Barcelona
Whether you head for the beaches or the bars, the cafés or the museums Barcelona is charming as well as cosmopolitan, appealing as well as relaxing.
Situated on the north-east of the Iberian coast , Barcelona is the second largest city in Spain in both size and population. It is also the capital of Catalonia.
No matter what the season, it enjoys a warm climate and pleasant temperatures all year round.
Barcelona is 8 miles north-east of Barcelona's El Prat airport which is easily reached by Taxi, Bus or Train. The Barcelona Airport Train is a service from the city center to the airport taking about 25 minutes.
Barcelona has got 2 different subways: the Metro and FGC a suburban network.
At the bottom of Ramblas, Brocanters del Port Vell - a seafront bric-a-brac and antique market, held below the Columbus monument. Popular with locals.
Antoni Gaudí's (1852 – 1926) unfinished masterpiece, Sagrada Familia, is one of Barcelona's most popular tourist attractions. Construction on this church will continue at least until 2041, but it has already become Barcelona's most important landmark.
In 1992 the Port Vell area was transformed into a yacht basin and entertainment center, opening the city up to the sea. A coastal road was moved underground and a pedestrian street now stretches from the Columbus monument to the neighborhood. The Barcelona World Trade Center is located in Port Vell.
Casa Mila - La Pedrera , another building by Antoni Gaudí was constructed between 1906 and 1910. La Pedrera is an apartment block in the center of Barcelona situated on Passeig de Gracia
The Casa Lleó Morera was built in 1902 by Lluís Domènech i Montaner (1850 - 1923), the architect. and professor and director in the Barcelona School of Architecture. In 1906 it won the Award of Barcelona Municipality. The magnificent house, now privately owned, had some sculptures by Eusebi Arnau. Neglected over the years, in 1992 the building began a process of restoration in order to recuperate some of the lost elements and assure its conservation.
Casa Amatller, was designed by Josep Puig i Cadafalch (1867 - 1956), the Spanish architect, art historian and author.
Casa Batlló is a building designed by Antoni Gaudi and built in years 1905–1907.
The Illa de la Discordia (the turret on the left belongs to the Casa Lleó Morera; the building with the stepped triangular peak is the Casa Amatller; and the curved façade to its right is the Casa Batlló
©2004