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| BARCELONA TRAVEL GUIDE Barcelona is Spain's second largest and the capital of Catalonia, one of the 17 regions that form Spain. The city, Spain's second largest, has a wealth of unique historic architecture and has emerged as one of the most popular tourist destinations in Europe during the 1990s. Barcelona is a major economic centre, with one of Europe's principal Mediterranean ports, and Barcelona International Airport is the second largest in Spain. Founded as a Roman city, Barcelona became the capital of the Counts of Barcelona and the Crown of Aragon. Besieged several times during its history, Barcelona is today an important cultural centre and a major tourist destination and has a rich cultural heritage. Particularly renowned are architectural works of Antoni Gaudí and Lluís Domènech i Montaner that have been designated UNESCO World Heritage Sites. As the capital of Catalonia, Barcelona houses the seat of the Catalan government, known as the Generalitat de Catalunya; of particular note are the executive branch, the parliament and the Supreme Court of Catalonia. The city is also the capital of the county (comarca) of the Barcelonès. The name Barcelona comes from the ancient Iberian Phoenician Barkeno; Greek: ?a??????; Latin: Barcino, Barcelo and Barceno. During the Middle Ages the city was variously known as Barchinona, Barçalona, Barchelona and Barchenona. The foundation of Barcelona is the subject of two different legends. The first attributes the founding of the city to Hercules 400 years before the building of Rome, and that it was rebuilt by the Carthaginian Hamilcar Barca, father of Hannibal, who named the city Barcino after his family, in the 3rd century BC. The second legend attributes the foundation directly to Hamilcar Barca. About 15 BC, the Romans redrew the town as a castrum (Roman military camp) centred on the "Mons Taber", a little hill near the contemporary city hall (Plaça de Sant Jaume). Under the Romans it was a colony, with the surname of Faventia, or, in full, Colonia Faventia Julia Augusta Pia Barcino or Colonia Julia Augusta Faventia Paterna Barcino. Mela mentions it among the small towns of the district, probably as it was eclipsed by its neighbour Tarraco (modern Tarragona); but it may be gathered from later writers that it gradually grew in wealth and consequence, favoured as it was with a beautiful situation and an excellent harbour. It enjoyed immunity from imperial burdens The city minted its own coins; some from the era of Galba survive. Some important Roman ruins are exposed under the Plaça del Rei, entrance by the city museum (Museu d'Història de la Ciutat), and the typically Roman grid-planning is still visible today in the layout of the historical centre, the Barri Gòtic ("Gothic Quarter"). Some remaining fragments of the Roman walls have been incorporated into the cathedral. The cathedral, also known as basilica La Seu is said to have been founded in 343. The city was conquered by the Visigoths in the early fifth century, by the Moors in the early eighth century, reconquered from the emir in 801 by Charlemagne's son Louis who made Barcelona the seat of Carolingian "Spanish Marches" (Marca Hispanica), a buffer zone ruled by the Count of Barcelona. Barcelona was still a Christian frontier territory when it was sacked by Al-Mansur in 985. The Counts of Barcelona became increasingly independent and expanded their territory to include all of Catalonia, later the Crown of Aragon which conquered many overseas possessions, ruling the western Mediterranean Sea with outlying territories in Naples and Sicily and as far as Athens in the thirteenth century. The forging of a dynastic link between the Crowns of Aragon and Castile marked the beginning of Barcelona's decline. August is probably the busiest time in Barcelona; at the same time about 10% of shops and restaurants can be found closed from mid-August to early September: owners go to vacations. As humidity is high, 19-23 degrees Celsius (not higher) is the most comfortable weather. GENERAL INFORMATION Country Spain Autonomous Community Catalonia Province Barcelona Comarca Barcelonès Administrative Divisions 10 Neighborhoods 45 Land Area 100.4 km² Population 1,605,602 Density 15,969 hab./km² PLACE TO VISIT La Rambla - The most famous boulevard in Barcelona stretches from the Harbour to La Placa Catalunya running through the Ciutat Vella like a spine. Come here to see the street performers jump out at unsuspecting tourists, enjoy the flower and pet stalls, or just sit back and watch all of Barcelona walk by. During the day, La Rambla is packed with tourists, at night, the locals come out. If you happen to be here after Barca win, you're in for a treat! A few blocks south of its north end, you'll find La Boqueria, a very large, fresh air (but covered) market Cathedral of Santa Eulàlia - is the Gothic cathedral seat of the Roman Catholic Archbishop of Barcelona, Catalonia (Though sometimes inaccurately so called, the famous Sagrada Família is not a cathedral). The cathedral was constructed throughout the 13th to 15th centuries on top of a former Visigothic church. The Gothic-like façade is from the 19th century. La Sagrada Família - is a massive Roman Catholic church under construction in Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain. Construction began in 1882 and its formal title is Temple Expiatori de la Sagrada Família. Originally designed by Antoni Gaudí (1852 – 1926), who worked on the project for over 40 years, devoting the last 15 years of his life entirely to the endeavor, the project is scheduled to be completed in 2026. On the subject of the extremely long construction period, Gaudí is said to have remarked, "My client is not in a hurry." After Gaudí's death in 1926, work continued under the direction of Domènech Sugranyes until interrupted by the Spanish Civil War in 1936. Santa Maria del Mar - is an imposing church in Barcelona, Catalonia. Located in the district of La Ribera, it was built between 1329 and 1383, at the height of Catalonia's maritime and mercantile preeminence. It is an outstanding example of Catalan Gothic, with a purity and unity of style that are very unusual in large mediaeval buildings Portal de l'Àngel - is a pedestrian street in the Ciutat Vella district of Barcelona by Plaça Catalunya, and part of the large shopping area that spans from Avinguda Diagonal to Barri Gòtic. It's one of the city's most visited streets and is always crowded with tourists at any time of the year. Casa Batlló - is a building restored by Antoni Gaudí and Josep Maria Jujol, built in the year 1877 and remodelled in the years 1905–1907; located at 43, Passeig de Gràcia (passeig is Catalan for promenade or avenue), part of the Illa de la Discòrdia in the Eixample district of Barcelona, Catalonia. Casa Milà - better known as La Pedrera (Catalan for 'The Quarry'), is a building designed by the Catalan architect Antoni Gaudí and built in the years 1905–1907. It is located at 92, Passeig de Gràcia ('passeig' is Catalan for promenade or avenue) in the Eixample district of Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain. It was built for Roger Segimon de Milà. It is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site "Works of Antoni Gaudí". National Art Museum of Catalonia - abbreviated as MNAC, is a museum of Catalan visual art located in Barcelona, Catalonia. It is housed on the Palau Nacional, built for the 1929 World's Fair. Situated on the Montjuïc hill, it was rehabilitated by the 1992 Summer Olympics. Palau de la Música Catalana - is a concert hall designed in the Catalan modernisme style by the architect Lluís Domènech i Montaner. It was built in Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain, between 1905 and 1908 for the Orfeó Català, a choral society founded in 1891 that was a leading force in the Catalan cultural and political independence movement that came to be known as the Renaixença (Catalan Rebirth) (Benton 1986, 56; Fahr-Becker 2004, 199). Arc de Triomf - is an archway structure in Barcelona, Spain. It was built for the 1888 Universal exhibition, as its main access gate by architect Josep Vilaseca i Casanovas. The arch is built in reddish brickwork in the Moorish Revival style. The front frieze contains the stone sculpture "Barcelona rep les nacions" (Catalan for "Barcelona welcomes the nations") by Josep Reynés. The opposite frieze contains a stone carving named "Recompense", a work from the earliest period of Josep Llimona. The top of the arch is decorated with the Barcelona coat of arms as well as a representation of all 49 other Spanish provinces, work of Torquat Tassó and Antoni Vilanova. Casa Vicens - is a family residence in Barcelona (Catalonia), designed by Antoni Gaudí and built for industrialist Manuel Vicens. It was Gaudí's first important work. It is added to the UNESCO World Heritage Site "Works of Antoni Gaudí" in 2005. It was built in the period 1883-1889 and is located at Carrer de les Carolines 24, in the Gràcia district of Barcelona. The site was small (smaller today after the widening of the street) and conventional structures already existed in the area. Nevertheless, the house is sizeable, measuring some 12,500 square feet on four levels. Torre Agbar - or Agbar Tower, is a 21st century skyscraper at Plaça de les Glòries Catalanes, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain. It was designed by French architect Jean Nouvel and built by Dragados. It opened in June 2005 and it was inaugurated officially by the King of Spain on 16 September 2005. Torre de Collserola - is a uniquely designed tower located on the Tibidabo hill in the Serra de Collserola, near Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain. It was designed by architect Lord Norman Foster, and built in 1992 for the 1992 Summer Olympics. It features a pod for floor space like many towers but uses guide lines for lateral support like a mast. Mainly used as a TV and radio transmitter, this futuristic design provides the highest viewpoint over the city. The top antenna reaches 288.4m (946 ft) and the top of the pod, which has thirteen floors, reaches 152m (499 ft). Montjuïc Castle - with it's beautiful panorama view over the rest of the city. Take the Harbour cable car to Barceloneta for more splendid views. La Plaça Reial - is located next to La Rambla in the Ciutat Vella and is considered to be one of the most beautiful squares in the world. Also look at the Gaudi streetlights! Olympic Port - It has a large number of restaurants, bars and other establishments which have made Barcelona's nightlife even more intense. FC Barcelona - If you're a football freak then you can't miss a visit to Camp Nou, the home ground for Barcelona's biggest and most popular team, and one of Europes greatest footballing 'cathedrals'. FCB are the only major football club in the world that doesn't sell advertising space on it's strip, and this is because the current president, Joan Laporta, has not been able to find any suitable sponsors since being elected in 2004.. During the Franco era, FCB were the only way that supressed Catalans could vent their anger against his dictatorship, and because of this it became a symbol of Catalan identity. Camp Nou is the biggest stadium in Europe with a capacity of 98,600 people, and it also has shops and a museum of the club's history. Match tickets are relatively cheap (25-35 Euros) and games hardly ever completely sell out, unless it's a match against the hated rivals Real Madrid, or one of the other top teams (currently Valencia or Sevilla). Zoo-Barcelona - It is located in Parc de la Ciudadella. Prior to his death, this zoo was famous for its albino gorilla "Snowflake". Today this zoo still has many other features including a science museum inside the zoo. Poble Espanyol - A fake village with replicas of characteristic buildings in Spain (like the Avila walls, the Vall-de-roures town hall, etc). The village hosts the Fondation Fran Daurel, where you can enjoy an interesting Modern Art collection boasting Miró, Picasso, Tapiès and other, mostly Spanish and Catalan, nowaday's artists. The audio tour is very worthwhile here. Monestir de Pedralbes - A beautiful Gothic monastery near the university. There is a picture gallery, a museum which depicts the monastery life, a church and a marvelous chapel covered with medievil frescoes. L'Aquarium - The second biggest aquaurium of Europe (after that in Genoa). Watch thousands of fishes, penguins and sharks in this interactive sea-life museum. Unlike Genoese Aquarium it has a long glass "tube", where you can walk watching sharks and other fish swimming around. Located at the Port Vell leisure centre, next to the IMAX cinema. Entrance ticket - 15 Euro. Ruta del Modernisme - takes you round all the best Modernisme (art nouveau) buildings in Barcelona. The main part of the route can be walked in a couple of hours, providing you don't stray too far from the main routes. The Tourist Offices offer a pack which includes discounted tickets to many attractions such as La Pedrera and La Casa Batlló. All can be seen from the outside for free. La Pedrera - Hosts a large exposition of Gaudi works, covering Sagrada Familia and Casa Batlio, not only La Pedrera itself. The exposition is a good place to start your exploration of Gaudi: it reveals many hidden details you would never notice yourself (of course, unless you studied the subject before visiting). entrance: approximately €8. Güell Park -. This is on a hill overlooking Barcelona, so expect a relatively steep walk to the top (Lesseps metro station, then follow arrows which are met every 300 m); you will be rewarded with a panoramic view of the whole city. The park has two distinct parts, a relatively undeveloped natural area near the top of the hill, and the more famous (and crowded) sculpture park below. The sculpture portion is full of walkways and other structures exhibiting the distinct and colorful style of Gaudi, including the famous terrace. Free entrance. (If you take the bus 24, be caution of pickpockets. Bus 24 is has the most pickpockets of all the lines because it is full of tourists going to the park and it is usually very crowded.) Casa Amatller - by Puig i Cadafalch, is a fine work of Modernisme. Open for visitors (free entrance), only ground floor. Check detailed photos and explanation of facade sculptures. Also has a shop which sells fine chocolate (the Amatller family made its money out of cocoa). Museum de l'Eròtica de Barcelona - on La Rambla, just in front of the market IS a huge tourist trap (for the more open Western cultured tourist). For the more conservative Asian folks, this can be an eye opener. The tour isn't worth it, unless you wish to see (or never seen) old paints of kamasutra. The only interest is the huge phallus in the hallway, makes funny pictures! WHAT TO DO Las Ramblas, a tile-covered tree-lined pedestrian walkway, the busiest and most lively street of the city. Today it's mostly occupied by tourists, you won't see any spanish sitting on its terraces. If you still want to have the experience of sitting on the famous street, expect to pay higher prices for (bad) food and drink. Avoid the groups of people supposedly betting on a game played on a carboard table, they are thieves. Head off into some of the side streets for a cheaper, more local, experience of Barcelona. Cruise miles of beachfront boardwalk starting from Barceloneta or get a tan on the beach. Sit on a wooden bridge to Maremagnum with your shoes off just above the water: with a book, sandwich or just for a short rest. Wander the Barri Gotic, the largely intact medieval centre of the city. Enjoy the nightlife in the city's 200 or so squats. Walk in Born, a very popular area with great restaurants and places to have a few drinks. Be on the beach every Sunday night throughout the summer for live music, drinks and swimming. Check out Gràcia: a neighbourhood just off Park Guell, full of local culture, few tourists, tons of places for relaxing and eating. Visit flamenco show in a real tablao. Tablao de Carmen that is situated in Poble Espanyol offers a spectacular flamenco evening. The cheapest entrance fee (31 Euro) includes the 1.5-2 hour show, drink and free of charge entrance in Poble Espanyol. Ride cable way to get from the sea front to Montjuïc mountain. 7.5 Euro for one-way ticket. Although this was recently closed for renovation, it is now open again. Rides on the Montjuic cable are not included in transit tickets like the Barcelona Card. Check out Montjuïc and its green surroundings, where you can also admire the German minimalist Ludwig Mies van der Rohe 1929 Pavilion or the interesting Caixa Forum building (right in front of the Pavilion). Sit for a while in Plaça dels Àngels, while admiring the whiteness of the MACBA and the best street skate tricks in town. Rent a bike or join a Biketour and get to see the highlights of the city in a different way. Ride from the magic beaches of the Mediterranean, to Gaudí's modernist buildings through the medieval atmosphere of the Gothic Quarter. More info: Biking in Barcelona FESTIVALS Festes de la Mercè Around the 24th of September, the main celebrations in the city. Live music during all the day and night, theatre, life in the streets, castellers, and most of it for free! Festes de Gràcia - around the 15th of August, the celebrations from the Gràcia quarter. Many streets are decorated by the neighbours, live music, food in the street, party all night long. Festes de Sants - similar to Gracia's event, but smaller and a bit later in August. If you can't go to the Gracia's, try these! Sant Jordi 23rd of April. Is like Saint Valentine's in many places. People give roses and books around the streets. Is one of the most popular and interesting celebrations in Catalonia. Corpus- Late in May (Corpus Christi day). An egg is put over the fountains (most of them in the churches, and decorated with flowers), and "magically dances" over the water. Most of the churches are in the city centre: Cathedral's cloister, Santa Anna, Casa de l'Ardiaca, Museu Frederic Marés, and over 10 more fountains. Fira de Santa Llúcia From December 2nd/3rd to December 23rd, to commemorate Sta Llúcia (December 13th). In front of the Cathedral, is where the Christmas objects are sold. Some places sell Christmas trees, but most of them sell elements for making the pessebres, the representations of the birth of Jesus that people uses to put at home. These include small sculptures, wooden pieces and moss used to simulate grass Revetlla de Sant Joan: for weeks on end, listen to kids shoot off caps and fire crackers. Finish the week with San Juan, head down to the beach for various music stations and all night festivities. HOW TO REACH By plane - Low cost carriers operating to Barcelona are: Jet2.com, ClickAir (a discount subsidiary of Iberia), Vueling , easyJet , RyanAir , Blue Air , Sterling Airlines Barcelona International Airport also known as El Prat, is a major transport hub and fields flights from all over Europe and beyond. Terminals: There are three terminals, A, B and C, all within fairly easy walking distance of each other. Terminal B is used by Spanish carriers (Iberia, Spanair, Air Europa, Vueling) and their partners (eg British Airways). Terminal C is smallest and used for all domestic flights, including the Puente Aereo (Air shuttle) to Madrid. Terminal A for all other flights. A giant new south terminal is expected to open in 2009 or so. Transfer to/from the airport: The airport is only about 10 km away from the city center. Taxis are supposed to use a zone chart for trips into the city, but rarely do, and you can expect to pay up to €25. A cheaper and often faster option is the half-hourly RENFE suburban train calling at Sants (20 minutes), Passeig de Gràcia (25 minutes) and Estació de França (30 minutes) in the city centre. A single ticket is about €2.20, but an under-advertised fact is that you can use the T-10 ticket (€6.90 for ten trips, including all bus and metro transfers made within 75 minutes) instead. You can buy a T-10 from the ticket vending machine at the airport station. Alternatively, the Aerobús A1 line stops between Terminal A and Terminal B and travels along Gran Via to Plaça Catalunya. Buses depart every 6-9 minutes, the published journey time is 35 minutes (although can take considerably longer during rush hour) and costs €3.90 one-way. Buses are heavily air-conditioned in summer: have something extra to wear during the journey. Aerobuses stop running at midnight, but you can catch a Nit Bus night bus service instead. By rail - Several trains per day (including overnight hotel trains) from other parts of Europe (via France) are regular & reliable. Main train stations: Barcelona-Sants (to the south west of the centre) Barcelona-Estació de França, Avinguda Marquès de l´Argentera (on the edge of the old town next to the seafront district of Barceloneta) From/to Estació de França there are several connections per day to Cerbère (France), connecting there on trains towards Marseille and Nice. There are also 2 direct trains a day from Sants and Passeig de Gracia to Perpignan, Beziers, Narbonne and Montpellier in France. The long-delayed AVE high-speed train line is finally expected to reach Barcelona Sants station in early 2008. Travel time from Madrid will be 2 hours 35 minutes non-stop (10 times a day) and 3 hours 15 minutes with intermediate stops (15 times a day). By sea - You can arrive to Barcelona by boat from the Balearic Islands, from Genoa and from Rome. For further information, check http://www.gnv.it and http://www.grimaldi- ferries.com. From Rome (Civitavecchia) it is actually cheaper than the bus. The ferry docks almost directly on the Ramblas. By bus - See http://www.barcelonanord.com/ for all bus connections, national and international. |