|
|
In Gaudi's footsteps - Barcelona
|
|
|
If there's a reason to visit Spain, it's Barcelona. The city is
energetic and full of ideas.
 That
is evident as you walk Barcelona's main boulevard, La Rambla. Thirty
metres wide it is lined with trees and enlivened by visitors from
all corners of the globe. Summer is the height of tourist season. Of
the 53 million foreign tourists arriving in Spain annually, it is a
sure bet they will walk this street.
Heart-warming bouquets of flower and birds in cages are sold along
the walkways. People doing mimes and surreal figures draw the
attention of passers-by who stop by for a snapshot.
Grocers would never want to leave La Boqueria, a fresh market which
packs cherries, strawberries, oranges, peaches, apricots and others
fruits. Goodies, meat, sausages and seafood are neatly displayed in
the stalls.
click here for hotels in the Ramblas Area
Barcelona is part of Spain's Catalonia's region and its residents
speak Catalan. The signs are also in Catalan which were confusing to
a first-time visitor like myself. In its Gothic Quarter is located
the Palau de la Generalitat, the government secretariat, and next to
it The Cathedral and other historic buildings and landmarks.
Barcelona is the hometown of Picasso. There are several places
dedicated to Picasso: the Picasso Museum and La Llotja where the
painter studied. There is also the Els Quatre Gats bar where Picasso
spent time sharing ideas with other painters and intellectuals. This
was also the place where he first exhibited his works in Barcelona
and later at the Sala Pares art gallery in Carrer de Petritxol.
 Morning
Barcelona Classical City Tour
Experience the exuberance and beauty of the beautiful port city
of Barcelona. Visit the imposing gothic cathedral and other
elaborate flights of architectural fancy that dot the city.
You'll also see the athlete's village from the Barcelona
Olympics, travel to the Montjuich Mountain and sample the famous
Catalan wine. |
Along the Passeig de Gracia (Gracia Boulevard) stand numerous
buildings of eclectic, medievalist and modernist designs. Many of
them were designed by Antoni Gaudi. One of them is the Loewe
Boutique which has minarets, and the other called Casa Batllo, one
of L'Eixample's most charismatic buildings redone between 1905-1907
by Gaudi with the help of Joseph M. Jujol. The original was built in
1877 but Gaudi completely renovated the facade and redesigned the
interior. The Casa Catalunya was also designed by him.
The Guell Park in Gracia is a World Heritage site and one of Gaudi's
best known works, a good spot to learn about his architectural
ingenuity. It has a good viewing point from where you can see
Barcelona and the azure strip of the Mediterranean Sea.
click here for hotels in the Guell Park Area
In 1883 Gaudi embarked on the La Sagrada Familia project or the
Holy Family Church and worked on it until his death. Initially, it
envisaged the building of a small church on which work had already
begun the year before, but by the time Gaudi took helm he expanded
its size, opting to build three facades each with three portals. One
of them, the Facade of Nativity, has portals of faith, love and
hope. Again, the natural elements are in full view: columns imitate
palm and cypress trees.
Eight spires have been completed so far with ten more to come. Four
of them were built before Gaudi's death. They rise more than 100
metres, the tallest 170 metres representing Jesus Christ and the
others Virgin Mary, the four evangelists and 12 apostles of
Christianity.
The church is still quite some way from completion but it is still
an architectural breakthrough and a testament to Gaudi's genius. It
is expected to take another 25 years to complete the monument.
click here for hotels near the Sagrada Familia
|
 Barcelona
Princess Hotel 
Centrally located, the Barcelona Princess Hotel is situated near the beach
and next to the new International Centre of Conventions. The hotel boasts
364 guest rooms with an ultra-modern design and warm colour that provide the
sensation of silence and internal peace. You can enjoy the panoramic view
from the large window in your bedroom.
Click here for more recommended hotels, apartments &
last minute accommodation in Barcelona |
|
|
|
|
Tour of the Month |
Athens Sightseeing
See the best places in Athens! Spend your morning visiting famous places
such as the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, the Royal Palace, Panathenian
Stadium, The Temple of Olympian Zeus, The Acropolis, Thesseum Greek Orthodox
Cathedral and much, much more! |
|
