BARCELONA: A CITY OR A DREAM?

Are you tired? Do you need a quick holiday? Well, Barcelona is perfect for you! I visited this city last summer and I think it’s one of the best cities in the world.

Here is a list of unmissable places you must visit once there!

SAGRADA FAMILIA 

It’s a large Roman Catholic Church in Barcelona,designed by Antoni Gaudì (1852-1926). Although incomplete,the church is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and in November 2010 it was consacrated and proclaimed a minor basilica by Pope Benedict XVI. The project combines Gothic and curvilinear Art Nouveau forms. It’s a unique wonder! 

PARK GUELL

It’s a garden complex with architectural elements situated on the hill of El Carmel. It was designed by the Catalan architect Antoni Gaudì, the same artist who designed the Sagrada Familia, and built in the years 1900 to 1914. It has an extension of 17.18 ha, which makes it one of the largest architectural works in southern Europe. The park was originally part of a commercially unsuccessful housing site, the idea of Count Eusebi Guell, after whom the park was named. It was inspired by the English garden city movement. 

BARCELONETA

La Barceloneta is a roughly triangular shaped neighborhood in the Ciutat Vella district. It was constructed during the 18th century for the residents of the Ribera neighborhood who had been displaced by the construction of the Ciutadella of Barcelona. It’s known for its sandy beach and its many restaurants and nightclubs along the walk. 

PALAU DE LA MUSICA 

It was built between 1905 and 1908 by the architect Lluìs Domènech i Montaner as a home for the Orfeò Català, financed by popular subscription. The Palau de la Mùsica Catalana is an architectural jewel of Catalan Art Nouveau ,the only concert venue in this style to be listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO (1997), which today represents an essential landmark in the cultural and social life of Catalonia.

LICEU OPERA

 

The Liceu Opera Barcelona, locally known as Gran Teatre del Liceu or simply the Liceu, was founded on Barcelona’s Rambla in 1847. It is the largest horseshoe-shaped opera theatre in Europe and the second largest in the world. With its uninterrupted activity over more than 160 years, the Liceu has been a privileged spectator of some of the most crucial events of the 19th and 20th century, becoming a cultural and social benchmark.

MONTJUIC 

Montjuic, translated from medieval Catalan as ‘Mountain of the Jews’ is a hill to the southwest of the city centre. The Castle of Montjuic on the top of the hill (17th century) offers great views of the harbor. Palau Nacional built during 1929 World’s Fair, holds the National Art Museum of Catalunya. You can admire the Magic Fountain on its staircase.

L’AQUÀRIUM 

Visitors can discover the most representative species of the Mediterranean, such as the Mediterranean moray, eel, seahorse, red star-fish, common octopus.... Additionally visitors can see the majestic sharks of the Oceanarium from its large glass tunnel which is unique in Europe!

HORTHA LABYRINTH

It’s a garden-museum, the oldest in Barcelona. It holds a vegetal labyrinth, which gives the name to the park,an 18th century neoclassical garden and a 19th century romantic garden. The big challenge is to get out of the labyrinth that consists of 750 meters of cypress cut! Good luck!

These are,in my opinion, the most beautiful places you can’t miss if you are in Barcelona.

More about Barcelona in a second post coming soon!

Stay tuned!!

 

ROSITA