Barcelona Favorite Tips by Maria_75

ANTONIO GAUDÍ Gaudi / His Art Review

Favorite thing: Gaudí was born in Reus Spain, in 1852. He was the son of a coppersmith and studied at the Escola Superior d'Arquitectura in Barcelona. Here he designed his first major commission for the Casa Vincens, where he used a Gothic Revival style that set a standard for his future work.

Throughout his career he developed a sensuous, curving, almost surreal design style which established him as the innovative leader of the Spanish Art Nouveau movement. His characteristic style was admired from other avant-garde artists. He has been categorized within Art Nouveau, but he really created his own unique style.

He tragically died in 1926 after being hit by a tramway.

HISTORY OF BULLFIGHTS Information /Sources Review

Favorite thing: If you get the opportunity you should go and see a bullfight. (Unless you have a problem with seeing animals hurt, like I have. I can't even go to a circus, but that's me...) In bullfights they use a special kind of bulls, Toro Bravo, that are only conserved in Spain.

Many civilizations revered to them, the bull-cultus in Creta is quite well-known, and the Bible reports on sacrifices of bulls in honour to the divine justice. Also in the religious ceremonies of Iberian tribes living in Spain in prehistorical times, bulls played an important part.

The origins of the Plaza (bullring) are probably not the Roman amphitheaters, but the Celt-Iberian temples where those ceremonies were held. In the province of Soria, close to Numancia, one of them is conserved. It is believed to be a place where bulls were sacrificed to the Gods.

For its fans, La Corrida is a form of art, rather than a sport. And of course it's the challenge of the man fighting against the beast. It is an archaic tradition that has survived in Spain, just as the Toro Bravo has done.

DEMONSTRATIONS 3 People Review

Favorite thing: And yet another demonstration...

I'm not quite sure what this one was about though. We saw lots of other demonstrations too, but I think it's enough with three on these pages... ;)

(Can anyone tell me if it is normal with so many demonstrations, or if it was just something special while I was there?)

DEMONSTRATIONS 2 People Review

Favorite thing: Another demonstration.

Here are plenty of students demonstrating near Plaça Catalunya.

DEMONSTRATIONS 1 People Review

Favorite thing: I don't know if it is very special for Barcelona, or if it was just something that happened while I was there. But there were plenty of demonstrations going on.

Here you can see pictures from a anti-America demonstration.

CATALAN Information /Sources Review

Favorite thing: The history of Barcelona is closely linked to that of the Catalan nation and the Catalan language. The language is an evolution of Latin, and is more similar to Provencal French than Castilian Spanish.

There are also very strong Catalan traditions, cultures and identity, making the people feel much more like Catalans than spanish.

In the 13th and 14th centuries there was a great Catalan expancion throughout the Mediterranean area. Today you can still see the traces of both Catalan commercial and military, in places like Sicily, Malta, Sardinia and even Athens.

THE HISTORY OF BARCELONA Information /Sources Review

Favorite thing: Romans came to this place more than 2000 years ago, and founded the city of Barcino. They chose to build the city on a sandy enclave on the northeastern Iberian coast, situated between the mouths of two rivers, Llobregat and Besós, and protected by the Collserola mountainrange.

This was a very strategic position, well communicated by land and sea, and protected by the landscape and the citywalls. Over the centuries the city grew to become the capitol of Catalunya and Spains main tradingport.