|
|
The
Cathedral
 The
construction of the Barcelona Cathedral began in 1298
and is one of the city’s major landmarks. The Gothic
Cathedral rises up impressively from main plaza surrounded
by narrow streets. To get a really good view of this huge
feat of architectural genius, you’ll need to stand
right back at the end of the Plaza to drink it all in.
The interior is equally as stunning, with two aisles lined
by soaring Gothic pillars. There is an upper gallery and
two octagonal bell towers. The peaceful atmosphere inside
the cathedral is really quite awe-inspiring and definitely
worth a look-in.
The Rambla
Extending from the harbour to the Plaza de Catalunya,
the Ramblas is not only Barcelona’s most famous
street – it is the most famous street in all of
Spain. It’s probably the liveliest too. Split into
five distinct sections, this wide pedestrian thoroughfare
is lined with restaurants, cafes, shops, stalls, open
air markets. Buskers add some musical accompaniment to
the whole experience whilst artists wander around selling
their wares. The Ramblas really is the place to be in
Barcelona, especially after dark when the nightlife really
kicks off. Not to be missed.
The
Picasso Museum
Opened in 1963, Barcelona’s Museu Picasso has become
the city’s most frequented  museum.
It boasts over 3,000 paintings and drawings that illustrate
- like no other museum can - how Picasso developed from
a young boy into the modern master he became. Set in three
of the stunning medieval stone mansions on Carrer de Montecada
with a large a large courtyard behind them, it is the
perfect venue to show off works of art. There is also
plenty of other art on show, together with temporary exhibitions
on themes related to the man himself plus other twentieth-century
artists. Open from Tuesday to Saturday, from 10am-8pm
and on Sundays from 10am-3pm, the Picasso museum costs
a mere 600ptas for entry and is a must see for the modern
art lover.
Montjuic
The hill of Montjuic stands to the left of Old Barcelona.
Montjuic is crammed with five museums, an amusement park,
sports and exhibition complexes including the "Spanish
Village", the Olympic arena and other entertainment
venues. Dominated by the impressive 18th century Castell
de Montjuic, the views you also get from the hill are
definitely worth the climb. The museums include the Fundació
Joan Miró, the Museu National d'Art de Catalunya
with stunning Gothic and Romanesque sections, the Palau
Nacional and the Poble Espanyol (the Spanish Village)
where real Spanish artwork changes hand at mind-blowing
prices. Whether you’re looking for culture, fun
or simply to use up some energy – Montjuic caters
for all.
Gaudi’s
Sagrada Familia (Sacred Family) Church
A trip to Barcelona would be incomplete without visiting
Antoni Gaudi’s stunning though unfinished Cathedral
- Expiatori de la Sagrada Família. The city is
full of his spectacular modern designs and the cathedral
is the cherry on the cake. With eight spires soaring to
a height of 100m, and a spectacular main façade,
it is a true architectural masterpiece. Take the lift
up one of the towers for some breathtaking views of the
city. There is also the Gaudi Museum inside the temple
which illustrates the fascinating life of Gaudi himself.
With Gaudi’s dislike of straight lines, the building
is an interesting if slightly odd shape, which is a marvel
to see on a trip to Barcelona.
|
|
|
|
