Author: Emil Netzov

Diverse, dynamic, modern, stylish, fascinating and fun: the capital of Catalonia and Spain’s second largest city on the northeastern coast of the Iberian Peninsula is essentially Mediterranean in its history, tradition and cultural influences.

It is the unique blend of spectacular industrial growth, beautifully preserved Gothic and Neoclassical heritage, and thesplendor of modernism that make Barcelona really irresistible. It is a fascinating experience to discover the many aspects ofthis thriving, bustling, multi-faceted city.

Barri Gotic, the  remarkably intact Gothic nucleus of old Barcelona, is a maze of winding streets and small squares packed with cafes and bars. Its heart is the Square of St. Jaume, the site of a busy market. The traditional Catalonian dance sardana is performed in thesquare on Sundays. The Cathedral of Santa Eulalia (or simply the Seu) is a magnificent Gothic building dedicated to a 13-year-old martyr, co-patron of Barcelona.

Thirteen white geese are kept is  a secluded corner of the cathedral. Barcelona’s most famous and liveliest boulevard, the tile-covered, tree-lined La Ramblastretches all the way to the harbour and the lofty monument to Columbus (Colom). It is a popular place for sightseeing, eating and shopping, punctuated by places of interest such as thesumptuous Rococo mansion Palau de la Virreina, the famous market Mercat de la Boqueira, the Mosaic de Miro (with one tile signedby the artist), the opera house and the Erotic Museum.

Modernist architecture in Barcelona is marked by the works of one of the most outstanding 20th-century architects, AntoniGaudi. The most prominent of his creations include the Park Guell, a garden complex on a hill remarkable for its curving lines and beautiful mosaics, the Palau Guell with its parabolic arches, intricate forged iron decoration and original receiving room design, La Pedrera (Casa Mila), a building without a single straight line, more of a sculpture than a work of architecture,with an astonishing sculptured roof, and, of course, the Sagrada Familia, the unfinished shell of a church, something out of this world, particularly when lit up at night.

Palau de la Musica Catalana (the Palace of Catalan Music) is another brilliant  example of Modernist architecture in Barcelona and a UNESCO World Heritage site. The concert hall designed by Lluis Domenechi Montaner was inaugurated in 1908. Its stage is apse-shaped, a grand central skylight adds to the effect of the stained-glasswindows, its façade features colourful mosaic decorations and alarge sculpture of Catalan Popular Song.

The Picasso Museum is one of the most popular museums in Spain, housing an extensive collection of works by the celebrated 20th-century artist. The permanent collection of about 3500 works reveals Picasso’s special affinity for Barcelona. The cityalso boasts the second largest Aquarium in Europe, home to thousands of fishes, penguins and sharks. It claims to be the richest on the subject of Mediterranean marine life. In the Oceanarium, visitors can walk along a methacryllate tunnel andwatch the fishes swim around.

Montjuic Mountain overlooks the city and the harbour from the southwest. It is crowned by an 18th-century fortress, and ishome to the venues of the Olympic games in 1992 and several fine art galleries. The Palau Nacional nearby houses the NationalMuseum of Catalonian Art, adorned by terraced fountains where a lights and music show is performed on summer evenings. To the northwest of Montjuic is the “Spanish Village” containing copies of buildings from different regions of Spain.

it is a great place to attend an authentic flamenco show in a tablao. The Joan Miro Gallery showcases the works of the best known Catalonian artist of the 20th century. Tibidabo is another hill offering a magnificent view of the city. It contains an amusement park anda hair-raising glass elevator going 115 metres up to an observation area at the telecommunications tower.