Barcelona, the second largest city in Spain has ancient roots that are evident still today. Originally a Roman city, many Roman ruins are open as tourist attractions highlighting the city's rich heritage. Due to the size of Barcelona, I found it necessary to employ the metro system in order to get around from one area of interest to the next. Once you are in the area you desire, it is easy to travel by foot, however.
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| One of the artists along La Rambla |
La Rambla, the city's main congestive area is a cacophony of sights and sounds. Down the middle of this busy tree-lined street, a pedestrian median is filled with vendors where one could acquire anything from a live chicken, to fresh cut flowers, or a live portrait! This market-like venue is hugged by modern shops and cafes lining the parallel streets where one could purchase weekly groceries, or the newest pair of Nike running shoes! La Rambla runs south all the way down to the pier at Placa del Portal de la Pau where a monument of Christopher Columbus was erected in 1881(for a fee, one can climb the monument to enjoy panoramic views of Barcelona and the Mediterranean Sea). As lovely as it is however, it's also one of the main targeted areas of pickpockets, so ladies, hold onto your purses (or don't carry one at all), and gents, shift your wallet to your front pocket!!
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| La Boqueria |
Tucked off to the side between the shops on La Rambla is a gem - the Mercat san Joseph or as the locals call it La Boqueria. At the market, it's worth using your patience to brave the crowds in order to purchase fresh food ranging from candy to fish (the claustrophobic atmosphere is testament to its popularity). Note- in the market, it is not permitted that the customers touch anything, you must tell your order to the vendor (don't find out the hard way - it's not fun being yelled at in Spanish!). Also found off of La Rambla is the Placa Reial - a beautiful, popular square filled with palm trees, a fountain, and surrounded on the perimeter by a large number of restaurants, bars and nightclubs.
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| Placa Reial |
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| Part of the Roman Walls of Placa del Rei |
Barcelona's architecture varies from ancient, Medieval, ornate, to even playful! One of the most popular sites of interest from ancient Barcelona is found in the Gothic section of the city (this was definetely my favourite neighbourhood to roam around in). The Placa del Rei is a medieval square, rumoured to have been the location where Columbus was received following his return from discovering the Americas! The square is flanked by gothic buildings including a section of the former Royal Palace, Torre Mirador del Rei Martà (the King's watchtower from the 16th century), as well as the 14th century Chapel of Santa Agatha. Due to its Roman roots, Barcelona has a great number of Roman architectural interests. Hidden beneath the Placa del Rei is the subterranean Museu d'Historia de la Ciutat (the ruins of ancient Barcelona when it was still a Roman city, containing the remnants of residences, a chapel, winemaking and fabric dying facilities). Navigating around the narrow, winding medieval streets in the vicinity of the Placa del Rei is delightful and other worldly. Here you will find many delectable delights in the form of restaurants, bakeries, wine shops, etc. It was difficult not to indulge in the sweets offered by the bakeries with their scents wafting through the open doorways.
Barcelona's many cathedrals are examples of the ornate and gothic architecture that were a popular aspect of the city's past. Popular examples include the gothic La Catedral (found in the old section of town), and Santa Maria Del Mar (built in the 14th century and made popular by its mention in the book "The Cathedral of the Sea"). The oldest church in the city, Sant Pau de del Camp is an architectural marvel given that a building of its age (it dates from the 9th century), is still standing as one of the most well preserved Roman buildings of the city!
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| Facade of Casa Batllo |
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| The rooftop of Casa Batllo |
One of Spain (and definitely Barcelona's), most famous architects Antoni Gaudi is renowned for his playful architectural delights. Some of the locations Gaudi has brought to notoriety are the Casa Batllo (a fun-house like residential property commissioned in the early 1900's), Casa Calvet (formerly a commercial textile property and residence), and the outdoor Parc Guell (where lunches are eaten atop whimsical mosaic creations). Barcelona's most famous cathedral Sagrada Familia, was one of Antoni Gaudi's unfinished creations, and also his resting place. Prior to his death, he had only completed the Nativity facade, one tower, the apse and the crypt. Due to the nature of his design strategies, architects do not know what he intended the completed cathedral to look like, so all construction that has taken place since Gaudi's death have been speculations.
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| The Funicular to the top of Montjuic |
A trip to the top of Montjuic (Barcelona's flat topped hill overlooking the harbour), should be on your list of things to do! It is host to a variety of attractions including the Museu Nacional d'Art de Catalunya (which is held inside the Palau Nacional, built for the 1929 World's Fair) highlighted with majestic fountains, Poble Espanyol (a Spanish village built for the 1929 World's Fair as an example of Spanish architecture), remnants of the Olympics (the pool, tower, and stadium), a funicular and at the summit, the fortress Castell de Montjuic. The top of the hill provides an excellent vantage point with panoramic views of the city and sea below.
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| Castell de Montjuic |
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| Barceloneta Beach |
Last but not least, due to its location on the Mediterranean Sea, tourists of Barcelona are offered some solace from the hustle and bustle of the city, by a trip (by foot or metro), down to the beach. Barceloneta offers a clean, public beach, that is bespectacled with installations of art along its long stretching promenade. Here you can see palm trees swaying in the wind, enjoy a meal at one of the many bars or restaurants, have a swim in the Mediterranean Sea, watch the windsurfers, or just relax and catch some rays!
