Monjuic Magic Fountains and Plaza España: Panoramic View of Barcelona

This panoramic view of Monjuic Magic Fountains and Plaza España is the perfect match to what you can see from Sacré-Coeur basilica in Montmartre, Paris or at least I got that impression when I visited this country back in August. Remember yesterday's post? Well, this time you take the elevators or climb up the stairs all the way up and rest for a while at the entrance of National Museum of Art of Catalonia (MNAC). You will enjoy the architecture of Fira de Barcelona from there, or maybe you just sit and relax thinking about going back to the hotel for lunch, but don't forget to pick up your camera and freeze some Barcelona images to show your friends. This place is a must see, and behind the museum you have a full range of important places to visit. Remember that every Sept. 24th we celebrate La Mercè (patroness of Barcelona) just in front of these stairs, and that Montjuic Magic Fountains are fully illuminated for the occasion, not just with spotlights but by the light of a huge fireworks exhibition.

Google Maps Image of Barcelona: Plaza España, Montjuic Magic Fountains, Fira de Barcelona, MNAC and Olympic Ring

Fountains at Montjuic: Passeig de Les Cascades in Barcelona

Once you take the elevators and get just below MNAC and Palau Nacional, follow the Passeig de les Cascades, that is, the path to your right or left and you will reach these recently restored staircases adorned with beautiful fountains and blue tiles hidden under the shadow of the trees. You will be really walking along the historic Eix dels Muntanyans (Mountaineers Axis or Way) built during the 1929 Barcelona International Exhibition and the first transversal avenue communicating palaces located East with western areas of the park and Poble Espanyol. So, where were we?, oh yes, I remember now, if you choose the left path, and you keep on going till the end you descend to carrer de Lleida where Teatre Lluire is (a coming post). Taking the opposite direction will lead you up to Montjuic Olympic Ring. Here is a wider picture including some more people. It was hard to decide which one to post so I included three photos. The last one, is taken from the distance where you can better appreciate the staircase.

Aerial Picture of Fountains at Montjuic in Barcelona, Spain.

If you are traveling to Barcelona soon or you are already in the city, try this fantastic list of Popular Things to Do in Barcelona provided by Virtual Tourist. Anything from Casa Mila to Barri Gotic or from Joan Miro to Nou Camp, you name it, concise and image illustrated.

Panoramic View of Barcelona: World Trade Center

Today, I present you with another shot taken from Montjuic of one of the wharfs at Barcelona port. Notice this enormous and luxurious hotel, with an exquisite design at the very end of the pier: it is the Barcelona World Trade Center, on the right side of the picture next to the cable car tower. I would recommend it if it weren't for the fact that it is not made for the pocket of common mortals like us, are you?
Cruisers sailing the Mediterranean sea depart from the same wharf, what a coincidence!.

Panoramic View of Barcelona from Montjuic

When in Barcelona do as the Barcelonians do: go, climb Montjuic mountain and take a look at the city from El Mirador del Alcalde or the Castle of Montjuic. If you are lucky and you pick up a bright fine day like this you surely won't regret it. That's Columbus monument in the middle (right under the helicopter) and Hotel Arts to your right. To the left, in the background, the omnipresent Agbar tower.

Modern Architecture: Mies Van der Rohe Pavilion in Barcelona

Here is another view of Mies Van Der Rohe Pavilion, mentioned back in August in these two posts: Ludwig Mies Van der Rohe Pavilion in Barcelona and Barcelona Chair by Ludwig Mies Van der Rohe. You can admire the beautiful design of the Barcelona Chair from another angle here. I hope you enjoy the work of this renown German architect as much as I do. In case you didn't notice, this is the City of Barcelona flag.

Maremagnum: A Leisure Resort in Barcelona Port

As many fellow bloggers know, this is not my first post about Maremagnum, the leisure resort in Barcelona Port, so today I will concentrate on the image. As in previous photos taken at Port Vell water front, I chose reflections of the people at the cafeteria out in Maremagnum Shopping Center's terrace. I like the way in which the glass panels tend to distort the image creating optical illusion. To find out more examine my previous posts: Maremagnum Mare Nostrum Reflections, Escalators at Maremagnum in Barcelona, Spain, Sitting on the Dock of the Bay and specially Maremagnum Tourist Paradise. I think there are some more. I hope you enjoy them along with...

Tower at Barcelona Fair Venue near Montjuic

This small tower is part of Fira de Barcelona (Barcelona Fair) venue. Easily spotted at the foot of the elevators leading to MNAC (National Art Museum of Catalonia) in the Palau Nacional, these beautiful towers are on almost every corner of the palaces on each side of the staircase. If you climb up till the museum you will appreciate the little turrets better and enjoy a panoramic view of Barcelona.

The Fira of Barcelona compound exists thanks to the celebration of 1929 International Exposition (World's Fair) at the slope of Montjuic hill. From that time are: Palau Nacional, the famous Font Màgica fountains full of colors and firecrackers during La Mercé celebrations (September 24th), Mies Van der Rohe Pavilion (rebuilt), the Olympic Stadium (remodeled) or Poble Espanyol. Here is another picture of a different tower.

Sant Miquel del Fai Church near Barcelona: Bell Detail

How many times have this old bell tolled since medieval times?...Located at one of the walls along the corridor where the cloister of Sant Miquel del Fai Romanic church used to be, the bells (there are two) are silent witnesses of centuries of quietness and meditation under the cliffs that overlook river Tenes and neighbouring towns of Bigues and Riells.

Check my previous post for more Sant Miquel del Fai information.

Sant Miquel del Fai near Barcelona: Priory House

Sant Miquel del Fai is a natural park situated in a valley basin about 35 kms away from Barcelona. You can go there by bus or by car, and you have to pay for the entrance (6€ more or less). Besides the incredible view of caves, small waterfalls falling at river Tenes and the imposing sedimentary rock cliffs, it features the Romanic hermitage of Sant Martí already important by the IVth Century, the Sant Miquel Church buried inside a grotto and a monastery known as the Priory House (closer look), built upon an enormous legde in the mountain walls at the beginnings of the XVth Century. Because of the geological nature of the park, this zone is rich in Neolithic archeological findings, mainly remnants of Iberian settlements.

Google Earth Satellite Picture of Sant Miquel del Fai near Barcelona.

Sant Miquel Del Fai Cliffs and Catalan Flag

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Today is September 11th and besides the sad anniversary of tragic events at twin towers in United States, Catalonia and Barcelona as a part of it, celebrate the National Day of Catalonia, called La Diada. Many Catalan flags hang up from balconies for the occasion so I chose this flagpole with La Senyera billowing over Sant Miquel del Fai, a natural park in the province of Barcelona with amazing views which I will show you in coming posts. Maybe you would like to know in advance what this place is: Sant Miquel del Fai. Find out more about La Diada.

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Wall Lamp at Paseo de Gracia in Barcelona

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Just next to the entrance of Happy Books (a nice bookstore at Paseo de Gracia), you find this admirable wall lamp, anonymously lighting your way and yet so ignored by passerbies unaware of its ancient beauty.

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La Pedrera: A Barcelona Landmark

Going for a walk down the city center I captured these tourists desperately taking pictures of La Pedrera, one of the most outstanding landmarks of Barcelona on Paseo de Gracia street.

The sightseeing bus wouldn't stop so there was not much time to take a good snapshot of the modernist building at sunset.

I took another photograph, this time with a modernist lamp post in the way.

Mesón del Café at Barri Gotic in Barcelona

In all good cities or towns there is always a place to drink a nice cup of coffee and Barcelona is no less: The Mesón del Café (Coffee Inn), one of the oldest coffee bars in Ciutat Vella, was inaugurated in the 50's by Antonio Peligros Callejas and its prestige has been recognized on many occasions by the local authorities. Conveniently located in one of the most visited parts of Barcelona, the Barri Gotic (Gothic Quarter), the famous Cafe at carrer Llibreteria is a must for locals and tourists alike.

Besides pastry or sandwiches, coffee, the main star, can be tasted in many different ways, but I would particularly suggest you try Cappucino and Picardía (a mixture of coffee, condensate milk and whisky). Of course there is much more to choose according to your taste. Check the map for location, or take down the address:

Bar Cafetería Mesón Del Café
Street: Llibreteria , 16 (not very far from Plaça Sant Jaume)
Ciutat Vella, Barcelona

Google Earth Map Image of Mesón del Café at Barri Gotic in Barcelona

Joan Miró: Woman and Bird (Dona i Ocell)

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Woman and Bird (1982) known in Catalan as Dona i Ocell was included in an old post of mine back in March, 2006 (Joan Miró: A Photo in Pastel). It was a time when I didn't know much about publishing large pictures. I think this sculpture well deserves a second chance. Notice trencadis work in red, yellow and blue or the sexual symbology invoking fertility and strength associated with ancient Mediterranean cultures. Miró as you know was a painter, a sculptor and a ceramist. Barcelona 1893 - Mallorca 1983, a life of creativeness and innovation. Not fond of being classified he was defined as a surrealist by many and had Dada influences as well, maybe because he believed in the art of automatism, that is drawing or creating in a state of unconciousness or hypnosis, maybe we would call it improvising now. Please complete this succinct information with Joan Miró, Surrealism and Dada at Wikipedia. And then with all that fresh knowledge visit these two magnific sites: Joan Miró Foundation and Pilar i Joan Miró Foundation in Mallorca.

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Google Maps View of Joan Miro Park
Google Earth Map Image of Joan Miró Parc or Parc de l'Escorxador in Barcelona.

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Paper Sculpture on Subway Vent at Paseo de Gracia

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Walking along Paseo de Gracia in Barcelona I discovered this man reading and totally unaware of the marvelous paper sculpture billowing over a subway vent just like Marilyn's skirt in Seven Year Itch. The artist, roll in hand, smiles with complicity.

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Catalan Modernisme: Sant Pau Hospital's Ceiling

Catalan Modernisme and Hospital de Sant Pau are also themes commented in previous posts that you can explore on this site. This is an old cellphone picture. 

Gothic cross-vaulted ceilings used to house the administration department, kitchen and laundry in Sant Pau, not it is open to the public and patients were moved to the new hospital nearby.

Mirador at Pedraforca Massif

Pedraforca as you know is not a new topic in my posts. This impressive massif was previously dealt with in Landscapes of Catalonia:The Pedraforca Massif, Landscapes of Catalonia: Pedraforca , Climbing the Pedraforca Massif: June Post and Climbing the Pedraforca Massif: July Post. Some landscapes will help calm down the stress these first days of September.

Santa Maria del Mar Church: Door Detail

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This a small door at Santa Maria del Mar Church which you can find along a side street. Soon I will show you a couple of front pictures of this marvelous gothic church in Barcelona and a detailed explanation about its history.

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Frederic Marès Museum Garden at Barri Gotic in Barcelona

Gardens of  the Royal Palace of Counts of Barcelona (Frederic Mares Museum)

This is an image of the garden in the old Royal Palace of Counts of Barcelona, at present Frederic Marès Museum.

Going along the narrow streets of Barri Gotic (Gothic Quarter), Comtes de Barcelona street in particular, you find the stairs down this patio adorned with a beautiful fountain in the middle of exuberant orange trees.

At the opposite end you find the entrance to the museum. Of course it is a recommended place to stretch your legs in the shade after a long walk in the old part of the city.

Frederic Marès Museum holds the most important collection of Hispanic sculpture from XII to XIX in Spain.

There's a fine collection of Romanesque and Gothic religious art.

Last but not less, you shouldn't miss the fantastic exhibition of antique children's toys.

Sightseeing in Barcelona: Las Golondrinas

This is a picture I took at Barcelona Port just in front of Columbus Monument in which you can appreciate one of Las Golondrinas, sightseeing ships you can board to travel along the coast.

For more information check the for tourist boat company address:
"Las Golondrinas" - "Sirenas SA"
Pl. Portal de la Pau, 1
08002 - Barcelona
Tel. +34 93 442 31 06

Sagrada Familia Mosaic and Happy BlogDay 2006!

With this colorful picture of a mosaic detail on one of Sagrada Familia spires by Gaudi, I wish you all a Happy Blogday2006 or 3108, a number that looks like the word Blog and a day in which you are supposed to share five links and then use tag blogday2006. It is some sort of social experiment supposed to expand the blogosphere, creating more interaction among bloggers. So here they are:

- Barcelona Photobloggers, the blog that represents and unifies the photoblog community in Barcelona.

- Mexican Pictures an impressive photoblog about different countries describing common people.

- Photoschau, a German photoblog with spectacular pictures.

- FotobyImran fantastic images posted from Singapore, Malaysia.

- Moodaholic, some other pictures that called my attention, from Denmark.

PS: Last Tuesday, August 29th Barcelona Photoblog was featured among other fellow bloggers in an article titled Ciudadano blog. Miles de bloggers de Barcelona copan con sus experiencias los diarios en internet by Borja Bujedo and Lucía Magí, published in La Vanguardia, an important newspaper in our country, edited in Barcelona. As it is the first time I ever appear in the papers or any media you can imagine how happy I felt. If the article has helped Barcelona or Spanish bloggers gain more recognition in the press and at the same time visitors got to know more about our daily work, it would be really rewarding. This could not have happened without all you people visiting me, thank you very much.

Update: I still remember this special event for Barcelona Photoblog. Thanks again for your support all these years!

Santa Caterina Market in Barcelona

Santa Caterina or Isabel II Market was the first covered market in Barcelona. It was built from 1844 to 1848, the name coming from the original convent over whose ruins it was raised as it was customary then. Recently, the old building has been remodeled (1997-2005) by architects Enric Miralles and Benedetta Tagliabue (EMTB) those who designed the Scottish Parliament. Here is Santa Caterina Market as seen from the other side, notice the wooden structure that covers the ceiling and the metal beams that climb up like branches. The colorful roof (325.000 tiles) emulating vegetable and fruit stalls has become one of Barcelona's landmarks, although it can only be appreciated fully in official pictures or if you tip someone in the neighbouring buildings. If you want to know more about Barcelona markets check The Market Route.

Google Earth View of the Santa Caterina Market in Barcelona

Barcelona City Walls: Defense Tower

Back in the month of May I posted a picture about some wild flowers growing on one of the last preserved fragments of Barcelona City Walls, and I promised that further ahead I would show a more illustrative photo of the bulwark itself. So here you are, a defense tower part of the western wall. There was a first wall built by king James 1st in the 13th century running parallel to where La Rambla is now and a hundred years later the latter was enclosed by an outer wall, this time engulfing El Raval (on your right while walking down La Rambla towards the sea). This image you see is part of such outer wall, at Avinguda del Parallel, near Reials Drassanes (Royal Dockyards), turned into Barcelona's Museu Marítim (Naval Museum).

Google Earth View of the Barcelona City Walls: Defense Tower

The Textile and Clothing Museum of Barcelona

Today I show you a picture of The Textile and Clothing Museum of Barcelona located at the old Marquès de Llió Palace bought by the City Council in 1955 and restored later to open as a museum in 1969. According to the museum's own definition The Textile and Clothing Museum is an institution charged with safeguarding the valuable heritage of material history formed by textiles, tapestries, embroideries, lace, liturgical ornaments, civil dress and accessories, and apparatus for the production of these objects, dating from the early centuries of our era to the present day". Very near Picasso Museum, but that's another story...

Update: The Textile and Clothing Museum is now here:

Address: Disseny Hub Barcelona, Plaça de les Glòries, 37-38 08018 Barcelona.

Transport: By Metro – Line1 Glòries (Àlaba street) | By Bus – Lines 7, 92, 192, H12 | By Tram – Trambesós T5, T6 – La Farinera | By Bicing – Bicing station, Av. Meridiana – Glòries subway

Barcelona Chair by Ludwig Mies van der Rohe

Today I show you some pictures about Ludwig Mies van der Rohe Pavilion described in my previous post. Ludwig Mies van der Rohe was born in Aachen, Germany in 1886 and died in Chicago, Illinois in 1969. Influenced by Prussian architect Karl Friedrich Schinkel and his use of simple cubic forms and broad proportions and seduced by Russian Constructivism and the Dutch De Stijl group, this young employee in his father's stone-carving business soon got to hobnob with the best of Berlin's cultural society in the 20's. He entered the famous Bauhaus design school, and created modernist furniture classics such as our Barcelona Chair in 1929 and the Brno chair in 1929-1930. 

Here is another picture of Ludwig Mies van der Rohe Pavilion, one of the best exponents of his new ideas: enclosed large open "universal" spaces with clearly ordered structural frameworks.

Ludwig Mies van der Rohe Pavilion in Barcelona

Back in 1929, during Barcelona International Exposition, Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, the famous architect built the German Pavilion which was demolished one year later when the Exposition was over. In the 80's, the Pavilion was reconstructed on the same place (near Barcelona Fair premises and MNAC) by architects Ignasi Solà-Morales, Christian Cirici and Fernando Ramos. 

Don't expect too much from the site as it is just a pavilion to admire design and material. If you are an architecture enthusiast perhaps you can buy interest books on Ludwig Mies van der Rohe at the bookshop. Tomorrow I will show you more pictures and write some words about this famous German architect. Hereby, I acknowledge the kind suggestion of my wife in choosing this place and specifically in taking this shot.

Modernist Lamp Post at Passeig de Gracia, Barcelona

One of the distinguishing traits of Passeig de Gracia in Barcelona, are these modernist lamp posts on both sides of the street. Unlike gas street lighting installed in 1852, these lamp posts with benches date back from 1906 and were designed by Pere Falqués. There are 31 in all as far as I am concerned and were restored in the 80's during a remodeling campaign in the city. Please examine this other shot of the lamp post for more details.

Passeig de Gracia: Reminiscing

This is just a beautiful modernist bench and lamp post (all-in-one), like many others. But what if you check this other photo by Robert Capa almost at the end of Spanish Civil War. I really got to worship these benches after I saw the picture.

Barcelona's National Theater of Catalonia

The National Theatre of Catalonia opened in the city in 1996. The building resembling a Greek temple was designed by Ricardo Bofill, the famous Catalan architect who projected Barcelona Airport or will build the hotel Vela in the new mouth of the port. With a capacity of 894 seats, the main auditorium has a classical amphitheater shape. If you want to know more about theater in Catalonia you can read this excellent article.

Aerial View of Barcelona's National Theater of Catalonia (Google Earth Image)

Banco Vitalicio in Passeig de Gracia, Barcelona: Detail

This is a detail of one of the doors at the entrance of Banco Vitalicio building, facing the intersection of Passeig de Gràcia and Gran Via de Les Corts Catalanes. Here is another picture with details of the reliefs by Enric Monjo on the façade of the same building.

Aerial View of Banco Vitalicio: Passeig de Gràcia, Barcelona, Spain (Google Earth Image)

Banco Vitalicio: First High-Rise Building in Barcelona

This impressive building at Passeig de Gracia,11 holds the headquarters of Banco Vitalicio de España (Full View), an insurance company of renown prestige. It was built from 1941 to January 1950 on the same place where Palau Marianao was. The building was a project of Lluís Bonet i Garí (1893-1993) one of the architects who, after the Spanish Civil War, continued with the building of the Sagrada Família. With its 17 floors it was one of the first high-rise buildings in Barcelona and a sample of the new prosperous times after the end of the dark postwar period of the 40's.

Seat 600: A Part of Spanish History

Seat 600 is part of Spanish history, a car attached to the memories of thousand of families that couldn't afford to buy expensive brands in the sixties. Although it was a Fiat license, it was built in Spain and the Seat factory was located in Barcelona (now in Martorell, in the outskirts of the city).

El Timbaler del Bruc

El Timbaler del Bruc, a young drummer representing the heroic resistance of Catalan partisans at the region of El Bruc (Anoia) against Napoleon's troops on June 6th and 14th, 1808. The French army had to withdraw, and such deeds are celebrated each year at the Fiesta del Timbaler, where inhabitants of this town impersonate historical characters of both sides in battle scenes. According to the legend the sound of the drum strengthened by the echo of nearby mountains scared the invaders away. This figure is part of an exhibition at History Museum of Catalonia.

Cogwheel at History Museum of Catalonia in Barcelona

As a reminder of Catalan industrial past, you can admire old machinery parts such as this cogwheel at the History Museum of Catalonia in front of Barcelona port.

Catalan Modernisme: Casa Pia Batlló

Casa Pia Batlló taken from Rambla Catalunya. Check previous post for some more information. If you want to know more about Modernisme (not Modernism), feel free to use the new Barcelona Photography search engine (orange rectangle on my sidebar) or the Google box at the bottom.

Modernist Street Lamp at Casa Pia Batlló in Barcelona

This modernist street lamp with an elaborate ironwork can be admired on the façade of Casa Pia Batllò, a house designed by the famous Catalan architect Josep Vilaseca i Casanovas (1848-1910). Built from 1891 to 1896, this modernist building is located at the insection of Gran Via Les Corts and Rambla Catalunya.

Check this Google Earth Image.

Woman Sculpture at History Museum of Catalonia

Woman sculpture at History Museum of Catalonia in Barcelona. As you see I am using my archives as this photoblog is not working full gas due to summer holidays. I am taking note of all those kind comments I have been receiving from old friends and newcomers. By the end of the month I will be visiting you all as usual. Don't think I forget any of you, you are the reason for this place to exist. Have a nice day.

Spanish Civil War's Republican Posters Exhibition

If you happen to be in Barcelona and you like history, particularly the Spanish Civil War history, don't miss this exhibition about Republican posters at the History Museum of Catalonia till Sept. 11th, the Day of the Catalonian Nation, also known as the Diada.

Come and Go

Just some anonymous people walking along Diagonal Ave. in Barcelona. Common, ordinary people on their way to work or just wandering. The picture was taken from the bus and completely at random.

Flower Blend

This day I celebrated my birthday. Yes, I am a Leo, with all the good and the bad traits. Anyway I mean no harm. I picked up these flowers for the occasion.

History Museum of Catalonia: Escalators

Just a photograph taken from the upper floor at the History Museum of Catalonia. The striking red color and the reflections coming from the roof called my attention. Even though the museum has a good restaurant on top and a marvelous view from the balcony over Barcelona port and surrounding terraces, a quiet atmosphere prevails in the interior.

Sunset at Sant Antoni de Vilamajor near Barcelona, Spain

Another sunset image from Sant Antoni de Vilamajor, not very far away from Barcelona city, while staying at some friends' this summer.

Sunset at Sant Antoni de Vilamajor near Barcelona

See you soon. I hope you don't mine me changing the dates. I just thought you could share some of my pictures and at the same time I keep the logical sequence of days in my posting. Thanks for your understanding. Have a nice August.

Rainbow at Sant Antoni de Vilamajor, Barcelona

Taken after my return from Paris. I am leaving for a town in Murcia, Spain and will be back around August 16th.

Aerial Shot of the Pyrenees

Barcelona from the Sky

Barcelona on my way to Paris.

Big Table at L'Illa Diagonal, Barcelona

Chestnut Fruit at Bellaterra, Barcelona

Big Ripe Tomato at Bellaterra

Ripe Tomato at Bellaterra, Barcelona

Juicy ripe tomato. I wonder how much of its smell and taste is lost on the way to the market.