THE RAMBLA AND THE MARINE FACADE
The Rambla is possibly the most well known avenue and represents a
typical postcard of the city.
A place for public and sport celebrations, the Rambla is a
boulevard that starts in Plaça Catalunya (Barcelona’s commercial
area) and ends in the Port, offering a multicoloured picture of
people enjoying a walk, kiosks selling flowers and birds, live
statues, artists, musicians, painters and atmosphere.
One of the symbols of the Rambla is the Fountain of Canaletes.
Tradition says that visitors who drink from this source will
return to Barcelona.
It is worth to stop for a moment and visit the Church of Betlem
and the Palau de la Virreina, with permanent exhibitions of
interest.
 A
visit to the Market of la Boqueria is advisable to enjoy an
incredible contrast between colours and activity, ideal to
discover why Mediterranean cuisine is internationally known due to
its ingredients.
Walking down the avenue, in direction to the sea, we find the
Plà de la Boqueria. Its pavement is decorated with a mosaic of
Joan Miró. Very near is the Gran Teatre del Liceu (the Opera House),
recently reconstructed after a devastating fire in 1994.
To the right, in Nou de la Rambla Street, the Palau Güell can
be seen, a beautiful palace of recommended visit where you will be
able to appreciate all the creative capacity of Antoni Gaudí.
Crossing the Rambla we find the Plaça Reial, an interesting
porticoed square ideal to relax and enjoy a coffee in on of the
many cafés.
The Rambla ends in the port, dominated by the Columbus Monument,
built in 1888 and accessible to the public.
One of the major transformations of contemporary Barcelona is
the marine facade and the Port Vell. In less than ten years,
Barcelona, that lived with its back to the sea, has discovered new
areas, transforming old dockyards and warehouses into very popular
walking areas full of restaurants, ideal to stop off and have
lunch in an open and sunny terrace, enjoying a pleasant view of
the port.
Another new leisure area created for the 1992 Olympiads and
connected to the Passeig Colón, is the complex of Maremagnum,
where the Aquarium, the IMAX, cinemas, restaurants of all type and
fashionable night clubs are located.
Very near are the Drassanes (Royal shipyards). Their
construction began during Pedro the great reign, becoming the
largest ship construction area of the middle Ages, in which up to
30 ships could be built simultaneously.
At present, this complex accommodates the Marine Museum, of
great interest.
CIUTAT VELLA, CALL AND THE GOTHIC AREA
Is the heart of two thousand years of history,
characterized by narrow streets
and hidden corners. Gothic and Jewish Quarter (Call) become an interesting visit to
understand the past and present of Barcelona.
A good place to begin is the Cathedral. Commenced in the XIII
century, its construction continued intermittently during the
following six hundred years. It is advisable to visit this temple
and its multiple chapels together with the cloister, one of the
most beautiful places in Barcelona.
 Near
the Cathedral, we find several Gothic buildings worth a visit,
such as Degà and L´Ardiaca Houses which has a beautiful patio and
an added mailbox designed by Doménech i Montaner, one of the most
remarkable architects of Modernism art contemporary of Gaudí.
The Plaça del Rei is one of the noblest areas of the old
Barcelona, in which the Museum of History is located, with Roman
ruins in the underground belonging to Emperor Augustus’s time.
Also we recommend a visit to the Saló del Tinell, the Capella of
Santa Águeda, the Palau Lloctinent and the Mirador del Rei Martí
which offers an excellent panoramic view of the Gothic quarter.
In Sant Jaume Square we find the Ajuntament (City council) and the
Palau de la Generalitat. The narrow streets around this square,
with small and hidden shops invite one to walk.
Not far, near Ví a
Laietana street, the neighbourhood of la Ribera is situated, with
the interesting Montcada street and especially the Picasso Museum.
From the XIII to the XVIII centuries, this was a residential
area for the prosperous families of merchants and ship
constructors.
At the end of Montcada Street, we find the beautiful temple of
Santa María del Mar, an example of pure Gothic architec ture.
Situated in the higher part of Vía Laietana is the Palau de la
Musica Catalana (Concert Hall), a masterpiece of Doménech i
Montaner and symbol of Catalan Modernism, is a perfect combination
of brickwork, multicoloured glass, ceramic, detailed figures and
beautiful ornamentation.
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