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Barcelona

Barcelona Spain Travel & Tours - Things to Do in Barcelona Spain

Barcelona is a vibrant, cosmopolitan city with fine boulevards, squares and parks, impressive buildings, museums, restaurants, and great nightlife. Most of the city’s characteristics are undeniably unique to Barcelona – the architecture of Antoni Gaudi, the narrow winding streets of the old quarter, and the modern cable car that offers spectacular views of the city. Another thing that sets Barcelona apart from the rest of Spain is the Catalan language that is still widely spoken and written in the region. Prepare to discover a lively city full of exceptional landmarks that is a top urban destination among international travelers.

Barcelona Highlights

Route 1: The Historical Center

Even though the Romans settled in Barcelona as early as 15 BC calling it Barcino, it served as little more than a seaport for the Empire’s maritime commerce; its history as the capital of Catalonia didn’t begin until the 9th century. While no structures of that era remain to be seen, a walk through the center of Barcelona provides an insight into much of the city’s history. Many museums, by the way, not singled out in these routes, display collections that illuminate various aspects of this history.

Basilica of Santa Maria del Mar

The ideal place to start this journey through time is with the city’s oldest surviving church, the one dedicated to Saint Mary of the Sea. The original church dedicated to Saint Mary existed on this site in the late 10th century but the present grand cathedral dates from the 14th century, a time when Catalonia thrived as a commercial and maritime center. Compared to the many Gothic cathedrals built throughout Europe at that time, Saint Mary was erected in record time – only 54 years, from 1329 to 1383. Some elements such as the stained glass windows, the main altar, the Chapel of the Blessed Sacrament (off the apse), the west façade, and the northwest tower, date from later on. When approached through the adjacent narrow streets, the church appears to be an austere and not an especially aesthetically pleasing structure, but withhold judgment until you see the interior. Before entering, walk around and examine some of the fine sculptures, such as those of Saint Peter and Saint Paul in the niches by the west door, or the doors of the main entrance, note that the figures stooping over with heavy stones are an unexpected tribute to the workmen who actually built this church. Once inside, the light that pours in through the many glass windows and the sheer brightness of the structure will astonish you. With its three aisles, it is a classic basilica with no transept, and slender octagonal columns – said to be the slenderest stone columns in theworld – that support the ribbed vault at the end of the nave. All in all, the Basilica of Santa Maria del Mar is a unique church that is worth a visit. 

Picasso Museum

At the other extreme of Barcelona’s history of cultural prominence is this ambitious museum devoted to the works of the 20th century’s greatest artist, Pablo Picasso. Although he was originally from Malaga on Spain’s southern coast, he spent most of his formative years – from 1895 to 1905 – in Barcelona and he himself approved of establishing a museum here. The Picasso Museum opened in a medieval mansion in 1963, while donations of major collections from friends and art galleries led to the museum gradually expanding to include four adjacent medieval mansions. With some 4,250 works in all media, including sculpture and ceramics as well as paintings, engravings, drawings, even posters, the diversity of the work displayed is such that no matter what one thinks about modern art, there is something here for everyone to enjoy. Of particular interest are the works of his childhood, where Picasso exhibited his mastery of traditional techniques and styles of painting before moving on to expand the very notion of what constitutes art. Also, although Picasso did not deliberately set out to do so, the range of his materials and subject matter in many ways ended up reflecting the history of Spain.

Mercat de Santa Caterina

Literally meaning The Market of Saint Catherine, the market houses vendors of all sorts of fruits, vegetables, fish, fowl, and meat, however, the word “market” hardly suggests what lies under the spectacular multicolored ceramic roof that undulates over the numerous interior structures. The old 19th century market on this site had been in decline both in its structure and clientele when in 1997 two prominent local architect/developers won a competition to redesign and revive it. It took seven years before the present structure was finished, partly because unknown remains from the Bronze Age and ancient Rome were discovered on the site. These have now been retained for display along with remains of the 15th century St. Catherine’s Dominican Order’s cloisters. As such, visitors are treated to what is virtually a museum of Barcelona’s past alongside the bustling market stalls, tapas bars and restaurants – all sheltered by a truly amazing roof.

Roman Walls

Somewhat more impressive remains from Barcelona’s past are the Roman walls that can be found a few blocks southeast of the Mercat de Santa Caterina. The Romans erected these walls in the 3rd and 4th centuries AD to fend off the Germanic tribes and at their peak included 78 towers. The two most imposing sections are at the southeast side of the Ramon de Berenguer Square – note the column from a Roman temple encased in the wall – and at the northern end of the Carrer del Sots-Tinent Navarro. However, most interesting is the Chapel of Saint Agatha on the Plaça del Rei (the King’s Square), as much of this 14th century chapel was built using stone from the Roman walls.

The Cathedral

Formally the Cathedral of the Holy Cross and Saint Eulalia, the seat of the archbishop of Barcelona is an impressive Gothic church that was erected from the late 13th into the 15th centuries over the remains of earlier churches. The façade that makes it so impressive at first sight was added in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The church was named after Saint Eulalia, a young local virgin who became a martyr for her Christian faith under the Romans; her body is buried in the church’s crypt along with other notables from Barcelona’s past. The church’s roof is renowned for the gargoyles representing both real and imaginary animals, so it’s worth taking the elevator up to the top. The church belongs to the so-called hall style, with a single vault roof over the five aisles and chapels occupying the two outside aisles. Attached to the church is the 15th century cloister that encloses the Well of the Geese, where 13 white geese have always been kept – allegedly because Saint Eulalia was only 13 when she suffered martyrdom.

Plaça Sant Jaume

Plaça Sant Jaume, or Saint James’ Square, occupies the very center of the old Roman city where the main north-south and east-west streets crossed. Located here were the Forum and a Temple of Augustus, while today the square is the site of Barcelona’s City Hall and the Palace of the Generalitat of Catalonia – Catalonia’s own government headquarters. Because of its role in Catalonia’s history, it is sometimes known as Constitution Square and has often been the site of demonstrations over present-day Catalonians’ desire to achieve independence from Spain. The square’s name refers to a church that stood at this location from medieval times until it was demolished in 1823 to allow for the much larger square that exists today. Aside from being a site for political demonstrations, the square is where many Catalonians gather on Sunday mornings to dance the sardana, their national dance, and also where the Castelleras of Barcelona occasionally form the human towers that since the 18th century have been a tradition among Catalonians: level after level of people, mostly men, standing on each other’s shoulders until, eventually, one man reaches the top and can raise one hand.

Ciutat Vella (Old Town)

The walk around the Historical Center ends with the Ciutat Vella (Old Town), a relatively large section of Barcelona that is the city’s most picturesque, atmospheric and distinctive quarter. Even in the strictest historical sense, it is “old” as it is the location of the original Roman Barcino settlement, although it is the many buildings from the 14th and 15th centuries that provide a sense of an “old town.” The buildings and the mazelike narrow streets are often shaded and thus offer relief from Barcelona’s sweltering heat. You will instinctively absorb the history here as you stroll through the quarter – not only by visiting the museums and palaces, but also by simply admiring the façades of the family run stores and boutiques. Countless tapas bars, cafes, and restaurants will provide refreshment and conviviality to this journey through time.

Route 2: La Rambla

One of the most famous streets in the world, La Rambla, offers 1.4 kilometers of sites and sights, and one can spend many hours walking from one end to the other. The name La Rambla comes from a seasonal stream (raml in Arabic) that once ran through here. Today it is primarily a pedestrian walkway with narrow lanes for traffic running down either side; it is packed with people enjoying street performers, artists and musicians, or sampling the offerings of the numerous cafes and restaurants. Along with the diversions of the street scene, La Rambla has several sites and structures that at the very least require some historical background.

Plaça de Catalunya and the Font de Canaletes

At the top of La Rambla is Plaça de Catalunya or “Catalonia Square,” where several of Barcelona’s major streets converge to-and-from the city center. Although originally proposed as a large public space in the mid-19th century, it was not actually developed in its present form until 1929. Now occupying some 50,000 square meters (about 12.4 acres), it is where Barcelonians usually gather to protest against the government in Madrid or to feed the many pigeons. Visitors can ignore the former and enjoy the latter while taking in the many fountains and statues. The most impressive monument is the large stone memorial of Francesc Macia (1859-1933), a Catalonian who tried to make Catalonia independent but settled for serving as the first president of an autonomous Catalonia under the Spanish Republic. As you leave the square to start down La Rambla, be sure to note the rather bizarre lamppost with a fountain at its base, the Font de Canaletes; dating from the 19th century, it is where fans of Barcelona’s best-known football team gather to celebrate victories, although visitors typically prefer to hear the legend that if you drink from this fountain, you will be sure to return to Barcelona.

Teatre Poliorama

Proceeding down the Rambla, the first building of interest is the Teatre Poliorama. It is on the right side after the Carrer del Bonsucces, and is today a venue for many types of theatrical entertainment. It was built in 1894 as the headquarters of the Royal Academy of Sciences and Arts and when that dissolved, the building was converted into a cinema; then during the Spanish Civil War (1936-1939), when the Rambla was the scene of considerable fighting, a communist group was based here. George Orwell, the British author who was reporting on the war, was trapped in this theatre for several days and describes the violence he witnessed in his Homage to Catalonia. Today visitors can enjoy one of the many productions at this historic building.

Iglesia de Betlem

Down the Rambla from the Teatre Poliorama is Bethlehem Church dedicated to the Holy Family that is depicted in a relief sculpture. Built in Baroque style during the late 17th early 18th centuries, it was long regarded as the finest of the several churches that once lined the Rambla. Unfortunately a lot of its ornate interior was destroyed by fire during the Spanish Civil War.

Palau de la Virreina

Just down from Bethlehem Church is the unmistakable Palace of Virreina, a grand mansion in the Baroque/Rococo style. It was built between the years 1772 and 1776 for Manuel de Amat y Junyent, who had returned to Spain after serving as the Viceroy of Peru; the name “Virreina” was his coinage to honor his wife, the “vice-reine” or vice-queen. It has long served as the headquarters of the city’s Cultural Commission and is now the Image Center featuring displays of photography and other types of visual arts.

Mercat de Sant Josep de la Boqueria

Its entryway is located practically adjacent to the Palau de la Virreina, this market is an appendage of La Rambla. It is so large and so full of fresh fruits and vegetables, fish and meats, edibles of all kinds, and various other wares, that it can effectively be an independent destination – just ask for La Boqueria (pronounced bu-ké-ria). Open-air markets existed on this site since the 15th century, but it was not until 1840 that construction of an enclosure began. The original building was modified over the years and the metal roof dates from 1914. The name “St. Joseph” reflects the fact that the market is on the site where a Convent of St. Joseph was once located. As for “Boqueria,” it is a word that does not exist in Catalan and there is no official explanation for its origin, although it appears to refer to some type of market. Step into the Boqueria and prepare to be overwhelmed by its plenitude.

Gran Teatre del Liceu

This aptly named “Grand Theater of Liceu,” is Barcelona’s opera house, built in 1845-1847 on the site of a former convent. Unlike other such venues in Spain of that era, it was not paid for by the monarchy but by public subscription. When it opened, its 3,500 seats made it the largest opera house in Europe. A major fire in 1861 left only the façade, entrance hall and foyer intact so the auditorium and stage were rebuilt. Under the Spanish Republic of the 1930’s the theater was nationalized; it was returned to its private owners in 1939, but financial difficulties led to the need for support from the governments of Barcelona and Catal