Barcelona Spain information

Spain's second largest city, Barcelona is the capital of semi-autonomous Catalonia, a dynamic and strongly independent region with its own language, history, traditions, and folklore. Industrious Catalans can take or leave siesta, and they dance the stately sardaiia rather than engage in the histrionics of flamenco-but they do have a passion for all things Catalan, including their language, which is almost always spoken in preference to Castilian. Catalans also like to live well, so you will find plenty of good shopping, fine restaurants, and a pulsating after-dark scene in Barcelona's bars and nightspots.

Barcelona flourished in the 12th-14th centuries when the superb medieval old town, the Barri Gotic (Gothic Quarter), was founded. Industrialization provided a further economic and cultural boost in the late 19th century, which also saw the Moderniste architect Antoni Gaudi adorn the city with his fantastic creations. Franco's repressive regime aimed to suppress traditional Catalan culture and language. Since his death, however, Barcelona and the region as a whole has undergone a form of renaissance-a process crowned by the hosting of the Olympic Games in 1992.

Barcelona's many attractions are widely spread around the city. The Bus Thristic (mid-June to September) provides a handy hop-on, hop-off service around the main sights, and includes free cable car, funicular, and tram rides for Montjulc and Tibidabo, plus reduced admission to several sights. Details are available from any tourist office. There is also an excellent metro (subway) system.

La Rambla shopping and things to do in Barcelona

The city's main downtown thoroughfare, La Rambla, is more than just a street-it's an event. Part traffic jam, part Promenade, part flower market, it links the city centre Plaza de CataIunya with the harbour. It also divides the historic delights, tempting shops, and friendly tapas bars and restaurants of the Barri Gotic from the rundown and distinctly less appealing Barri Xines. Midway down La Rambla, La Boqueria, the 19th-century covered market, is a city highlight, with mounds of glossy fruit and vegetables, seafood, sausages, meat, poultry, herbs, spices, and sweetmeats.

A short step away, heading for the harbour, the famous Liceu opera house is a local institution. A little farther on, Gaudi's fortress-like Palau Giiell, on Nou de la Rambla, was built for his major sponsor in 1885. Across the main street, a passage leads into the cafe-filled arcades of the fine Plaza Reial. Down by the harbour, the Monument a Colom, honouring Christopher Columbus, is not far from the Museu Maritimo, which traces 700 years of maritime history.

In the Port Vell, a ten-minute walk from the bottom of La Rambla, you will find the L'Aquarium de Barcelona. This modern complex is one of Europe's largest aquariums, and recreates an array of particular marine habitats in addition to a vast oceanarium representing the Mediterranean in general. Children also love the play area, equipped with lots of fun (and free) marine-oriented games.

The narrow alleyways and historic buildings of the Barri Gotie cluster around the imposing Cathedral, founded in the 13th century. Its 19th-century facade overlooks sudden out­breaks of the sardaiia on summer weekends; there is also a graceful garden cloister. Nearby, there are two fascinating museums; the Museu d'Historia de Ia Ciutat (City History Museum) and the Museu Frederic Mares, with its eclectic miscellany of religious objects and art from around the world.

Among the galleries on Carrer de Montcada, the Museu Picasso is the city's most popular museum; a short walk brings you to the pure, Gothic beauty of Santa Maria del Mar church near the waterfront. To the east, the spacious, green expanse of the Pare Ciutadella, its name derived from an 18th-century French prison torn down with much glee in 1869, encompasses paths, gardens, and ponds, an elaborate Gaudf fountain, and one of Europe's better zoos.

Barcelona's historic Jewish community once lived on the slopes of Montjulc (Hill of the Jews), which looms up behind the harbour, not far from the Museu Maritimo, which traces 700 years of maritime history.

Among the galleries on Carrer de Montcada, the Museu Picasso is the city's most popular museum; a short walk brings you to the pure, Gothic beauty of Santa Maria del Mar church near the waterfront. To the east, the spacious, green expanse of the Parc Ciutadella, its name derived from an 18th-century French prison torn down with much glee in 1869, encompasses paths, gardens, and ponds, an elaborate Gaudf fountain, and one of Europe's better zoos.

The Montjuic Castle offers spectacular views of the city and also houses a military museum. Other attractions clinging to the city's steep hillsides include the Parc Atraccions Montjulc fun fair; witty abstract art in the form of the Fundación Joan Miro; a brace of state-of-the-art Olympic arenas; and the Poble Espanyol (Spanish Village), which showcases Spanish architecture and traditions with miniature replicas of palaces, castles, and churches, plus artisans' workshops, concerts, and evening flamenco performances. Art lovers should not miss the world-class collections of Romanesque and Gothic art displayed in the Museu Nacional d'Art de Catalunya (Catalan Art Museum). Nearby is the Plaza Carlos Buigas, the centrepiece of spectacular weekend light shows held from April to September.

To get to grips with Gaudi's unique architectural style, the surrealistic Sagrada Familia (Holy Family) church is a must. An unfinished masterpiece started in 1882 (and still in progress), its 100-metre (330-foot) towers are local landmarks. Other Gaudian highlights include tours of the Casa Mila rooftops at Passeig de Gracia 92; the facade of Casa Battls, down the street at number 43; and the fascinating Parc Giiell.

On the western edge of the city, the beautiful Monastir de Pedralbes deserves a special mention. Founded by Queen Elisenda in 1326, it has a charming cloister and an exceptional selection of paintings on loan from the Thyssen-Bornemisza art collection. And then last, but by no means least, the popular amusement park at Tibidabo combines the best in old- and new­technology rides, offering spectacular views from its perfect perch on a 542-metre (I,778-foot) peak in the western hills overlooking Barcelona.

If you want to hit the beach in summer, it is preferable to head out of the city: either north to the cliffs and coves of the Costa Brava, or south to the sweeping sandy beaches of the Costa Dorada. Barcelona is one of the most popular cities in Spain, and whether you are planning to head off to the Costa Dorada or the Costa Brava, or stay in Barcelona and soak up the fascinating city atmosphere, you are bound to have a great time. If you want to combine a Barcelona city break with a trip to the beaches of the Costa Dorada, hire a car from Barcelona Airport and take your time to look around.

Things to do near Barcelona

For 700 years, pilgrims have been climbing a mighty rock formation to the monastery of Montserrat, the spiritual home of Catalonia and one of Spain's most important pilgrim sites, just 40 km (25 miles) northwest of Barcelona. There have been hermitages here since medieval times, possibly built to escape Moorish invasion; in 880, the Benedictines founded a monastery on this site, 1,135 metres (3,725 feet) above the Llobregat river valley.
During the 12th century Montserrat became the repository of La Moreneta, a Black Madonna statue said to have been made by St. Luke and brought to Barcelona by St. Peter, and pilgrims have come to worship here ever since.

In 1808, Napoleon's troops destroyed the original monastery; the present building dates from 1874. Montserrat is still an active monastery; visitors may only enter the beautiful Gothic cloister, the basilica, and the museum. A highlight of any visit is a recital by the famous Escalonia Boys' Choir, while the museum features artworks by El Greco, Picasso, and modem Catalan artists, as well as interesting archaeological treasures. Sadly, rampant commercialization has invaded Montserrat's grounds. However, it is easy to escape the crowds on one of the four well-signposted walks to former hermitages and the Santa Cova (the Holy Cave, where La Moreneta was allegedly discovered) in the magnificent protected mountain parkland.

Once you have seen one monastery, you have definitely not seen them all. The medieval monastery and fortress of Poblet contrasts sharply with Montserrat.
For a start, few tourists crowd Poblet (133 km/83 miles west of Barcelona), though it is the largest and best preserved Cistercian monastery in Europe. Founded in 1151 by the Count of Barcelona, Ramon Berenguer, as a gesture of thanksgiving for the Reconquest of Catalonia, it sprawls amid fertile hills. Loyal royal patronage ensured fame, fortune, and historical importance for the monastery. Once 200 monks lived and worked here; today there are just 30.
As you enter the grounds, Poblet's facade is a majestic sight. A guided tour leads past the wine cellars, library, chapter house, and refectory into the Romanesque- and Gothic-style church and spacious cloister with a rose garden.

Tarragona Spain

The Romans came ashore at Tarragona (95 km/60 miles south of Barcelona) in the third century B.C., and rapidly established it as an important military and political headquarters. Tarraco, as it was then known, quickly grew to a population of 30,000, minted its own currency, and by 27 B.C. was the capital of Hispania Cite­rior, the largest Roman province on the Iberian Peninsula. Local archaeological finds and monuments-some of the finest to have
survived from this period-include the city walls, the amphithe­atre, a great aqueduct, and the contents of several good museums.

Tarragona's most impressive Roman monument is the first­century Pont del Diable some 4 km north of the town centre, off the N240 towards Lleida (Lerida). The "Devil's Bridge" is actually a perfectly preserved two-storey aqueduct, which spans 217 metres (712 feet) and rises to a height of 27 metres (88 feet) above ground. The Rambla Vella (Old Rambla) neatly divides Tarragona in half. To the north is the old walled city; to the south is the Rambla Nova (New Rambla) and the newer part of town. Take a walk along the Passeig Arqueologic which follows the top of the old city walls that enclose a maze of charming medieval streets.

In this atmospheric corner of town, the Museu Arqueologic, Plaza del Rey, hosts a modern, well-designed exhibition of delicate mosaics and other ancient artefacts. Next door, the Pretori Roma (Roman Praetorium), is thought to have been part of the original complex belonging to the provincial administration. It was restored in the Middle Ages and today houses the atmospheric Museu d'Historia (History Museum).

Walking from here towards the sea brings you to the ruins of the Roman amphitheatre built into the hillside. Gladiators fought here; the first martyrdom of Christians in Spain took place at this site in A.D. 259. Tarragona's most important ancient site beyond the city walls, the Necropoli Museu Paleocristia (Necropolis and Paleo-Christian Museum), stands at the place of the city's early Christian burial ground. Excavations have uncovered over 2,000 graves; you will find the best archeological discoveries displayed in the museum.

Medieval Tarragona's pride and joy is its cathedral, the largest in Catalonia, founded in 1171. The 12th- to 13th-century cloister is an attraction in its own right; the Museu Diocesa harbours a fine collection of art treasures and Flemish tapestries. The antique cobbled streets around the cathedral exude an air of picturesque decay. Here you'll find the Casa Museu Castellarnau, an 18th­to 19th-century mansion with sumptuous period fittings.

Back in the modem part of town, the Balco del Mediterrani looks down onto Tarragona's commercial port, one of the busiest in the Mediterranean. The adjacent fishing port is worthy of a visit for its fish restaurants. Situated on a fertile plain, half-way between Barcelona and Tarragona, (54km/34 miles southwest of Barcelona), Vilafranca lies at the heart of one of Spain's best-known wine regions. The tourist office can supply a list of welcoming vineyards nearby.

You will find the Museu dei Vi (wine museum), housed in a medieval palace once owned by the counts of Barcelona and the kings of Aragon. Dioramas illustrate the story of wine through the ages. The wine museum shares its quarters with the Museu Municipal, which is devoted to archeology, natural history, and Catalan religious art. From the third-floor windows, you may see a monument to another of the town's passions-a human pyramid of castellers. A type of Catalan folk troupe comprised of men and boys, the castellers climb barefoot on each other's shoulders to form precarious human towers up to seven storeys high.

Vilafranca's leafy rambla and old town centre are full of character, particularly on a Saturday, when they host one of the region's most colourful general markets. Also visit the splendid basilica of Santa Maria, the adjacent Palais Balta, and the church of Sant Francese, famous for its Catalan Gothic treasures.