Barcelona

Following the 1992 Olympic Games that were staged there, Barcelona is now not only a historic city but also a popular beach resort. For it is claimed that the ‘heady allure of the Mediterranean Sea’ now permeates the city, and tourists flock to the recently developed ‘Barcelona Beach’.



Prior to the 1992 Olympics, Barcelona’s beaches were virtually ‘non existent’ – in the tourist sense – for the shore lay adjacent to an industrial wasteland and was considered ‘insalubrious’. But with Barcelona having been selected for the 1992 Olympics, a total geographical transformation was implemented along the previously unfrequented coastline. Sand was transported to the shore in huge quantities, and miles of golden beaches were created, which extended from the fishermen’s quarters of Barcelona to Port Olympic – and even beyond.

Rows of palm trees too were planted, and the sea was subjected to stringent ‘water cleanliness’. In addition, the five star luxury skyscraper hotel, namely ‘Hotel Arts’, became a focal landmark, being situated a mere ‘few step’ from the sea, having a first floor outdoor pool, excellent eating places and stunning sea views. Likewise, it is claimed that the nearby Port Olympic now ‘throbs with the highest concentration of bars and clubs in the city’. Barcelona Beach has but one shortcoming, and that’s its popularity, for such is its allure that it has become a ‘sunbather’s paradise’ and people flock there en masse – particularly at the height of the summer season. But with a sandy stretch of shore that extends for more than two miles, even at the height of the summer season, there is always a ‘sunbathing space’…….

By staying in Barcelona one is able to combine a ‘sea, sand and sun vacation’ with a city sightseeing holiday. For Barcelona represents a metropolis of fascinating venues. Described as ‘a glittering jewel in the Mediterranean’ Barcelona is claimed to ‘have it all’ – lively beaches, medieval streets, beautiful buildings, a historic cathedral, churches and monasteries, architectural wonders, parks, museums, performing arts and music venues, art galleries, and a host of hotels, shops, fascinating markets, restaurants and night haunts. And described as Barcelona’s topmost ‘highlight’ – in every sense of the word – is the spectacularly stunning Church of Sagrada Familia, considered to be an enduring symbol of the city, with its spires seemingly ‘piercing’ the skyline.

The church’s structure was devised by Antoni Gaudi, who died in 1926 at a time when the building was only partially completed. And in the course of the ensuing years sculptors and architects have made their contribution towards the final creation of the church – allegedly at an ‘incalculable cost’. But now the building is being financed by the contributions of the million of yearly visitors who enter the church, and it is hoped that the mammoth project will have been finally completed by the year 2030.

It is even being claimed that Sagrada Familia will one day qualify to be ‘the eighth wonder of the world’! Regarded as Barcelona’s most famous architect, Antoni Gaudi was also responsible for the creation of another dominant city building, known as ‘La Pedrera’ (the Slate Quarry), an undulating apartment block with a spectacular façade and balconies which are described as having ‘curved walls that are held in place by undulating horizontal beams attached to invisible girders’.

And the startlingly stunning rooftop has chimneys that have been designed to ‘resemble medieval warriors and huge ventilator ducts twisted into bizarre organic forms’. The building La Pedrera now also has a museum which is dedicated to Barcelona’s celebrated architect Antoni Guadi. Barcelona Cathedral, likewise, is another notable edifice that dominates the city’s skyline. Described as an ‘amalgam of architectural styles’, while primarily Gothic, it has Baroque chapels and a Romanesque basilica, and its origins date back to the year 1298.

With it twin towers, stained glass windows and a hundred carved angels, it presents an elaborate image, and dominates its immediate vicinity – soaring to a height of 230 feet. Many museums can be located in Barcelona. In particular the ‘Museu Nacional d’Art de Catalunya’, which is based in Palau Nacional, is claimed to have ‘one of the most important medieval art collections in the world’.

And the ‘Museu d’Art Contemporani & Centre de Cultura Contemporania’ is a source of great interest in the city, featuring as it does the work of both Spanish and international contemporary artists. Popular among tourists too is ‘The Fundacio Joan Miro’ which features the work of Joan Miro himself and includes 11,000 examples of the artist’s work, who has been described as ‘one of the world’s most challenging and thought-provoking masters in the 1960s’.

And, inevitably, one venue that would represent a ‘must see’ museum for anyone visiting Barcelona would be the ‘Museu Picasso’. Described as the ‘20th century’s most acclaimed artist’ Picasso’s work has always been a source of interest. And this particular museum is said to contain the ‘world’s largest collection of the artist’s early work’. Picasso, it is claimed, began painting at the age of 10, and one of the exhibits on display at this museum is a painting that he did at the age of 14. Performing Arts and Music Venues abound in Barcelona, but one particular ‘concert hall’ that is a ‘must-see sight’ is the Palau de la Musica Catalana – The Palace of Catalan Music.

Described as ‘one of the finest and most exemplary ‘Modernista’ buildings in Barcelona’, the concert hall, as its name implies, is in effect ‘a palace’. Even its exterior is spectacular – with its mosaic pillars and ringed arches. And the beauty of its interior almost defies description. The concert hall itself, whose height is equal to its breadth, is described as a ‘celebration of natural light and forms, climaxing in a stained-glass golden orb skylight that showers the hall with sunlight’.

While Barcelona might be a haven of spectacular buildings, its outdoor environments are equally alluring. A favourite pedestrian thoroughfare is ‘La Rambla’ which cuts across the ‘old town’ and extends all the way to the sea front. A stroll along ‘La Rambla’ takes one pat many interesting sights, including the city’s ‘grand opera house’, known as ‘Gran Theatre del Lieu’. One also comes to a 262 ft. high column on which a statue of Christopher Columbus stands. An elevator can take one right up to the top of this column – from where the views are claimed to be ‘sensational’.

A 19th century fountain known as ‘Font de Canaletes’ is also located on ‘La Rambla’. Legend has it that ‘all who drink from this fountain will fall in love with Basrcelona and always return’!

Barcelona is also a ‘city of parks’, its largest being ‘Parc de la Ciutadella’ – described as ‘a green, tranquil oasis’. Originally created in the late 1860s, the park was built on the site of a former military fortress (ciutadella) – hence its name. Its many attractions include a Baroque style ‘Cascade Fountain’, an ‘Arc de Triomf’ which symbolises the entrance to the park, a lake where one can hire a boat, and a zoological park.

The city has a thriving shopping area too, with its grand avenue of ‘Passeig de Gracia’, its fashion mall of ‘Boulevard Ross & Bulevard dels Antiquaris, its shopping malls within ‘Placa de Catalunya and Carrer Pelai’, and ‘Portal de l’Angel’, once a Roman thoroughfare and now a pedestrian street frequented by hordes of shoppers – to name but a few top areas.

Barcelona also lays claim to a pulsating ‘night life’ scene, with bars, restaurants, Tapas Bars and night-club hot spots available in abundance. In fact, be it day or be it night, there’s ‘never a dull moment’ in Barcelona, where the varying sights and scenes include ‘something for everyone’

Roberta Crookes has worked as a newspaper journalist throughout most of her life, writing news stories, editorial features, advertisement supplements, and reviews. And in the course of her work she has interviewed many famous people from all walks of life. She has also managed to combine parallel careers in both journalism and acting, and, being Welsh speaking from North Wales, her main television featured parts have been Welsh language roles with BBC Wales.

Fabulous Barcelona

The world is full of interesting city destinations and most of us would be able to name a handful of favourites. Some would opt for grand capital cities and seats of power and learning, or famous places of history and culture. The Catalan city of Barcelona could be described as a near-ideal metropolis and a wonderful place to visit for anyone who enjoys the finer things in life.

Just taking a stroll along its imposing avenues or lounging on one of the café terraces, whilst watching the world go by is a genuine delight. Some of the finest restaurants in Europe can be found here in this dazzling but welcoming city. There are some truly outstanding bars and taverns in the Gothic quarter. As a place to be, rest assured that Barcelona is a feast for the senses.

And yet there is more to this elegant city than fine dining. The architecture is simply stunning and everywhere you look you will find evidence of Barcelona’s prominence in the Art Nouveau movement or Modernism as its particular style was called. The genius of Gaudi, the famous architect and designer, is alive and well in the ongoing work on his cathedral, which goes by the name of the Sagrada Familia. This incredible edifice towers proudly over the city. Make sure you go up in the elevators in the high towers as the view is outstanding. Another place of interest is the Parc Guell, also a brainchild of Gaudi. This park area is an oasis in the city and is the place where locals and tourists alike enjoy spending a few hours relaxing around the art objects in the parkland designed by the great man.

Getting around the city is fairly easy and a good idea would be to make use of the excellent metro system. This mode of transport is reliable, clean and very reasonably priced. A lot of people opt for one of the hotels in the Gothic Quarter when choosing hotel accommodation. This is a fascinating area that is centred on the old Gothic cathedral with its little alleyways, cobbled streets, and old buildings. This section of the city is also quite near to the famous Ramblas boulevard where you can find much to divert you at any time of the day. There is usually a wide variety of street performers, musicians, and other theatrical acts.

And, as if the city centre itself isn’t enough to occupy your time, there is also a fine modern marina on the harbourside, quite close to the beach. Here you will find a choice of excellent seafood restaurants with large covered terraces where it is easy to relax and enjoy a meal in the shade. There are some fine museums in Barcelona; one of which is the Zoology Museum, located in the Cuidadela Park. It is housed in the splendid Castell dels Tres Dragons (Three Dragons Castle). There is also much to see in the Maritime Museum just off the Ramblas. But perhaps one of the more original museums to visit is the Museu de la Xocolata, the Chocolate Museum. This is well worth seeing, especially if you are visiting with children.

It goes without saying that you will find an abundance of tours and sightseeing programmes on offer. For instance, you may want to go and see Montjuïc. This is the hill which overlooks Barcelona from the southwest. This is also the home of the Olympic Stadium, which was used in the 1992 Olympic Games. There are also some excellent art galleries including the Museu Nacional d'Art de Catalunya and the Fundació Joan Miró. The best way to get there is to get to Plaça d'Espanya then climb the steps.

A good suggestion for a trip a bit further away would be to go and visit the Montserrat monastery high in the hills about an hour on the train from the city. It is very easy to get to on the metro and connecting train. The entrance ticket includes transport from the city, which is extremely convenient. This monastery is very famous because of the statue of the Black Madonna, which is on show in the main church. The location of Montserrat perched high on a mountain ridge is truly stunning.

The nightlife in Barcelona is simply fabulous and you won’t be disappointed, whatever your preference may be. The Gothic Quarter with its maze of narrow streets is a great place for an evening stroll. Here you will see a multitude of bars and clubs that stay open until the small hours. The Maremagnum by the harbour is a popular shopping area by day. However, in the evening it becomes a lively party spot with bars of every description. The city simply thrives on culture and there is always a huge choice of ballet, music, dance, theatre, and opera to entertain you.

Barcelona is an amazing jewel of a city with so much to offer the visitor that you will come away replenished and uplifted. Just spending a few days in this most engaging of city destinations can be enough to instil a love for Barcelona that will endure for a lifetime.