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September 15, 2019 – Barcelona

THE THOMS SUNDAY TRAVEL SECTION


WHERE TO?                  TASTE.                   SEE


Barcelona is a major cruise hub for the Mediterranian, and yet too few people see it.

Barcelona has so much more than you realize.

Some may see it on an orientation drive to the airport, which I guess is better than nothing.

But buses cannot drive into the old section, the Gothic Quarter. They cannot access the interiors of the Gaudi masterpieces, so what are they taking away?

Here is the sad part. So many people mark it off their to-do list after this awful introduction.

Barcelona is a city deserving of your time.

Barcelona has the Barrio Gótico

The Gothic Quarter has some significant pedestrian streets, leading off La Rambla. But not enough people get off La Rambla.

It is on the curving, twisting side streets where you find the treasures. Stroll Plaça Sant IU or Plaça Reial and start to get a feel for the old section. Visit the cathedral but also see the UNESCO World Heritage site, Palau de la Música Catalana.

Palau de la Música Catalana.
Barcelona’s towering Gothic Cathedral.

 

Barcelona has Gaudi.

What about the hometown hero? Seeing the Sagrada Familia from outside is nice, but there is a whole new world inside.

In fairness, until 2010, you could not see inside. But today you can, and it will amaze you. How does someone picture this over 100 years ago?

The interior of Gaudi’s masterpiece, Sagrada Familia.

The Works of Gaudi UNESCO designation includes his work on the Nativity façade and Crypt of La Sagrada Familia. It also contains six other Gaudi sites. Parque Güell; Palacio Güell; Casa Mila; Casa Vicens; Gaudí’s Casa Batlló; and the Crypt in Colonia Güell.

I bet you have a lot of Gaudi to see. I will not even mention the other ten+ Gaudi sites, not on the list. But also unique and worth seeing.

A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhoods!

Over a few thousand years, the city has been spreading, and not everything is right next to each other. Sants-Montjuïc, which you pass on the way to the airport, has a full day of sites to see. Few Americans go to the mount.

For art lovers, there is modern art at the Joan Miró Foundation, and the impressive Museu Nacional d’Art de Catalunya.

Museu Nacional d’Art de Catalunya.

For history fans, it has the Archaeology Museum of Catalonia.

Sports fans may enjoy the Museu Olímpic I de l’Esport (and nearby Olympic stadium.)

For fans of architecture, there is the Poble Espanyol de Montjuic, an open-air museum of Spain’s regional architecture.

The Spanish Village has samples of more than 100 Spanish styles of architecture.

 

Plaça de Catalunya area

Many say this is the center of Barcelona. Sitting between Las Ramblas, and the fashionable Passeig De Gracia it is a great meeting place. The University district is nearby to the west.

 

La Barceloneta and The Old Port

The old harbor area has history, while La Barceloneta, along the coast,  offers day and nighttime entertainment.

Historic custom house building in the old port.

And there’s a lot more than that. One of my favorite Maritime museums is just across the street.

Barcelona has so much to see.

Barcelona has Many Should See Sites.

Gaudi invents the word gaudy. Despite what some guides may tell you, that British term is from circa 1500. That is several hundred years before Antoni was coloring with a crayon, let alone using an architect scale.  Whether gaudy or grande, see his works.

Park Guell was a total failure, or was it?
Las Ramblas very early in the morning.

Is La Rambla worth seeing?

YES! It begins at the Christopher Columbus Monument at Port Vell (old harbor) where all the cruise ships purge their guests. It stretches for 3/4 of a mile to the Plaça de Catalunya in the center of modern-day Barcelona.

The tree-lined street offers cafes, shops, sidewalk flower stands, and authentic Spanish items from Taiwan. And street performers every 3 feet. It is a large barrel of fish for pick-pockets.

It separates the Gothic Quarter from the historic El Raval neighborhood.

El Raval.

This historic neighborhood is close to the port and became a dumping ground for Immigrants. Today, it still has a diverse immigrant community. It is a minor sightseeing destination but is home to a few should-sees.

The famous Barcelona market La Boqueria

Gothic Quarter (Barrio Gòtico).

The entire Gothic Quarter is worth seeing, but here are some highlights.

La Rambla Area.

The charming Plaça Reial.

It has points of interest by Gaudi. One of his very first commissions was for the street lamps in this square. A stop in this picturesque plaça will confirm you are in Spain.

Plaça Sant Jaume Area.

The Temple of Augustus.

 

Cathedral Area.

The Ponte del Bisbe

If you feel like it, climb to the roof (3 euro). From the roof, there are up-close views of the spire and across the Gothic Quarter. They require donations to visit the main church between 12:45 – 3:15 pm daily. The cathedral is free to visit before and after this time. As with ALL religious sites, shoulders and knees should have a cover.

Cathedral of the Holy Cross and Saint Eulalia.

Also in the Gothic Quarter.

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Passeig de la Gracia (Street of the Greeks) runs north from the Plaça de Catalunya. This broad boulevard is home to upscale hotels and shopping. There are several must-see sites in this area.

Rooftops along Passeig de la Gracia.

In addition to two of Gaudi’s works, the street has several other should-see structures.

Illa de la Discòrdia (Block of Discord) – Is the block where you will find the Casa Batllo (Gaudi). The neighborhood holds a collection of 1900 homes by different architects.

Casa Amatller is a masterpiece of Modernism.

Montjuïc.

Is an area complete with museums, a castle, and fantastic city views

Joan Miro is a hometown hero.
The Magic Fountain is on the cascade below the art museum.

To learn more about Barcelona, click here.

 

Barcelona Summary

I usually spend two nights giving me approximately two full days to explore. I try to do one neighborhood at a time, and this still never seems like enough time.

Then there is the Catalonian cuisine to sample. And what about the local wine?

Then there are many day trips. The wine country (and sparkling cava). Roman Tarragona or the beach town of Sitges to the south. The Christian pilgrimage site of Montserrat is an hours drive to the northwest. Or delve into Salvadore Dali at his Dalí Theatre and Museum in Figueres. On the way, see charming Girona.

After reading this, if I ask you, “Where are you going?” I hope the answer is Barcelona.

 

PLEASE scroll down to the “Please Leave a Reply section at the bottom and tell me your thoughts on: 

Where would you begin in Barcelona?” 

 

Please help me spread the news by liking, commenting, and sharing this blog. – THANKS!

“Santorini Greece” Continued on Page T3         Taste Andros” Continued on T11

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