Its early city centre, which was surrounded by walls during Roman times, makes up what today is the Gothic Quarter. Narrow streets, with quiet squares and attractive corners, are home to an abundant collection of Gothic buildings, both civil and religious. Surrounding Barcelona’s impressive Cathedral, medieval palaces emerge, such as Casa dels Canonges, La Pia Almoina, and Casa d´Ardiaca. The Plaça del Rei brings together another labyrinth of marvellous buildings, such as the Palau Reial Mayor, the Chapel of Santa Ágata, and the City History Museum. The Plaça Sant Jaume holds the Palau de la Generalitat (headquarters of the Catalan government) and the City Hall, or Casa de la Ciutat. We must not forget the church of La Mercè, patron saint of Barcelona.
Next to the Gothic Quarter, the Ribera district, also of Medieval origin, begins. In its origins, it brought together traders and seagoing people, but with the passage of time many magnificent, small palaces were built as well. Some of them have been converted to house important city museums. Examples of this are the Palace of the Marquises of Llió, (Museum of Clothing and Textiles) the Palau Nadal (Barbier-Müller Museum of pre-Columbian Art), and the Palau Aguilar (nowadays the Picasso Museum), to name just a few. Because of Barcelona’s focus on integration, it is possible to travel in time in a matter of a few metres, from the Gothic structures of the church of Santa María del Mar, to the modernist Palau de la Música Catalana, a concert hall.
The urban development of the central area of Barcelona was defined, towards the end of the 19th century, by the Eixample (urban expansion). An extensive grid, with large avenues and chamfered corners, joined the irregular layouts of old districts and outlying towns to the surrounding hills. The emerging Catalonian bourgeoisie chose this place to build its mansions and palaces, following the most daring principles of Modernism. Architects such as Gaudí, Doménech i Montaner or Puig i Cadafalch relied on the help of master craftsmen to fill the streets of Barcelona with fantasy. Works by Gaudí, such as Park Güell, the Palau Güell, and Casa Milà “La Pedrera”, as well as Doménech i Montaner’s Palau de la Música Catalana, and the Sant Pau Hospital have been declared World Heritage Sites by UNESCO. The temple of the Sagrada Familia (the Holy Family), and houses such as Casa Lleó Morera, Casa Amatller, and Casa Batlló are just a few of the many modernist gems treasured by the city.
One of the main arteries of the historic quarter, La Rambla, leads to the Mediterranean Sea, and it is one of the best places to catch the rhythm of the city. The visitor is led through its different sections, from the Romanesque church of Santa Anna, to the bird and flower stalls, passing gorgeous examples of Baroque and Renaissance architecture on the way. The Palau Moja, the church of Betlem and the Santa Creu Hospital serve as guides. There are other centres of cultural activity and daily life in this area, such as the Palau de la Virreina, (now a gallery), the Boquería Market and the Liceu Opera House.
Barcelona overlooks the sea, and it has a waterfront that encompasses many different artistic styles. Les Drassanes, formerly a dockyard and now home to the Maritime Museum, and the Llotja del Mar are part of the medieval port facilities. Arcaded houses lead to the Ciutadella Park, the Olympic Village and the Port Olímpic. Beaches, piers and an impressive array of museums and leisure centres (such as the Aquarium, the 3D IMAX Theatre, the Colon viewing point, etc.) make Barcelona’s seaport a cosmopolitan place, full of life.
Some of these modern facilities are the inheritance from the 1992 Olympics. Their mark can also be seen on the hill at Montjuïc, beside the monumental work from the 1929 World Exhibition. The castle of Montjuïc, (now the Army Museum) takes over this symbolic hill, where true gems of Barcelona’s architecture can be found. The Plaça d’Espanya, the Magic Fountain, the Palau Nacional (with the medieval collection of the Catalan National Museum of Art - MNAC) and the Olympic Ring are a few of its most important works. The Olympic Stadium, the Calatrava Tower, the Sant Jordi Sports Centre and the INEFC (Catalonia National Institute of Physical Education) Pavilion, built by Ricardo Bofill, rise among gorgeous gardens.
Barcelona’s culture is not only evident in its buildings, parks and outdoor sculptures, but also in its countless museum collections. Artists of the stature of Picasso, Miró, Tàpies or Gaudí, have museums entirely devoted to collect their works. Artistic pieces from all periods are kept in the city’s History Museum, the Museum of the History of Catalonia, the Museum of Modern Art and the Museum of Contemporary Art. Many other institutions also bring the avant-garde movement to the eyes of the general public, through permanent and temporary collections. Sometimes the container is as important as the contents it preserves, and, in the case of buildings and museums, this is true of the collections found in the beautiful structures that the Barcelona Centre for Contemporary Culture (CCCB) and Caixa Forum. The museums of Barcelona, however, cover a wider variety of subjects; namely: archaeology, zoology, science, ethnology, pre-Colombian art and more. A large number of exhibition halls round off this rich and diverse cultural selection.
Barcelona’s City Council has created the Barcelona Card especially for visitors; it is valid for 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 days. Its main attractions are free transport and great discounts on entertainment, museums, and even restaurants. The visitor can also get an Articket, which is a multi-pass allowing entry to the MNAC, the MACBA (Barcelona Contemporary Art Museum, built by architect Richard Meier), the Joan Miró Foundation, the Antoni Tàpies Foundation, the CCCB, and Caixa Catalunya Cultural Centre, located in “La Pedrera”, all at a discounted price.
Compártelo!
Güell Park , designed by Antoni Gaudí, is the setting for the architect’s house-museum. Francesc Berenguer, a pupil of his, was commissioned with designing this building where Gaudí lived for twenty years.