Wednesday, 14 March 2012

Top Ten Places To Be In Barcelona

By John Dorian


The city of Barcelona is a splended locale teeming with excitement and passion. The soulful passion that emanates from the streets of this capital city of Catalonia -- also Spain's second largest city -- is just what living life to the fullest is all about. Barcelona's verve is matched by its magnificent architecture, characterized by one man's signature, Antonio Gaudi.

Las Ramblas

Las Ramblas, which runs from the seafront all the way through Placa de Catalunya, is the perfect confluence of market stalls and amusement straight from the streets. Always make it a point to look at your purse from time to time, as the mime artists can sometimes do more than just entertain.

Sagrada Familia Church

In a way, this can be referred to as Antonio Gaudi's "unfinished symphony", as La Sagrada Familia has been in progress since 1882. As yet unfinished, the ongoing construction of this Gothic masterpiece is financed through tourism.

Picasso Museum

Born in Malaga, Pablo Picasso moved to Barcelona during his teen years. While a good number of his finest creations are still privately owned, the Picasso Museum is still worth popping over to see -- it can be found on the Carrer Moncada.

Casa-Museu Gaudi

Gaudi's museum is, in actuality, a pink house that reminds one of Alice in Wonderland, a quaint setting indeed. For twenty years spanning 1906 to 1926, Gaudi made his home in this location together with his niece. Gaudi's touch is all over the place, which is replete with fine drawings and portraits and Gaudi-designed furniture.

The Poble Espanol

Completed in 1929, the 'Spanish Village' is a compilation of buildings representing the collective architectural characteristics of Spain. This collection of buildings was completed in 1929 and is essentially a venue for fine dining and lavish entertainment.

Bishop's Palace

After his original palace became victim to fire damage some time before 1887, Bishop Juan Bautista Grau i Vallespins enlisted Antonio Gaudi (who else?) to create for him an even more grandiose palace in lieu of the old one. However, Gaudi would walk out on the project following the bishop's death and the resulting innuendo spread by the diocese. Nobody inhabited this location until 1961.

Gothic Quarter

The Gothic Quarter is located on an ancient village from Roman times, and shows the divergence between classical and neo-classical architecture, which informs the structure of this 14th century cathedral.

Olympic Stadium

Barcelona's Olympic Stadium is a part of recent world and sporting history, the site of the 1992 Olympic Games that had the world enraptured. The stadium is still a popular venue for athletic events, and is actually a new and improved version of an eighty-year old stadium.

Passeig de Gracia

The Passeig de Gracia is a shopping district with shoppes and boutiques that are tailored to the needs, wants and price ranges of proletariat and bourgeoisie alike. Bars and restaurants also line the thoroughfare.

Lover's Day

On behalf of those looking for romance, Barcelona obliges with its own version of St Valentines, known as Lover's Day, celebrated every April 23rd.




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