The Rich History Of Barcelona
The rich history of Barcelona has always been open to outside influences due to its coastal location and proximity to France. Its history ranges from archaeological finds of the past to contemporary masterpieces, through the Gothic, the base of the modem, and the Catalan art nouveau. It is also the home to several museums displaying the works of famous painters of the twentieth century, including Miro, Picasso and Tapies.
The cultural life is alive and dynamic, with shows in the Gran Teatre del Liceu and concerts in the Auditorium Rafael Moneo. Barcelona is the main travel destination in Spain, and it can be visited with guided tours in one day. However, to get to know the city, travel packages are recommended for 3 or 7 days. The city tour usually starts from the Barri Gotic, or Gothic Quarter, the center of old Barcelona. In this area the buildings, the Cathedral of Barcelona, a magnificent building of the fourteenth century, and the elegant shops show the visitors the Catalan artistic splendor.
The port area was completely rehabilitated in the ’90s; today it is a place of culture and Mediterranean fare. The old port is dominated by the huge statue of Christopher Columbus raised on a column of 60 m. The main street of this area, Las Ramblas, is the most famous street in Spain, busy at all hours of day and night. South of Las Ramblas is a modern new district, Raval, home of the Museum of Contemporary Art.
To the north, La Ribera and El Born testify to the rich history of the city, while to the west, the Eixample district is home to most of the monument’s Nuveau art, such as La Sagrada Familia. Capolaovoro, still unfinished, and Casa Mila, have avant-garde works of the famous architect Antoni Gaudi. Barcelona has more Art Nouveau buildings than any city in the world.
The imposing castle of Montjuic built in the seventeenth century and located on top of the homonymous hill, offer panoramic views of the city and harbor. The Palau Nacional now houses the Museu Nacional d’Art de Catalunya, with an extraordinary collection of medieval art. Visitors to the city will enjoy a little ‘relaxation in the Parc de la Ciutadella, where green gardens offer opportunities for walking, but also to make a boat trip on the lake or visit the zoo and the nearby natural history museum. The city was also the protagonist of the famous Woody Allen’s film, Vicky-Christina-Barcelona.