%cb %b The Temple of the Sagrada Familia %c* %b and other Barcelona, Spain Things to Do Tips

This majestic Temple of the Sagrada Famila is the symbol of Barcelona to many, and quite arguably, the reason the name Gaudí spread around the world. Here, in the center of this bustling, quite ordinary neighborhood, it is a staggering sight. It is visited by more than a million people annually, and this doesn't take into account those who stand outside and simply gasp on the sidewalks.

After taking on this project, Antoni Gaudí's enormously ambitious undertaking became the main project for the rest of his life. According to my guidebook, at the time of his death in 1926, only the crypt, apse and part of the Nacimiento (Nativity) facade and one tower had been completed. As a mark of respect, Antoni Gaudí's body is entombed in the crypt.

One of the main projects being considered is the construction of the central tower, which is planned to soar way above the existing ones.

There has been much debate about completing the massive temple which has acquired almost an iconic status. Some feel it should be left unfinished and others want to see it done. (I would sure love to see it's completion in my lifetime!). Fortunately Barcelona's commitement to the temple has continued construction for more than 70 years after his death.

I strongly recommend tackling this extraordinary building early in the morning rather than at the end of a long walk or in the afternoon. For one, there is much to see, and second it gets crowded fast!

It is well connected by the Metro and bus lines. I strongly feel that whether you love or hate this building, you will never forget the first time you set eyes on it.

You can take a virtual tour on their webpage (see below).

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Phone: 00 34 93 207 30 31
Address: Carrer de Mallorca 401
Directions: Metro: Line 2 or 5 Station: SagradaFamilia
Website: http://www.sagradafamilia.org/eng/principal.htm

The restoration and continuation of the sculptures on the Nacimiento (Nativity) facade is being undertaken by a Japanese sculptor, Etsuro Sotoo, in a spirit which is remarkably faithful to Gaudí's original work.

This is the side on Carrer de Marina. See Travelogues for more detail of this side.

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Phone: 93 207 30 31
Address: Carrer de Mallorca 401
Directions: Metro: Line 2 or 5 Station: SagradaFamilia
Website: http://www.sagradafamilia.org

The restoration and continuation of the work on the Pasión (Passion) facade has been undertaken by local artist Josep M. Subirachs. Unfortuanetly, this side has aroused less enthusiasm but I think it is still quite beautiful. While is work is less like Gaudí's original plans, it's modernistic approach is also quite impressive.

This is the side on Carrer de Sardenya. See Travelogues for more detail of this side.

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Phone: 93 207 30 31
Address: Carrer de Mallorca 401
Directions: Metro: Line 2 or 5 Station: SagradaFamilia
Website: http://www.sagradafamilia.org

Commissioned by the industrialist Pere Milà and his wife, Casa Milà, also known as La Pedrera (the Quarry; a name it gets from its rippling gray stone facade) was built by Gaudí between 1906 and 1910. What is amazing is the almost wavelike pattern of the stone facade highlighted by the wrought iron balconies, each of which is different from the others. For many years, this remarkable building was left to fall apart, but UNESCO declared it a World Heritage Site in 1984 and the Caixa de Catalunya (a big bank in this region of Spain) stepped in and bought the building in 1986. After 10 years of restoration, it was finally opened to the public in 1996 as a Cultural Center and it has quickly developed into one of the most important cultural places in Barcelona.

Take time to visit this exceptional building, which has the Espai Gaudí, an enlightening exhibition of the architect's work, in the attic, a spectacular roof where the chimneys have been dubbed the "witch scarers", and El Pis, one of the flats now open to the public and decorated as it would have been when the building was first occupied. Major temporary exhibitions are held regularly on the first floor (principal) and are open to the public free of charge.

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Phone: +34 93 484 55 30
Address: Provença 261-265, 08008 Barcelona
Directions: Ont the corner of Passeig de Gràcia and Provença.
Website: http://obrasocial.caixacatalunya.es/osocial/introflash.html
Other Contact: reserves@funcaixacat.org

Illa de la Discòrdia (formerly known as Mançana de Discòrdia), which means Block of Discord, refers to the most famous, no doubt most visited, block on Passeig de Gràcia. It gained its name because of the close juxtaposition of three outstanding buildings, each of which is in a conflicting style, although they are all categorized as modernist.

Casa Lleó Morera, designed by Lluís Domènech i Montaner and decorated with the sculptures of Eusebi Arnau, is on the corner and has the beautiful round window that is hard to miss. Slightly further up is the Casa Amatller by Josep Puig i Cadafalch, and next door to it is the most famous Casa Batlló, which was remodelled by Gaudí in 1906 (pictured here).

The Casa Batlló is more than a building. It became a legend of art and architecture for all time. Today, the First Floor (the former home of the Batlló family), the Attic and its famous chimneys are all open to visitors. You can also be just as content admiring the splendid facades from the sidewalk. Lastly, this building also looks quite beautiful at night. So try to come back and see it then.

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Address: 35, 41 & 43 Passeig de Gràcia
Directions: On on Passeig de Gràcia between Consell de Cent and Aragó.
Website: http://www.op.net/~jmeltzer/Gaudi/batllo.html

One of the star attractions of Barcelona is the Parc Güell, the second most visited park after the Ciutadella. Probably only because of its location in the north of the city. The park owes its magnetic attraction to th fact that it was designed by Gaudí.

In creating the park, Gaudí used shapes which harmonized with the landscape. Always aware of the struggle betwen man and nature, he built a complex garden of staircases, animalike sculptures, curvy ramps, and viaducts.

Today, the park is declared a monument of world interest by UNESCO and has had this status since 1984.

Lastly, expect a climb regardless of how you get to the park (well perhaps unless you drive). I think the best way to get there though was with the Bus Turístic. The Metro is a much longer walk away from the park. Admission to the park is free!

See my travelogue on this park.

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Phone: +34 93 317 39 74
Address: Nou de la Rambla, 3-5
Directions: Metro; line 3. Lesseps Station, then follow the street signs.
Website: http://www.op.net/~jmeltzer/Gaudi/parkgell.html

Since 1934 the Palau Nacional has housed the Museu Nacional d'Art de Catanlunya which is the most important Romanesque art collection in the world. It includes murals peeled off the walls of tiny churches in the Pyrenees in the province of Lleida and brought down by donkey. Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque art can also be found here.

From the Plaça d'Espanya, the view up to the Palau Nacional is breathtaking. I suggest taking the walk up (escalators make it easier).

The Palau Nacional is home to a series of fountains that are located on the steps leading down towards the Plaça d'Espanya. When these fountains are turned on and the light glows through them it's quite a site. See my tip on the fountains of Palau Nacional and my travelogue with more pictures of the Weekly water show.

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Phone: 00 34 93 426 53 86
Address: Palau Nacional. Parc de Montjuïc
Directions: Monjuïc district. Metro 'Espanya'
Website: http://www.mnac.es/eng/index.htm
Other Contact: mnac@mnac.es

Every Friday and Saturday between 7 and 9 pm in the winter and Thursday to Sunday 8pm - midnight between June and September, a fantastic water and light display starts and amazes many. The main display takes place at the lowest of the fountains, but together, all the fountains look incredible. Please see my travelogue for a series of pictures from the dancing fountain show.

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Phone: 93 426 53 86
Address: Palau Nacional. Parc de Montjuïc
Directions: Monjuïc district. Metro 'Espanya'
Website: http://www.mnac.es
Other Contact: mnac@mnac.es

The imposing Font Màgica, also known as the dancing fountain, is very creativly lit and still delights thousands of visitors several times a week during the son et lumière shows. They run between 8pm to midnight from June to September and on Fridays and Saturdays between 7-9 pm in the Winter. The Font Màgica is the first of a series of illuminated fountains that light up the hill up to Palau Nacional, with art-deco beams reaching into the sky. The whole area is quite impressive. See my travelogue on the dancing fountain for more pictures.

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Phone: 93 426 53 86
Address: Palau Nacional. Parc de Montjuïc
Directions: Monjuïc district. Metro 'Espanya'
Website: http://www.mnac.es

One of the best approaches to Montjuïc is from Plaça d'Espanya, which has good metro and bus connections with the rest of the city (3 subway lines). Plaça d'Espanya is a large, noisy junction at the southern end of town. All the buildings surrounding the plaza provide little or no shade making the Plaça d'Espanya a place to avoid lingering. However it is hard to do that when you look at the stunning Palau Nacaional and the massive gateway to Montjuïc.

The statue pictured here is located in the center of Plaça d'Espanya's roundabout and it is the statue to Spain. It was commissioned for the 1929 Universal Exposition. The artist who sculpted this (Josep Jujol) also created the brillian serpantine bench in Parc Güell. The statue to Spain was built 15 years earlier when the Primo de River dictatorship in Madrid controlled the design of the artist's monument.

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Address: Avingudade la Reina María Cristina
Directions: Metro: Espanya