Barcelona – Modernist Architecture in a Modern City
From the Costa Blanca there are a variety of ways to travel to Barcelona, by plane, car or bus. For a scenic, relaxing way of travelling, however, you can't beat the train. Trains run regularly from the main station in Alicante via Valencia, Castellon and Tarragona, taking four and a half hours to reach Barcelona. The journey takes you north from Alicante past the Modernist church at Novelda, giving you a taste of what's to come when you reach Barcelona. The train arrives at 'Sants' station in Barcelona, from where it is possible to travel by underground train to all parts of the city. Barcelona is the ideal city for a short break.
Perhaps the most famous of Barcelona's residents is Antonio Gaudi, the architect who has left an indelible stamp on the city, and who was killed by a tram in 1926. High above on a hill overlooking the city is the Parc Güell, an area that was originally intended to be a ‘garden city’ similar to those in England. It was the idea of Don Eusebi Güell i Bacigalupi, a gentlemen who had lots of money and who wished to beautify Barcelona. He chose Gaudi as the architect for the project, but unfortunately after the completion of only three of the planned sixty houses, the project was abandoned. However, the area is now a beautiful park where Gaudi's magical houses peep through the greenery.
The most impressive area is what would have been the town square, supported on 86 columns and featuring a wavy bench all the way around it. A dragon covered with the mosaic designs, which are a hallmark of Gaudi's, guards the entrance. Other Gaudi masterpieces in the city are 'La Pedrera' on the Passeig Gracia, 'Casa Batlló, further down the same street and, of course, the 'Sagrada Familia' cathedral. 'La Pedrera' is an apartment block designed by Gaudi with wrought iron balconies which look like jungle creepers and a façade that looks as if it is carved out of rock. The true magic is not revealed until you get onto the roof where you are faced with the fabulous chimneys, some covered in brightly coloured mosaic, some twisted into weird shapes and some like ancient warriors standing guard. Beneath the roof, in the attics there is an interesting display detailing Gaudi's life and works. It is also possible to visit two of the apartments, one of which is furnished in a style that would have been fashionable when the first residents moved into the building. 'Casa Battló' is a favourite with visitors. It is not possible to go beyond the entrance hall, but the outside of the building is just amazing. The roof is in the shape of a dragon, the balconies are like gold skulls peering down at you and the façade is covered in multi-coloured mosaic. It is a building straight out of a fairytale.
The 'Sagrada Familia' cathedral is absolutely immense. It was begun in 1884 and is still a long way from being finished. It is very interesting to watch the builders going about their work and seeing how the modern façade on one side compares to the older façade on the other side. The strong of heart and stomach can climb right up into the towers and for the less brave, there is a lift that takes you part way up. In the crypt is a museum showing all the different stages of development with computer projections of the completed project. Incredibly, there are still higher towers to be built. Inside, the roof rises high above your head, supported by columns designed to look like trees. Some of the stained glass windows in brilliant colours have been installed. The older part of the city is also very beautiful with Gothic ‘La Seu’ cathedral which has lovely old cloisters, with a pond in the middle, which is home to a gaggle of geese.
Here also are several other old churches, a museum of the history of the city and the Plaça del Rei, which has several old palaces around it. The old city has been pedestrianised and it is full of narrow cobbled streets with interesting little shops and hidden away restaurants. It is the ideal place to pick up unusual gifts and individual items of jewellery.
A visit to Barcelona would not be complete without a stroll down 'The Rambla' a wide-tree lined avenue that runs down towards the sea, it is the place where residents go to see and be seen. Different areas of the 'Rambla' are devoted to different things; in one area is a colourful flower market, in another artists display their paintings. Walking down to the sea, you are confronted by a tall column with a statue on top. This is a monument to Christopher Columbus and it is possible to go up in a lift to a viewing platform.
The harbour area has been enhanced with elegant wooden walkways leading to the 'Maremagnum' shopping and leisure complex. From here, it is possible to get a cable car, which travels between the harbour and Montjuic, the site for the 1992 Olympic games. On Montjuic, as well as the Olympic stadium, you can visit the 'Museu Nacional de Arte de Catalunya' which houses a wonderful collection of gothic art. Further down the hill is the 'Poble Espanyol'. This is a mini town, featuring buildings from all corners of Spain, which house all kinds of craftsmen. So, it is possible to see crafts, try food and visit monuments from all over Spain, in just one area. This year, the ‘Forum 2004’ exhibition is taking place in a specially built area of Barcelona near the sea, giving you yet another reason to visit.
Article provided by kind permission of The Leader Newspaper
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From the Costa Blanca there are a variety of ways to travel to Barcelona, by plane, car or bus. For a scenic, relaxing way of travelling, however, you can't beat the train. Trains run regularly from the main station in Alicante via Valencia, Castellon and Tarragona, taking four and a half hours to reach Barcelona. The journey takes you north from Alicante past the Modernist church at Novelda, giving you a taste of what's to come when you reach Barcelona. The train arrives at 'Sants' station in Barcelona, from where it is possible to travel by underground train to all parts of the city. Barcelona is the ideal city for a short break.
Perhaps the most famous of Barcelona's residents is Antonio Gaudi, the architect who has left an indelible stamp on the city, and who was killed by a tram in 1926. High above on a hill overlooking the city is the Parc Güell, an area that was originally intended to be a ‘garden city’ similar to those in England. It was the idea of Don Eusebi Güell i Bacigalupi, a gentlemen who had lots of money and who wished to beautify Barcelona. He chose Gaudi as the architect for the project, but unfortunately after the completion of only three of the planned sixty houses, the project was abandoned. However, the area is now a beautiful park where Gaudi's magical houses peep through the greenery.
The most impressive area is what would have been the town square, supported on 86 columns and featuring a wavy bench all the way around it. A dragon covered with the mosaic designs, which are a hallmark of Gaudi's, guards the entrance. Other Gaudi masterpieces in the city are 'La Pedrera' on the Passeig Gracia, 'Casa Batlló, further down the same street and, of course, the 'Sagrada Familia' cathedral. 'La Pedrera' is an apartment block designed by Gaudi with wrought iron balconies which look like jungle creepers and a façade that looks as if it is carved out of rock. The true magic is not revealed until you get onto the roof where you are faced with the fabulous chimneys, some covered in brightly coloured mosaic, some twisted into weird shapes and some like ancient warriors standing guard. Beneath the roof, in the attics there is an interesting display detailing Gaudi's life and works. It is also possible to visit two of the apartments, one of which is furnished in a style that would have been fashionable when the first residents moved into the building. 'Casa Battló' is a favourite with visitors. It is not possible to go beyond the entrance hall, but the outside of the building is just amazing. The roof is in the shape of a dragon, the balconies are like gold skulls peering down at you and the façade is covered in multi-coloured mosaic. It is a building straight out of a fairytale.
The 'Sagrada Familia' cathedral is absolutely immense. It was begun in 1884 and is still a long way from being finished. It is very interesting to watch the builders going about their work and seeing how the modern façade on one side compares to the older façade on the other side. The strong of heart and stomach can climb right up into the towers and for the less brave, there is a lift that takes you part way up. In the crypt is a museum showing all the different stages of development with computer projections of the completed project. Incredibly, there are still higher towers to be built. Inside, the roof rises high above your head, supported by columns designed to look like trees. Some of the stained glass windows in brilliant colours have been installed. The older part of the city is also very beautiful with Gothic ‘La Seu’ cathedral which has lovely old cloisters, with a pond in the middle, which is home to a gaggle of geese.
Here also are several other old churches, a museum of the history of the city and the Plaça del Rei, which has several old palaces around it. The old city has been pedestrianised and it is full of narrow cobbled streets with interesting little shops and hidden away restaurants. It is the ideal place to pick up unusual gifts and individual items of jewellery.
A visit to Barcelona would not be complete without a stroll down 'The Rambla' a wide-tree lined avenue that runs down towards the sea, it is the place where residents go to see and be seen. Different areas of the 'Rambla' are devoted to different things; in one area is a colourful flower market, in another artists display their paintings. Walking down to the sea, you are confronted by a tall column with a statue on top. This is a monument to Christopher Columbus and it is possible to go up in a lift to a viewing platform.
The harbour area has been enhanced with elegant wooden walkways leading to the 'Maremagnum' shopping and leisure complex. From here, it is possible to get a cable car, which travels between the harbour and Montjuic, the site for the 1992 Olympic games. On Montjuic, as well as the Olympic stadium, you can visit the 'Museu Nacional de Arte de Catalunya' which houses a wonderful collection of gothic art. Further down the hill is the 'Poble Espanyol'. This is a mini town, featuring buildings from all corners of Spain, which house all kinds of craftsmen. So, it is possible to see crafts, try food and visit monuments from all over Spain, in just one area. This year, the ‘Forum 2004’ exhibition is taking place in a specially built area of Barcelona near the sea, giving you yet another reason to visit.
Article provided by kind permission of The Leader Newspaper
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