Mini-Guide to Barcelona, \u200b\u200bmodern capitalism. If this is vandalism
(photo: Overview of External House Battle) Index Guide:
1 - Introduction
2 - 3
Barcelona - Gaudi and modernism
4 - Beyond Modernism
5 - Eat and stay
6 - Transportation
7 - Other
8 - Suggestion: 3 links
INTRODUCTION
When I booked my trip to Barcelona, \u200b\u200bI did not know what they were facing. Let's say it was a stopgap, two nights spent sleeping in the stations in London were too many and a flight to Paris was not good, then? But Barcelona? Here, it happened more or less like this. If
I had given to the stories of those who had been there, maybe I made a hole in the water. Yes, there are more travelers than once: in fact I doto always a good guide book. In general, the stories come talk about Lloret del Mar (say "I go to Barcelona because of the airport of destination), Sagrada Familia, the night life and little else. Possible that one of the largest European cities, the name and number of tourists, offering only this? Unfortunately, few are used to obtain a guide and find the place they go on vacation. Just two weeks before leaving, while making a run, I meet a friend of mine who told me: "Ah, go to Barcelona? But you know, apart from the Sagrada Familia - which is nice - there's plenty to see. "Why did he say this? Of course, if you want to make the comparison with Rome (serious defect, especially the Capitoline, which tend to compare and to find out) there little, but knowing the type I think it's the only holiday that usually went there to attend some party-based sangria and went to see the Sagrada Familia to be able to tell. "Oh that, you went to Barcelona and did not see La Sagrada Familia? "
BARCELONA Barcelona is the largest city in Catalonia, north-east region of Spain, bordering with France. With 1.5 million people and 3.50 million tourists per year, Barcelona is certainly one of the more noisy and vital centers of Europe. And it is precisely in Europe that often looked Barcelona for their trade, for its culture, the search for his identity. Important economic center can safely say that Barcelona is a European city, the most European of Spain. I wonder whether it is more for the geographic location or simply be a reaction to the painful rivalry with Madrid and the request, never satisfied, a complete and total self-government. A vaguely discontented the Lega ours, but with less excess. But Barcelona, \u200b\u200beternal second he has not lost in the governmental hierarchy of mind and was able to find its identity, its own particular made arts, dynamism, modernity and an important role in trade with Europe.
changed hands several times-first Roman province, then temporary accommodation of the Visigoths, Christians, and finally destroyed by Berbers and Arabs - this city has undergone many influences and has developed a certain chameleon-like ability to adapt culturally. External pressures and influences that are traceable and marveled at the National Art Museum of Catalonia. There are also Roman remains, but I do not think that it is of such vital interest to see the stir Roman columns of the temple dedicated to Caesar Augustus. Do not waste time. There's more: from Gothic to Modernism, and its games from the Gothic quarter (leaving modernism as icing). Walking through the streets of Barri Gotic, including statues spectral, demonic and suffering that stick out on the street. The two major examples of Catalan Gothic can be found in the Catedral de la Santa Creu I Santa Eulalia, and the even more extraordinary EGLESIA DE SANTA MARIA DEL MAR la Ribera, with its huge arches s'innanzalo up to 15 meters without reinforcement.
GAUDI and the modern.
If there is something on which Barcelona is different and that's really worth going to see, is the architecture modernitsta. One sees and feels now that the city where you're walking through a city is devoted to continuous renewal, a search of that new, stronger push has been able to orient the creative genius of the architect Antoni Gaudi, makes it appear as a "lustful" modern center, full of shapes, colors and modern sculptures. From the top you can see that the map of the city is geometrically perfect, perfectly upright divided by lines that intersect each other, because almost all roads are parallel. The modernist period lasted about thirty years: the last 800 years up to 20 years. Modernism (art nouveau) aimed to imitate nature, architecture, painting and fine arts. Examples of modernist architecture can be traced back a bit 'anywhere if you look closely. It is certainly not the inconspicuous Hospital de la Santa Creu, place dream where to book a shelter, and the stunning Palau de la Musica Catalana, a real gem of columns decorated with ceramic mosaics and rich ornaments. An explosion of decorations that certainly leaves the viewer with stucco, although the narrow streets do not allow the visitor a broad overview of the building. Then entering, your senses will fall easily into orgy. Built between 1905 and 1908 by Lluis Domenech i Montaner, this building is worth a visit. And if you can and want, you could also attend one of the many shows that are held here (the ticket costs about 40 €!).
Modernism was made possible mostly by the kindly generosity of the wealthy families who put Barcelona hands in their pockets and fund projects. I know this Gaudi best but not the only member of the Catalan modernism, whose whole life was accompanied by Guell wealthy industrialist who financed many of its projects. Gaudi, who used to say "there are no straight lines in nature" tried to carry the monteplicità, harmony and form of its natural beauty inside the buildings we design. The results are absolutely phantasmagorical buildings with corrugated walls, ceilings, spiral rings that seem to shark teeth, sinuous columns like tree trunks. His greatest works are La Pedrera, Palau Guell, Parc Guell overtime as well as the unparalleled BATTLE HOUSE, where his boldness in combining forms and architecture reached its maximum level. The house, which has as its inspiration connoisseurs say the sea is winding, full of shapes and lights, air intakes reminiscent of fish scales, and richly decorated with mosaics made from recycled materials such as ceramics and bottle bottoms. An amazing building and out of the ordinary, lively, almost seems to breathe; revenue, get penetrated by his flock and do not hold in awe. The house is still owned by private individuals to keep it in its original beauty they charge an entrance of € 17.80, providing each visitor with a radar in their own language. Let me also a sign of your passage in this book in one of salt.
Even the Sagrada Familia, a real symbol of Barcelona, \u200b\u200bwas the work of Gaudi. Gaudi took the direction of work in 1882 and devoted the last years of his life to this work. Unfortunately in 1926, when only a quarter of the work was completed, Gaudi was hit by a tram and died. Thus, the Sagrada Familia is still a work in progress, due to delays and lack of funding, is in fact the skeleton of an imposing neo-gothic monster in search of their own dignity. The interior is virtually empty, but out of the metro and be in front of the towers shiver.
Throughout the city you can see the influence of modernist buildings, water fountains and light (area Montjuic) and sculptures pop part (along the sea) can be found walking in the city.
AFTER MODERNISM
Barcelona was also home to other great artists like Joan Miro, whose advice to visit the foundation that bears his name and I can say one of the best steps to be here in Barcelona! In addition to the works of Miro, there are other contemporary works. Even Picasso, though born in Malaga, he spent most of his life before moving to Barcelona in Paris. Walking through the old town you can also find your way a lot of shops and sites devoted to creating sculptures. No guide will tell you to do so, as the search for intimate places in the heart of city \u200b\u200bis the work of viaggiotore curious. But I advise you to take a look at Galeria Maxo '. Actually I did not know who he was, and still do not know, but the gallery is free and open to the public. Inside, in addition to works exhibited and sold without reinventing the diversity of materials such as cork, there's a bunch of guys who almost was ignoring your presence, continues to paint, sculpt and create. (Www.maxorennella.com)
Other places to visit are the Parc de La Ciutadella, the green heart of Barcelona, \u200b\u200bwhere you can lie in the shade on a lawn or a ride in the boat rowing in a pond, palm trees and turtles Ducks in search of crumbs. Do not discount a visit TO THE MUSEUM OF CONTEMPORARY ART (www.macb.es) and, but this only provides an excellent view over the city and the sea, the Castle of Montjuic, reached by cable car, this, however, only offers a panoramic view over the military museum. If you want a museum out of town go to the Museum of Eroticism, which displays a collection of sculptures and paintings that revolve around Eros: hot! One of the biggest attractions is the large aquarium which has a huge variety of fish. But perhaps if you have a sensitive heart, I cry to see a large predator like the shark thrust without repeating the exact same lap, with the same, empty and download speed. Fish apathetic and without vital energy pull out thrilling the result of blind people in the narrow spaces while the large aquarium. If you have children to follow but will be happy to visit you. Walking
also on La Rambla, although crowded street filled with shops and certainly not original. La Rambla is a long road, starting from Plaza de Catalunya down to the sea, where a statue of Columbus in the Americas indicates the cry of "Land." On either side of narrow streets feeding into the Barcelona local, traditional and intimate where you will find pleasant surprises and quirky shops. You may also be able to find signs of the massive migration happening in the black neighborhood, where stylists do hair color to their countrymen while others allow themselves to go to an impromptu rap tune. The Ramba is littered with fast food stores and major international brands, but the way is also a real pleasure thanks to the many playful street artists who are its banks to their place of work. A truly fun and colorful!
EAT AND STAY
My advice is to find an apartment. This is a tip that I give you a simple filosogia my travel is to have a kitchen available to not spend a fortune eating out (and not having to work to return to the liver). And believe me if you're not careful about how you move risked taking blows for a nice snack! Why choose an apartment with kitchen. It is hard to find hostels with Self-Catering but the rooms are easily shared apartments (we have chosen a double room € 25 per person. Hostelsword.com Inn on Market Search BNI). Virtually every area has a large market of fruit and vegetables are not the usual markets, which are used to seeing, but the real metropolis of fruits and vegetables, noisy and colorful. In addition, all of Barcelona there are many furnaces that sell bread and cakes very good at all hours. For lunch I recommend stuffed by you (for veg vegetables, jamon serrano for carnivores) taking a baguette in the oven. A sandwich DIY, at least for lunch is a good solution, unless you want to spend 20 € in a bocadilleria! (A true legalized theft!). Otherwise, again for lunch, you can choose a path not just desirable but saves you from difficult situations: in revenue as fastfood Pan's (which offers Baguette with tortillas) or as the optimism is that it was a revelation. For the evening careful how you move, is full of Bar-Restaurant: do not go to the places that offer this combination and displaying photos of dishes outside the same for everyone. There's one every 5 feet and are almost always empty, if not for some hapless drinkers and hungry traveler. The tables are bare and you're appliance for you, lucky traveler! (Ahi!!). Maybe if you pay too little you say, but the food is poor. I ask you to make a comparison this question: would you go never eat a plate of pasta in a pub? Here! We hear! If you want to eat well, and spend too little (less than bocadilleria!) You have to go to real restaurants, taverns or hidden in the ancient alleyways. Eat a typical course, you are not the usual looking for our own Italian food I highly recommend. There are restaurants such as fondue (which I went through a review of Hello, =)), but above all the legendary LA RITA (www.la-rita.com) where the food is good - very good - and you spend little (23 per person for 2 / 1, 2 / 2, 2 desserts and a bottle of white).
The dishes do not have to miss me are the paella Valenciana, which although is a typical Catalan dish; LAS MANDONGUILLES AMB sìpia or veal meatballs with cuttlefish: the Catalans in fact mix meat and fish without scruples, but if you taste a Mandonguilles you rewrite the hierarchy of your culinary tastes. Then taste the Fideuà, a kind of pasta sauce seasoned with local allioli, which is a typical Catalan sauce with ground garlic. La Crema Catalana is certainly an institution in the field of sweets, the Catalans but they're doing very well in that field. If you happen menu in the TIM SWEET Baone try: two slabs of ice cream with almonds covered in crema catalana, all drowned in melted chocolate! A real treat for sweet tooth!
ps. the Rambla you will ever see the Boccalon of sangria. Before you sit down ask the price, although I think the shot glass contains at least one liter, see you get a receipt that said € 30 for two glasses leaves you a little 'shock if you are not prepared.
TRANSPORT
It depends on where to stay, if you are in a central point you can easily walk to all major attractions. But maybe it's a little mechanical assistance every now and use it. For example, take the funicular to the castle of Montjuic or a bus (24) to get to Parc Guell. Two Metro stops at the Sagrada Familia and every point is reachable by subway or bus skillfully. Six metro lines (L1, L2, L3, L4, L5, L11) are a great way to get around quickly in the city. A single ride costs 1.40 euro, but choose a subscription or better yet, the excellent integrated tickets bookings at a cost of 10 € di7.95, the latter may be more convenient for other subscriptions available. Everything depends on the number of trips you make. Let the bills. A stamping lasts 75 minutes. Therefore, for a stay of 5 days could be enough, or a maximum of two tickets for 10 trips. For each stamp appears on the back of the number of trips that remain to be validated.
other subscription rates are: 1 day 6 €
2 days € 11.20 € 15.90
3 days 4 days 5 days € 20.40 € 24.10
Target Family trips for 70 € 46.75
We opted for a business trip to 10 head and there are even advanced 3 validators. The meters close to midnight on weekdays and 2 am on weekends. But the city that pulsates at night until dawn, is very well connected by bus service at night.
If you arrive at Girona, a private bus with a ticket price of 12 €, which drops to 21 if you take immediately return trip takes you to the Estacion del Norte near the metro stop Arc de Triomphe.
OTHER
The city is pretty neat and clean (and if you have some objection to this statement come to Rome!). The Motorists are correct: stop at the strip and not obsessed with trumpeting the horn. The people are friendly and smiling all the shops, you will hardly meet with rude people. You can speak English, although the official language is Catalan. Obviously, be careful, as in any metropolitan city, your belongings, even if I have to say that all this great danger that I'd been warned I have not received. The city also has the nomination in spite of being festive and chaotic place occurred to me quite calmly: all the noise comes from tourists. In fact the people of Barcelona do not see them hardly ever. They look like sleeping in their affairs without undue effort. There is the same climate of exasperation and race that is here. I never would have said, but even I could arrive in Barcelona to claim that I could see a quiet life that I do not see in other Italian cities. The air is not infected, and there is the same tension that we breathe here. Perhaps it is that, nowadays, ours is a sick country. But this is not the place to talk about us. So grab a map, a guide and dive to discover Barcelona.
Suggestion: 3 LINK
to eat: www.la-rita.com
souvenirs and ceramics: www.escudellers-art.com galerie
Maxo: www.maxorennella.com
by Alessandro
It should this mini-guide is readable on my profile