LAS RAMBLAS

Las Ramblas is crowded with hordes of tourists and locals, around the clock, participating in the spectacle that is Barcelona. Las Ramblas runs from the start of Plaça de Catalunya and ends to the south at Port Vell at the site of the statue of Christopher Columbus. The Boulevard runs through the center of Barcelona, with the neighborhoods of the Gothic Quarter and El Raval to either side.

Las Ramblas, Barcelona’s broad pedestrian boulevard, lined with leafy Plane trees, is a fun-filled expanse of colorful and wacky street performers and assorted characters, including musicians and vendors selling everything imaginable from flowers to caged birds. Live statue performers in elaborate costumes line the street entertaining the crowds who will only move after receiving a few coins. Street artists will draw your caricatures for a price that is always open to negotiation.

Las Ramblas is actually an area of five distinct sections, each offering its own special brand of entertainment. Rambla Canaletes features the famous Font de les Canaletes, a small 19th century fountain, where legend has it that those who drink from it will someday return to visit Barcelona. Rambla dels Estudis or dels Ocells, is the section that contains all the squawking and colorful birds for sale. Rambla de Sant Josep or de les Flors is the site of the fragrant flower market, as well as newspaper, book and magazine kiosks.

The popular Boqueria Market is not to be missed, with its fresh meats, cheeses, produce and delicious tapas bars, also located in the de les Flors section. Finally, Rambla dels Caputxins and Rambla de Santa Monica lead you to the seaport and the new harbor upgraded for the 1992 Olympics. Take your time strolling this colorful walkway that offers excellent people watching and a taste of what makes Barcelona truly unique.

ACCESS

Metro: Catalunya (Red Line, L1 / Green Line, L3) // Liceu (Green Line, L3) // Drassanes (Green Line, L3)

Read More

LA SAGRADA FAMILIA

HISTORY

La Sagrada Familia was originally conceived by the Catalan publisher Josep Bocabella as a work of expiation for the city's increasingly revolutionary ideas. Work began in 1882 by public subscription on a design by architect Francesc de Paula Villar, which proposed a simple church in a traditional neo-Gothic style.

After arguments between Bocabella and Villar, Antoni Gaudí took over as lead architect in 1884. Gaudí immediately changed the project completely, seizing the opportunity to express his strong religious and nationalist feelings.

After finishing the Parc Güell in 1911, Gaudí vowed to abandon secular art and devote himself entirely to the Sagrada Familia. He worked on it tirelessly for over 40 years, living as a virtual hermit in a workshop on the site. When questioned about the slow pace, he is said to have replied, "My client is not in a hurry."

Nevertheless, it remained unfinished at Gaudí's untimely death in 1926, when the artist was run over by a tram on the Gran Via. He died in hospital two days later and was mourned by all of Catalonia. He is buried in the crypt of the Sagrada Familia.
Work on the project continued after Gaudí's death under the direction of Domènech Sugranyes but was interrupted by the outbreak of the Spanish Civil War in 1935. The building remained intact during the war, but in 1936 many of its models and plans were destroyed by Catalan anarchists, who saw the church as a symbol of the old, conservative religion that had no place in the new Barcelona.
Construction began again in the late 1950s and has continued ever since. The current design is based on a combination of reconstructed versions of the lost plans and modern adaptations. Vaults over the side aisles were added in 1995 and the roof over the nave was finished in early 2001.

The current director, Jordi Bonet i Armengol, began using computers for the design and construction process in the 1980s, which has sped up the complicated process considerably. Still, the final stage of the grand Sagrada Familia is not progressing much faster than it did under Gaudi. Estimated completion dates range from 2017 to 2026, the 100th anniversary of Gaudi's death.

DESCRIPTION

The Towers

Eight of the intended 18 towers have been built, which rise to over 100 meters. The towers represent the Twelve Apostles and each one bears the name and statue of its apostle.
Gaudi also intended to add a 180-meter tower in the center, topped with a great cross representing Jesus. This will be surrounded by four shorter towers representing the Four Evangelists, topped with their animal symbols. A still shorter tower will represent the Virgin Mary. The height of the tallest tower is to be one meter less than the nearby hill, Montjuic, as Gaudi believed his work should not surpass that of God.
The pinnacles of the towers are decorated with colorful mosaics and some are embedded with the words "Excelsis" and "Hosanna".

The Facades

The basilica has three facades, which are also filled with precise symbolism: the Passion Facade on the west; the Nativity Facade on the east; and the Glory Facade on the south. Each facade has three portals representing the virtues of Faith, Hope and Love.

The Passion Facade on the west side, dedicated to the suffering and death of Christ, is nearly complete. It is decorated with striking, angular sculptures by Josep Maria Subirach (begun 1952). Not everyone is a fan: art critic Robert Hughes declared it to be "the most blatant mass of half-digested moderniste cliches to be plunked on a notable building within living memory." Its great doors, which serve as the main entrance, are printed with words from the Bible in various languages including Catalan; the word JESUS and select others are painted to stand out.
The Nativity Facade on the east side, dedicated to the birth of Christ, was completed before work was interrupted in 1935 and bears the most direct Gaudi influence. The birth of Christ is depicted in the center, with the Adoration of the Magi on the left and the Adoration of the Shepherds on the right. Above is the Annunciation and Coronation of the Virgin Mary.
High on the Nativity Facade us a spire with a cypress tree, symbolizing the tree of life. At the foot of the tree is a pelican and angels holding chalices, symbols of the Eucharist. At the top of the tree is a red Tau cross with an 'X' representing Christ's name and a dove representing the Holy Spirit.
The bases of the facade contain sculptures of turtles, symbolizing the stability of the cosmos. The one closer to the sea is a sea turtle; the one closer to the mountains is a land tortoise. Gaudi was a true nature lover and spent much time studying it in the countryside.

INTERIOR

Inside the Sagrada Familia, areas will be dedicated to religious concepts such as saints, virtues and sins, and secular concepts such as the regions of Spain.
You can take elevators to the top of the inside of the Nativity Facade and Passion Facade, or climb 400 steps. Once at the top, you can climb around the walls and into other towers and enjoy partial views of Barcelona through a jumble of latticed stonework, ceramic decoration, carved buttresses and a variety of sculpture.
The price of admission includes entrance to the crypt, where Gaudi is buried. The crypt includes a small museum on the career of Gaudi and the history of the Sagrada Familia.

 ACCESS

Metro: Sagrada Familia (Blue Line, L5) and (Purple Line, L2).

PRICES 2012

Individual/General: 13€
Children < 10 years old: Free
Guided / Audioguided Visit: 17€

Read More

CAMP NOU STADIUM

Camp Nou is the largest football stadium in Europe and home to FC Barcelona. It has a capacity of 99,354 seats. Camp Nou was built between 1954 and 1957, and officially opened on the 24^th of September 1957. The first match was played between FC Barcelona and a selection of players from the city of Warsaw.

The stadium replaced Barcelona’s previous ground Campo de Les Corts which, though it could hold 60,000 supporters, was still too small for the growing number of fans. With the Camp Nou the number of fans that could attend a match was increased by half.
The stadium was initially called Estadi del FC Barcelona, but was soon referred to as Camp Nou (New Stadium) by its fans. In 2001, after a referendum among its members, the club officially changed the name of the stadium to Camp Nou.

During the Euro 1964 Championships the stadium hosted the semi-final between the Soviet Union and Denmark (3-0), and the match for third place between Hungary and the same Denmark (3-1)
For the 1982 World Cup the stadium was expanded to a capacity of 120,000. At the World Cup the stadium hosted the opening match, three matches in the second group phase, and the semi-final between Italy and Poland (2-0). The capacity was reduced again in the late 1990s due to the conversion of the stadium into an all-seater.

In its history Camp Nou has hosted two Champions League finals: the first in 1989 between AC Milan and Steaua București (4-0) and the second in 1999 between Manchester United and FC Bayern (2-1).
Earlier the stadium had already hosted two Cup Winners’ Cup finals: the first in 1972 between Rangers FC and Dynamo Moscow (3-2) and the second in 1980 between Barcelona and Standard de Liège (2-1).

OPENING TIMES AND PRICES

Museum

Monday to Saturday: 10am to 8pm
Sunday: 10am to 2.30pm

Tours

Monday to Saturday: 10 am to 7pm
Sunday: 10am to 1.30pm

Museum + Tour: 22€

ACCESS

Metro: Palau Reial (Green Line, L3) (+ 5 minutes walk)

Read More

PARK GÜELL

Park Güell was commissioned by Eusebi Güell who wanted to create a stylish park for Barcelona aristocracy. The park contains amazing stone structures, stunning tiling and fascinating buildings. You can see from this picture the Gaudí dragon fountain that is at the entrance to Güell park. This dragon is adorned in beautiful coloured tiling and there is something rather hypnotic and magical about it.

The park contains amazing stone structures, stunning tiling and fascinating buildings. You can see from this picture the Gaudí dragon fountain that is at the entrance to Güell park. This dragon is adorned in beautiful coloured tiling and there is something rather hypnotic and magical about it.
You can find a walkway supported by twisting rock pillars that seem to be growing out of the ground like tree trunks. Although these are rather irregular in shape they do feel strangely natural too.

Gaudí was strongly influenced by natural shapes and used them in his work.
At the top of Güell park is a terraced area where you get a wonderful view of the park and of Barcelona City. Here you will find multi-coloured tiled mosaic seats. The vibrant colours of the tiles are truly breathtaking.

Park Güell also has a small house in the park which Gaudí lived in at one stage. The house has now been converted into a museum and contains interesting furniture also designed by Gaudí.

OPENING TIMES

Every day: 10 am to 9 pm (aprox.)

PRICES

Free entrance

ACCESS

Metro: Lesseps (Green Line, L3) (+ ten minutes walk)

Read More

BEACHES OF BARCELONA

Since the massive clean-up operation of the beach and nearby Olympic marina and village undertaken for the 1992 Olympics, this area has become a magnet for Barcelonans and visitors alike. A lot of effort goes into maintaining the cleanliness of both sand and sea, which is tested daily, and all beaches have disabled access, lifeguards (in season), sun beds and showers.

Nova Icària

Closest to the Olympic marina, and therefore always crowded, this wide swathe of rough golden sand is great for food goers. There are three spotless beach bars, two immensely popular restaurants on the promenade behind and countless bars and restaurants off the Port Olímpic just a short stroll away.

Access:

Metro: Ciutadella-Villa Olímpica (Yellow Line, L4) (plus 10-minute walk)

Sant Sebastià

It is the favourite of the locals, especially among the older age group. The sandy expanse of 1,100 metres offers a variety of leisure options, as well as a host of sea-based activities. The beach is also very popular with foreign visitors.

Access:

Metro: Barceloneta (Yellow Line, L4) (plus 10-minute walk)

 

Barceloneta

Very wide and long beach. Somewhere along its length, the beach becomes San Sebastian, a traditional and popular stretch with locals and consequently crowded, noisy and very jolly.

Access:

Metro: Barceloneta (Yellow Line, L4) (plus 10-minute walk)

 

Bogatell

This beach is twice the length of adjoining Nova Icaria and fringed by a stretch of stone walkway perfect for jogging, roller blading and cycling. The raised promenade cuts down on traffic noise and makes it possible to almost believe you're a million miles from the city. No beach bars, but three large informal restaurants on the promenade.

Access:

Metro: Ciutadella-Villa Olimpica / Bogatell (Yellow Line, L4) (plus 10-minute walk)

Mar Bella

Divided from Bogatell by a breakwater housing a school and hire center for windsurfing, hobie cats and kayaks, Barcelona's only naturist beach is tucked away behind a long hillock of rustling bamboo. Nearby is a peaceful park - good for a picnic or siesta under the trees.

Access:

Metro: Llacuna (Yellow Line, L4) (plus 10-minute walk)

 

Read More