Exploring Worlds, Old & New

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Table of Contents: 
ANCIENT ARCHITECTURE.
OLD ARCHITECTURE.
NEW BARCELONA.

Joan Miró was born in Barcelona. He was a painter, sculptor, and ceramicist.
Joan Miró is everywhere, even on the street.

 

Come, see Barcelona’s ever-changing panorama of architecture, ruins, hills, and light.

Architecture spans from around 50 B.C. to the modern-day.

The people are cosmopolitan. But with an old-fashion grounding in hospitality.

The food and wine scene is taking off and winning awards from around the world.

In the art world, you have Picasso and hometown favorite Joan Miró making a splash.

And then there’s Gaudi. Lots of Gaudi. He starts in the 1870s and his last project is still under construction.

But people are not diving deep enough into Barcelona.

They are scratching the surface and only experiencing a little of this amazing city.

In short, you need to dive into Barcelona.

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Ancient Architecture.

Barcelona does not have a large number of ancient buildings like other cities along the Mediterranean.

But what little it still has is quite intriguing.

Emperor Augustus found the Roman town of Barcino around 15-10 BC.

As often happens, they build over the older settlements. And they recycle building material for the newer structures.

Barcelona suffers a similar fate. However, you can still see the old, if you know where to look.

Thankfully, during construction of the surrounding buildings, someone thought to preserve these four columns. They make up a corner of the Temple Roma d'Augusti.
The four remaining columns from the Augustus Temple.

 

Near the cathedral is the Placa Nova. Here is a collection of ancient Roman structures including a gate, wall and aquaduct from Roman times.
Placa Nova contains parts of a gate, wall, and an aqueduct from Roman times.

 

Remains from Barcelona in the 1700s were found under the 1800s market building. Today you can see both.
Remains of 1700s Barcelona at the El Born Center.

This includes the excavation of the first century B.C., Roman town under Plaça del Rei. Not only is the Roman town interesting, but seeing the different layers of Barcelona is unique.

Underneath, they are excavating streets and foundations dating to around 1700. 
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Old Architecture.

Gothic Quarter 

Go early or late but not mid-morning.
The famous Barcelona market La Boqueria

 

Very few know this bridge leads from the judicial buildings to wjat was once a politicians home. They just think its pretty.
Ponte del Bisbe is actually new as Barcelona architecture goes.

 

Gaudi's design went from the cellar to the roof. Nowhere is this more apparent than the La Pedrera apartment building.
The rooftop of Gaudi’s La Pedrera.

 

Barcelona and Old Harbor.

The old port area has many delightful buildings.
Barcelona’s old Customs building. The charm is in the detail.

 

The new Customs building was built between 1896 and 1902. The design is by by the architect Enric Sagnier i Villavecchia.
The New Customs Building.

 

On return from the new world, Columbus chose Barcelona as his landing port.
The Column of Christopher Columbus – Tribute to Christopher Columbus,

Mont Juïc Area.

There are art and architecture museums, and the Olympic museum and stadium. You can spend a whole day in this area.

Architecture from all over Spain can be seen in one location, the Spanish Village. Part of the International Exhibition of 1929.
– The Spanish Village.

 

It occupies a building from the Great World Exhibition.
The National Museum of Catalunya Art includes a commanding view of Barcelona.

Hostafrancs Neighborhood.

Below the National Museum of Catalunya Art is this area, once the major viewing area of the exhibition.

 

With bull fighting losing popularity in Barcelona, they made the stadium into something that was popular. A shopping mall.
The Old bullfighting rink is now a mall.

 

Gaudi.

No conversation on Barcelo can skip over the home-town hero. He began here and the majority of his existing work is on display here.

Will they finish before 2026, the 100th year since Gaugi's death?
Gaudi’s Sacred Family Cathedral. He designs it, knowing he will not see the completion.

 

See Barcelona where even the stained glass windows of la Sagrada Familia are anything but plain.
Rose Window of the Gaudi cathedral.

 

Every wall seems to have stained glass windows in all shapes and sizes.
More stained-glass inside.

 

Part of the design includes no 90 degree angles.
The Gaudi apartment building.

Photos do not do justice to Antoni Gaudi’s works.

You look at his work and wonder where do the ideas come from?

From large facades and roofs to mailboxes and rain downspouts, his genius can be seen in all the details.

See the UNESCO sites by Gaudi, but see the other ones as well.
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See Barcelona Modern.

The Torre Glòries building is a 38 story skyscraper that overlooks Barcelona's technological district.
The Torre Glòries building puts on a light show at night.

 

In the Raval area, walking distance from la Rambla is the Barcelona Museum of Contemporary Art. It has a 5000 piece collection.
Barcelona Museum of Contemporary Art (MACBA).

 

See Barcelona Summary

The city has so many blessings.

Certainly, there is Gaudi and the wealth of his projects.

But it has other great architects and artists.

The Gothic quarter is stunning and the remaining Roman treasures are interesting.

There are mountains and seasides to explore. And that’s just in town.

Allow enough time to take it all in.

Come see Barcelona.

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