERY - LA PEDRERA (CASA MILA) BY ANTONI GAUDI
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| "Casa Milà - La Pedrera"
(1906-1912). In the late 19th and early 20th century the
district of Eixample (Passeig de Gràcia and the surrounding areas)
became the hub of Barcelona's expansion. Antoni Gaudí was
commissioned by the industrialist, Pere Milà, to construct a building
on the boundary of Barcelona and Gràcia, as both a family residence
and also to be leased as separate dwellings. |
| Owing to the way its facade appears
to be carved out of rock, the Casa Milà was nicknamed "La Pedrera",
which means stone quarry. In 1984, UNESCO declared it a World Heritage
Site." It is interesting to note that there is an excellent view
of Sagrada Familia from the roof! |
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| Visiting Hours: |
| Monday to Sunday, from 10h00 to
20h00 (last admission at 19h30). |
| Closed: 25th and 26th December,
1st and 6th January, and one week in January (check out dates). |
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PHOTO
GALLERY - CATHEDRAL OF BARCELONA
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| The Cathedral of Barcelona has one
of the most beautiful Gothic cloisters in existence. Quadrangular
in shape, surrounded by chapels on three sides, some of which still have
the original XIV and XV century wrought iron grills. In the centre
of the cloister there is a small temple with a fountain and garden.
There is also a museum to visit. The area also includes some of the
original Roman walls in the city. |
| The Cathedral is currently undergoing
renovation work, so I have included a photo of the cathedral in all its
majesty, as well as the originals taken by me. The photo gallery
also includes street scenes around the Cathedral area. |
| A donation of 4 euro is payable
for your visit, which naturally goes towards the upkeep and renovation
of the Cathedral. |
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FUNDACIÓ
MIRÓ (THE MIRÓ FOUNDATION)
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| Miró's works are to be found
today in the world's principal museums and cultural institutions. Many,
however, have remained in Catalonia, mostly in the Joan Miró
Foundation in Barcelona. Here are a few of his sculptures - the
gallery is well worth visiting for the numerous pieces of art and sculpture
in the permanent collection, information about the artist, plus the exhibitions. |
| Unfortunately you are not allowed
to take photos of the paintings, so you will find a few of Miro's sculptures
in the slide show. |
| Address & Contact Information: |
Opening hours:
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| Fundació Joan Miró |
Tuesdays to Saturdays
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| Parc de Montjuïc, s/n |
10.00 - 19.00 (October-June)
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| 08038 Barcelona |
10.00 - 20.00 (July-September)
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| Tel. (34) 934.439.470 |
Thursdays 10.00 - 21.30
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| Fax. (34) 933.298.609 |
Sundays and public
holidays 10.00 - 14.30
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Mondays (except public
holidays) Closed
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GARDENS
AND PARKS IN BARCELONA
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| Despite being such a large and busy
city, Barcelona has many quiet and green corners for you to rest and recover
from your sight-seeing. Here is a small selection of what is available
including the famous Plaza Catalunya. |
| Plaza Catalunya (or Plaça
Catalunya as it is also known in Catalan) is an important centre in the
city - situated between L'Eixample and Las Ramblas, right down to the Port
of Barcelona. Conveniently placed for the tourist buses and taxis.
Visit the plaza in the evening to view the fountains. |
| SEE ALSO: Parque
Güell |
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LAS
RAMBLAS - BARCELONA
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| Las Ramblas - vibrant walking
area of Barcelona with its cafes, restaurants and shops. Stroll from
Plaza
Catalunya right down to the Port, enjoying the antics of the
street artistes and human statues on the way. |
| Visit Casa Battló
(Gaudí's masterpiece) and La Pedrera (Casa Milá) not
too far a walk away and the Gothic Quarter within easy walk/bus
trip. Stroll down to Barceloneta, Port Vell and the beach. |
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PALAU
DE LA MUSICA
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| Unfortunately
photos are not allowed inside the Palau de la Musica. I managed
to get one interior photo and a few outside photos on a rather cloudy day...
also including a couple of street scenes close by. |
| The Palau
de la Musica Catalana in Barcelona was confirmed a World Heritage Building
by UNESCO in December 1997. It is an active concert hall and offers
symphonic. chamber and choral concerts, recitals by instrumentalists and
singers, jazz, etc. Well worth a visit, the interior is exquisitely
decorated. View
website |
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PARQUE
GÜELL (GÜELL PARK)
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| Güell Park was originally
created with the concept of being a residential town. It is situated in
the upper part of Barcelona and, among other important innovations, it
represents the beginning of the use of multicoloured pieces of tiles as
a covering. A fascinating fairyland of Gaudí's creations. |
| In the park you can visit Casa
Museu Gaudí. Gaudí lived in the house from 1906
to 1925, one year before his death. The house was bought in 1963
by the "Association of Gaudí friends" and converted into "Casa Museu
Gaudí", an interesting museum displaying furniture, drawings,
decoration and others, designed by Gaudí himself and Josep María
Jujol. |
| Address: |
Museum Hours: |
| Parque Güell |
October - March 10h00 to 18h00 |
| carretera del Carmel, 08024, Barcelona |
April-September 10h00 to 20h00 |
| Tel: 93 219 38 11 |
Closed afternoons of December 25-26,
January 6 |
| Fax: 93 284 64 46 |
January 1 - closed all day. |
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POBLE
ESPAÑOL DE MONTJUIC - THE SPANISH VILLAGE
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| Well worth a visit - Poble Español
- situated at the foot of Mount Montjuic. Created in 1929 on the
occasion of the Barcelona International Exhibition, the Spanish Village
is the only initiative of its kind which has survived the test of time.
A collection of streets and squares, monuments and buildings, representing
the different peoples and cultures of Spain. Some might call it kitsch,
but it is an attractive and interesting place to visit, full of shops selling
the handicrafts of the various regions. There are restaurants and
cafes to enjoy a break and also an art gallery, Fundacio Fran Daurel. |
| One bad point - above the entrance
is a terrace cafe with incredible views (but alas, bad service and incredibly
high prices!) However, the views were worth it... |
| Address: |
Visiting Hours: |
| Marques de Comillas s/n |
Winter |
| 08038 Barcelona |
From Monday to Thursday: 9:00 -
20:00 |
| Tel: 935 086 300 |
Friday and Saturday: 9:00 - 04:00 |
| Fax: 935 086 333 |
Sunday: 9:00 - 24:00 |
| Poble Español can
also be visited online at: |
Spring, Summer and Autumn |
| http://www.poble-espanyol.com |
Monday: 9:00 - 20:00 |
| F |
From Tuesday to Thursday: 9:00 -
02:00 |
| F |
Friday and saturday: 9:00 - 04:00 |
| F |
Sunday : 9:00 -24:00 |
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MONUMENT
TO COLUMBUS (COLOM) AND BARCELONA PORT
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| Visit the Monument to Columbus
outside the port - built by Cayetano Buigas and opened in 1888. It
is possible to take an elevator to the top for the magnificent views (beware
if you are claustrophic like me as this is a very small space - a Spanish
lady who shared the elevator with me said that she would rather be in the
lift in El Corte Ingles (popular department store)!) Well worth the
ride though for the views. |
| The Port itself is an interesting
visit with cruise ships to view (Barcelona is one of the busiest cruise
ports in the Mediterranean), also ferries to the Balearics and local cruise
boats. There is also a heliport where you can take a helicopter tour
of Barcelona (see http://www.cathelicopters.com) |
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Read
an interesting article about Christopher Columbus
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TEMPLE
DE LA SAGRADA FAMILIA - BARCELONA
| Sagrada Familia - one of
the most enigmatic symbols of Barcelona's skyline. The unfinished
Temple of the Sacred Family. Construction was begun in 1882 by the
architects Martorell and De Villar. In 1891 Gaudi took over the project,
which is still incomplete, due to his death in 1926. Construction
continues and your donation on entry pays towards this work. |
| I did make a joke that its the first
time I've paid to visit a Spanish construction site, but really, the visit
was completely worthwhile and fascinating. The building, even in
its current state, is totally awe-inspiring. I am really looking
forward to seeing the completed temple. The following photos give
an idea of some aspects of the facade and interior. For more information
and the full history of this fascinating building, visit the following
website: |
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| You can become a friend of the Temple
by paying an annual fee towards the construction of the Temple, you will
then have unlimited free access to the building, plus other benefits, including
a discount at the gift shop. |
| Contact Information: |
| Address: Mallorca,
401, 08013, Barcelona |
| Telephone: 93 207 30
31 |
| Fax: 93 476 10 10 |
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Travel
Article: La Sagrada Familia - Past And Future by Mike McDougall
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