barcelona overview
Barcelona is the city in Spain and is one of the most popular tourism destinations in Europe. The cultural offerings of the city draw visitors from all over the world. Barcelona is renowned for its contemporary architecture. The architecture of Barcelona is one of its kinds and is really a beauty to behold. There are over 45 famous museums in Barcelona. The works of architecture by famous architect Antonio Gaudi is one of the biggest attractions in Barcelona. Apart from the architecture there are several spectacular beaches. You can come to these beaches and bask under the sunshine enjoying the sight of the tides lashing on the sea shore. You can feel the magnanimity of the sea sitting on the beaches.
There are many museums at Barcelona whose contents are from the most ancient periods. A visit to the City History Museum that is housed in a medieval building will tell you the history of the city. There is a Roman ruin in the basement of the city that is really interesting. It also comprises the Museum-Monastery of Pedralbes, one of the best examples of Catalan Gothic architecture. The Museum-House Verdaguer is dedicated to the poet Jacint Verdaguer. The Museum on the History of Catalonia was opened in 1996. A visit to this museum will tell you the story of Catalonia since prehistoric times. The Barcelona Museum of Contemporary Art, more widely known as MACBA gives an insight on post-1945 Catalan and Spanish art. It also includes foreign works. The works of Joan Miro are found in the museum of the Fundacio Joan Miro, along with the guest exhibitions from other museums around the world. The Picasso Museum features early works by Pablo Picasso and his “Las meninas” series. The Fundació Antoni Tà pies holds a collection of Tà pies works.
Here are the top five famous tourist attractions in Barcelona, Spain:
La Sagrada Familia by Antonio Gaudi:
A Giant Temple designed by the master architect Antonio Gaudi. This building has been under construction since 1882 and they’ve still got another 30 to 80 years (depending on funding and resources) to go before it will be finished.
Much controversy surrounds the building of the Sagrada Familia. Today new construction materials are being used which, some feel, Gaudi himself would not have used.
When you visit the building you will see the contrast in the stone colour between the front and back of the building. Also the actual style of construction appears somewhat different between the new and old parts of the building.
Website: www.sagradafamilia.org
L’ Aquarium de Barcelona
The largest aquarium in Europe, it contains 21 glass tanks positioned along either side of a wide, curving corridor. Each tank depicts a different marine habitat, with emphasis on everything from multicolored fish and corals to seagoing worms to sharks. The highlight is a huge “oceanarium” representative of the Mediterranean as a self-sustaining ecosystem. You view it from the inside of a glass-roofed, glass-sided tunnel that runs along its entire length, making fish, eels, and sharks appear to swim around you.
Website: www.aquariumbcn.com
Poble Espanyol de Montjuic or The Spanish Village
Poble Espanyol was created to give vistiors an overview of all of the different people of Spain. This Spanish village contains representations of all of the cultures, lifestyles and craftmanship of Spain. It is a charming town and the craft stores are unique and diverse. Guided tours are offered. It would be better to book the tour in advance because you will get a one hour tour rather than a 1/2 hour tour for the same price if you book at the door. While you’re there, take a walk across the street from the entrance and enjoy the beautiful view that overlooks Barcelona.
Website: www.poble-espanyol.com
La Pedrera – Casa Mila
Another building designed by Antonio Gaudi. The building is definitely without a straight line. It looks really magnificent and overwhelming some say it is like waves of lava or a sand-dune. Everything breaks our understanding of conventional architecture. The most astonishing is the roof with lunar appearance and dreamlike landscape. The building is again a more of a sculpture than a regular building. Critics might remark on its detachment from usefullness. This is ART, not blocks of flats, for Christ’s sake.
This house was amazing. It was inspired by the mountains surrounding Montserrat and the apartments themselves resemble cave dwellings. when you go up onto roof you can see the Sagrada Familia in the distance. Wait a bit and photograph the Sagrada Famila framed by one of the arches on the roof.
Barcelona Zoo
The great zoo of Barcelona was founded in 1892 and remains as popluar as ever. Its most famous resident is the only albino gorilla in captivity. Other highlights at the zoo include dolphin shows and and killer whale show. The adventure playground seems like a great place for kids.
Website: www.zoobarcelona.com
References:
Barcelona Tourist Guide
Barcelona Travel Guide
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