Barcelona
City, which everyone loves. There is almost no man, who does not want to go to Barcelona, or he may have gone and not been impressed by it. The Catalan capital is one of the liveliest cities in Europe, combining the temperament and warmth of the Mediterranean, modern European appearance and centuries of history, which stores. Not many cities, in which the biggest attractions are an unfinished cathedral with unique architecture and a stadium and regardless of their interests, most tourists do not miss to visit both. Barcelona overflows with life at any time of the year and if you want to visit a place, from which you will return with a smile, it is one of the safest destinations.
One of the most unusual Christian churches in Europe (and not only), which needs no introduction. The Sagrada Familia Basilica is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is known all over the world not only for its unique architecture, work of Anthony Gaudi, and with that, that is already being built over 100 years and has not yet been completed.
Through 1883 r. the architect Antoni Gaudi was hired to design the basilica as a neo-Gothic church. But instead of sticking to the plans, so he weaves his own surreal style into a unique project. In fact, Gaudi did not follow a pre-arranged project, and he liked to make changes in movement and add touches during construction. Gaudi's initial expectations were for the building to be completed 10 to 15 years, but construction continues to this day. Current expectations are that the construction will be completed by 2026 g., when the 100th anniversary of Gaudi's death will be celebrated. The final completion of the entire decoration will take years to come.
Do you approach the Sagrada Familia, you will feel dizzy in the most literal sense, which you can imagine. Not only because of the towers piercing the sky and the air, but mostly because of the rich decoration, which enchants on all sides. On the stone facade you will see scenes from the Nativity, The passions of Christ, suffering, death and resurrection. The interior of the church, long 90 meters and high 60 meters, and the ceiling shines with exquisite decorative details. Colored windows create divine light inside. Everywhere you look, you will feel like in another world. Gaudi himself described his work as “a work, which is in the hands of God and the will of men. ". It is a curious fact, that the highest tower of the church should be around 171 m. Intentionally, its height is less than the height of Montjuic Hill in Barcelona, because Gaudi said and believed, that his creation cannot and should not overshadow God's.
Above 2000 The Gothic Quarter has been the spiritual and secular heart of Barcelona for years. There you can see the remains of Roman buildings, and the main part of the neighborhood has a medieval appearance. The cathedral plays a central role in it, in which Christopher Columbus was received after his first voyage to the New World. The cathedral is named after Saint Eulalia, but is known as La Seu. It is located on the highest point in the medieval quarter and is the seat of the Archbishop of Barcelona.
The Gothic Quarter is a magical place, with its cobbled streets, on which the traffic is only pedestrian. Walking, you will enjoy quiet sheltered playgrounds, where the sound is only from the conversations and laughter of locals and tourists, and from some corner - on the guitar of the street musicians. You will see children chasing and playing football in the streets, and cozy cafes are an attraction for romantics. For a cultural touch to the experience, visit the Picasso Museum and Plaza del Rey.
One of the most picturesque parks in the world is Guell Park in Barcelona, again the work of the architect Antonio Gaudi. It was originally designed as a residential complex with single-family homes, surrounded by a beautiful park, but the project turned out to be ahead of its time in the early twentieth century. Thus, only two of the houses were built, in one of which Gaudi himself lived, and later the property was nationalized and turned into a public park.
But Guell Park is far more than just a park. It is a fairy tale in broad daylight. With its exquisite buildings, towers, mosaics and bizarre architectural elements, it deservedly finds a place on the UNESCO World Heritage List, along with other works by Gaudi.
If you are captivated by Gaudi's masterpieces, a must-see is La Pedrera (Casa Mila). This is not just one of Gaudi's brilliant buildings, and the place, where you can really immerse yourself in the world of Gaudi, to see and understand his inspiration and imagination. The exposition is located on five floors with a total area of 4500 sq.m. You will witness the remarkable stone facade, on the magical terrace of the covers, which reveals a 360-degree view of Barcelona, per apartment, recreating the life of a local bourgeois family from the beginning of the last century. The courtyards of the building recreate wildlife, there is a similar reference from the attic, which with its arches resembles a skeleton of a whale.
Another of Gaudi's most famous works is Casa Batillo, in which everyone finds different symbolism. For some, the rounded balconies look like human skulls, for others, the exquisite façade is a symbol of marine life.
Guell Palace is also a place, which you can't miss in Barcelona, if you have decided to tour Gaudi's masterpieces. Its construction was commissioned again by the industrialist Eusebi Guell - a friend of Gaudi and an investor in many of his works.. Guell wanted to show his love of art with this building in the central part of the city. Today the building is a museum and you can visit it, is located at the beginning of Blvd.. Rambla.
The Ramblas is the heart of social life in Barcelona. The wide street divides the Old Town into two parts and stretches from Plaza Catalunya to the port.. With its wide pedestrian alleys and numerous shops, cafes and restaurants, this is definitely the most popular place to walk in the city.
Other place, where life in Barcelona boils, is the coastal area of Barceloneta. Former fishing area, today the neighborhood is a lively place with fish restaurants, cafes and a beautiful beach.
Barcelona is a real paradise for lovers of art and architecture. The Palace of Catalan Music was built in the first decade of the XX century. and is the work of architects Luis Domenech and Montaner. In the building you can find various architectural elements and decorations and quite deservedly it is part of the UNESCO World Heritage. You can book a guided tour, to get to know the history and details of the beautiful building up close. Of course, It is always a good idea to visit a concert.
It can be paradoxical, but the Camp Nou is one of the two most recognizable landmarks in Barcelona. And although it is the last in this article, the stadium holds one of the first places in attendance by tourists. The legendary stadium of the football club "Barcelona" is the second largest in the world and can accommodate 99 354 souls. Of course, the best way to visit it is by going to a match, but you can also take a sightseeing tour and visit the museum.
Barcelona's Mediterranean climate makes the place comfortable to visit almost all year round, as winters are mild and snow is rare. However, Rains are not uncommon and can overshadow your vacation. The most pleasant months in terms of climate are May, June and September. In July and August, the heat can definitely torment you, and the crowds of tourists, which are traditionally the largest during these two months. If you are tempted to visit in March-April and overtake the summer traffic, keep one thing in mind for heavy rainfall.
This article was written with the assistance of BulTravel and Agent Express EOOD.
Author : Ivan Rashkov
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