Unique attractions that you
should visit in Barcelona, Spain
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Barcelona is rightfully famous
for many things, including the wonderful architecture designed by Antoni
Gaudí, such as the Sagrada Familia, Casa Battlo, Casa Mila and Parque
Guell. The city is a popular tourist destination and those who have seen
the major attractions might be interested to visit some of the less-known
unique, often strange attractions of the city. The following are three
of them - a little more off the beaten track and so worth seeing..
1. Labyrinth Park of Horta -
Passeig dels Castanyers, 1, Barcelona
This semi-secret maze is hidden
in the Parc
del Laberint d’Horta, or Labyrinth Park of Horta, in the heart of the
city of Barcelona. Work on the labyrinth or maze started in 1791 on what
was then the estate of the wealthy Desvalls family. Due to this fact, the
park is the oldest of Barcelona’s many green spaces.
The maze consists of beautifully
manicured hedges with more than 2,000 ft of passageways for visitors to
get lost in. Anyone who solves the puzzle and reaches the centre is treated
to a statue of Eros, the Greek God of Love, implying that romance was involved
in creating the garden. This isn’t all, however, as surrounding the labyrinth
are Italianate terraces and pavilions sporting other statues of Greek Gods.
At the end of the park is a picturesque pond.
The beautiful gardens were
handed over to the city of Barcelona during the 1960s and it is now a public
park. As it is off the major tourist track, it is a perfect, secret place
to explore and spend some valuable time. There is an entrance fee, which
goes towards maintaining the park, but if you visit on Sundays or Wednesdays,
you can enter free of charge. There is, however, a limit of only 750 visitors
each day.
2. Casa Vicens - Carrer de les
Carolines, 20, Barcelona
While you may have already seen
some of the architectural wonders of Antoni Gaudí, you may have
missed Casa Vicens. The incredible house was the first designed by the
architect in Barcelona. Casa Vicens is also considered to be among the
first Art Nouveau buildings ever built.
While you are no doubt planning
to stay in one of the many excellent hotels
available in Barcelona during your visit, you can just imagine what
it would be like to spend the night in this magically beautiful home.
Seven properties built by
Gaudí in Barcelona have been recognized as UNESCO World Heritage
Sites, including Casa Vicens. The remarkable exterior is part of the beauty,
but inside the first two floors are tiled with a beautiful French marigold
design.
Now a museum, the furnishings
in the house were also made by the Modernist designer and architect and
there are 32 paintings adorning the walls by Spanish painter Francesc Torrescassana
i Sallarés. The interior design features a number of styles, reflecting
Gaudí’s genius,including oriental and neoclassical architecture.
On the domed rooftop, visitors can enjoy a view of the beautiful neighbourhood
surrounding the building.
3. Festes de Gràcia,
Barcelona - Plaza del Sol, Barcelona
This next item is not really
a place, as such, but more of a magnificent party held in Barcelona. The
Festes
de Gràcia is held each year from August 15 (Feast of the Assumption)
through August 21 in the Gràcia neighborhood of the city and is
one of the more important events in Barcelona.
There is a major element of
competition in the way each street is decorated and often recycled materials
are used in a different theme for each. The streets explode with colour
and beauty and papier-mâché sculptures adorn the area. Each
day of the festival features a lot of drinking, eating and dancing and
visitors will often see the famous castellers, or human castles, an exciting
fire run and plenty of children’s activities on the go.
Enjoy seeing more of this
fascinating city on your next trip to fabulous Barcelona! The city has
enough attractions to keep you coming back, year after year.
Travel
Guide
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