Barcelona: Second City of Spain

The City's Art and Architecture Will Charm the Visitor.

Aug 31, 2008 José Luis Rodríguez-Olveira

The second biggest city of Spain is one of the most attractive places on Earth. Great painters and architects were born here and you can see their work everywhere you go.

Fiercely nationalistic, proud of its roots and history, facing the future with optimism, Barcelona is a city in constant growth and development that considers tourism as one of its best industries. Everything here is prepared in a way that everyone from around the world could enjoy, understand and treasure.

Las Ramblas

The most emblematic of all Barcelona boulevards, “Las Ramblas” is a place to visit on foot. Its 1.2km is full of shops, restaurants, hotels, museums, theatres and street performances that will make the time pass by very quietly. A must-see is the “La Boquería” market, a wonderful exhibition of food.

Plaça de Catalunya

This is the square where the Old and New town meet. It is considered to be the centre of the city and some of the most important avenues and streets meet here. The square is also famous for its fountains and statues.

Antoni Gaudí

Gaudí is one of the most famous architects in Spain. His works can be seen all over Barcelona. The houses he built are still a monument to his genius and originality: Casa Vicens, Palau Güell, Colegio Teresiano, Casa Calvet, Bellesguard, Casa Batllo and Casa Milla, all of them deserve a visit.

Sagrada Familia

Gaudí was a religious man that devoted some of his work to the design of churches. The most important one is the “Sagrada Familia” which was not finished when he died after being run over by a car. Eventually the Catalonian authorities decided it was time to finish it and it is under construction although it can be visited.

Parc Güell

It was originally thought of as a building development promoted by Count Güell and designed by Gaudí although it was not successful as such and remained as a public park of extreme beauty.

Poble Espanyol (Spanish Village)

It was built in 1929 for the International Exhibition in Barcelona on the Montjuic hill and it was designed to show a sample of Spanish architecture. Nowadays it is full of restaurants and shops where the tourist can buy Spanish craft and art at its best. The whole complex is very beautiful showing the different housing styles that abound in Spain.

Santa María del Mar

In the centre of the Barri Gòtic is the impressive gothic cathedral of Barcelona but visitors are moved by the imposing beauty and history of the church Santa María del Mar. It was built between 1329 and 1383. The interior is spacious and very light.

Salvador Dalí Museum

Dalí is without doubt one of the best Spanish artists of all times. He still influences painters and sculptors today. His museum is in his house in Figueres (about 1 ½ hours by car from Barcelona). A visit will help the tourist to understand the genius of this artist.

Besalú

The medieval town of Besalú (about 2 hours from Barcelona) is a living museum. In 1966 it was designated as a historical national property due to its architectural and historical value. Many shops in town offer the crafts of locals at reasonable prices.

Barri Gòtic

The old quarter of Barcelona is a place where history and modernity mix in a clever way. Tapas bars are among the oldest buildings of the city and the Romanesque and Gothic churches. It is a beautiful place to take a rest from the modern and bustling Barcelona.

References:

-Tourist Brochures from Barcelona

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