Rambla de Mar Lightweight Bridge, Barcelona, Spain

Witnessed by the anxious crowd gathering on the Rambla de Mar lightweight bridge close to Maremagnum shopping center, gently sails this boat, stopping time for some minutes and forcing visitors to enjoy the view longer than expected, till the mechanism in the bridge extends the wooden platform towards the pier on the other side. The bridge by Viaplana and Pinion leads to Las Ramblas nearby and was featured in Barcelona Photoblog in the past: Waiting for the Bridge at Rambla de Mar and Maremagnum Wooden Bridge in Rush Hours.

And just in case you would like to enjoy the same view daily here is list of Barcelona hotels near the port:

• Grand Marina hotel
• H10 Port Vell hotel
• Serras hotel
• Hotel Duquesa de Cardona
• Hotel Jazz
• Axel hotel
• Hotel Brummell
• Hotel Miramar

Taking Photographs at Port Vell, Barcelona: Romantic Couple

This is a picture of another picture. A young man taking some photos of his girlfriend. I wouldn't dare say they are Japanese tourists but you know the cliche about who is more fond of shooting at everything that moves. She looks like some model to me. The light was great right before the sun went down over Montjuic mountain. The Port Vell area was crowded and lots of tourists were waiting to pass to the other side of Maremagnum bridge towards Las Ramblas. Some others were trying to capture a good sunset shot, me too! But I couldn't resist sneaking into this couple's private world and snatching a moment of intimacy.

Maremagnum Wooden Bridge: Rush Hours

The wooden bridge at Maremagnum was featured in this photo blog a long time ago (see Waiting for the Bridge at Rambla de Mar for all details about the bridge and the architects Albert Viaplana and Helio Piñon). As you can guess, the place being a neuralgic spot in the city is crammed with people during rush hours, which are basically all day long in the Port Vell area. The Maremagnum wooden decked or moveable bridge is a remarkable testament to the collaborative efforts of its architects and construction team. It seamlessly integrates with its natural surroundings, harmoniously blending human ingenuity with the beauty of the environment it spans.

The Clock Tower at Port Vell, Barcelona, Spain.

My second post about the clock tower (torre del rellotge or far del port) at the Moll dels Pescadors (Fishermen Pier), Barcelona (see Tower of the Clock) is somehow a new different approach since I preferred color and a different pespective this time. I offered a map to locate it then but I will mark the place on my new Google map with the picture so you play with the zoom in the surroundings too.

Capgrossos Parade, La Merce 2007, Barcelona, Spain

Yet another image of the Capgrossos Parade during La Merce 2007 celebrations in Barcelona, Spain.

Capgros. La Merce Celebrations, Port Vell, Barcelona, Spain

One of the shots of Capgrossos I took during La Merce celebrations last September at Port Vell, Barcelona, Spain. Check my previous post: La Merce Celebrations 2007

Absent Minded Giant at Port Vell, Barcelona

Oh Janet, no, not again! Hmm, bad joke! Hey, this is what happens when an absent minded giant or gegant is too busy holding the basket and the bearer is concentrated on the road along the sea in Port Vell, Barcelona, which by the way, doesn't have any handrails! Well, in fact, the gegant is already dressed that way and this is another sample of traditions and folk humor...do you think this picture will be banned like J.Timberlake and J.Jackson - Superbowl 2004. Oops!

La Merce 2007 Celebrations in Barcelona, Capgros

Besides the splendor of La Mercé 2007 celebrations at night by the fountains of Montjuic I can only show you what happened in the afternoon at Port Vell. As usual giants and capgrosos (big heads) gathered to start the parade that serves as an early introduction to the big night show in front of the multicolored fountain that moves to the sound of music and the fireworks. For some us the real party starts too late and the site is packed with people. When you have kids crowded places late at night are practically impossible to attend. I hope you like capgrosos which are present in many Catalan celebrations all year long.

Marina and History Museum of Catalonia, Barcelona

There in the background the History Museum of Catalonia and part of the Marina. Appart from the museum this is an important zone of restaurants and specially recommended is the one of top of the building not only because it is a good restaurant but because of the magnificent views.

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La Fura dels Baus: Naumon Ship at Port Vell, Barcelona

As I am behind schedule with my posting so I will just show the whole version of yesterday's image: The Naumon ship of a La Fura dels Baus theater company. Notice the figure of the giant lying on the deck.

Waiting for the Bridge: Rambla de Mar, Barcelona

These people were waiting for the wooden decked swing bridge at Moll d'Espanya to close again after letting boats sail into the marina. The wooden platform and the path along the bridge towards Maremagnum, the big leisure center, is called Rambla de Mar. The bridge was designed by Albert Viaplana, professor of Architectural Project at the School of Architecture of Barcelona University and Helio Piñon, his partner, teaching at the school since 1970 and co-editor of Arquitecturas-bis since 1974. They are responsible for major projects in the city so I suggest you check their work here Viaplana & Piñon. Here is a Google Earth Map with a view of the bridge at Rambla de Mar and Maremagnum.

Sunset over Port Vell, Barcelona

Today's picture was taken last Sunday after having lunch at one of the many restaurants in front of the marina in Port Vell (I know, I know, it was quite late for lunch!). It was a hot day, somewhat foggy and the sun was setting rapidly over Columbus column on the other side of the port, just in front of Las Ramblas. Notice that on top of the mountain in the distance you can also spot Calatrava's tower which I had photographed early in the afternoon.

Poverty in Barcelona: Tramp at Maremagnum

Alienated, abandoned, neglected, homeless tramps. Poverty goes with society, it has been there before and it will be there in the future, it is the byproduct of human ambition. Being different and impaired is punished with ignorance and rejection for the sake of the pack. When are we going to think and act as civilized animals instead of just animals?

Aerial Photo of Maremagnum in Port vell, Barcelona via Google Earth.

Barcelona Port: WTC, Cruisers and...Pigeons?

Here is a view of Barcelona Port, specifically Port Vell (Old Port) with World Trade Center building in the back, some cruisers and a lot of pigeons baking in the sun. I would like to mention my friend Kris from Little Town in Hungary who also included pigeons in her post yesterday. Once, long ago, in my childhood days I thought they were beautiful. I reckon they might be for those of you living in places where they are not crawling and creeping like rats as it happens here and in many countries. 

The other day I was fighting over a McDonald's hamburger with one of those predators. No wonder they swarm freely in the harbor area, they don't have natural enemies, just hunger, viruses and maybe seagulls, another growing menace in modern cities. Hey, don't misinterpret me, I love animals...birds too, but not THAT many!.

Relevant information: Barcelona World Trade Center, located at the end of Moll de Barcelona (Barcelona Wharf) was created by US architects, Pei, Coob, Fred & Partners, authors of the glass pyramid at the Louvre Museum. For more details check the official site mentioned above. Cruisers like the ones in the picture depart from international seaport terminals on both sides of Barcelona wharf. The big metal structure is the tower of Jaume I, communicating the port with a neighboring hill called Montjuic by means of a cable car known as the Montjuïc Teleféric. Amazing view from there!  

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...

Marina Port Vell in Barcelona, Spain

After showing you part of the History Museum of Catalonia at Palau de Mar building, here is a picture of the view from the roof and restaurant terrace of the museum. You can admire part of the Moll del Dipòsit in which Marina Port Vell is located. The Marina is surrounded by Barceloneta's restaurants and "tapas" bars and is 10 minutes away from the center. The place appeared recently in the news because of the many people living in boats and not sailing alleging that it's cheaper to dwell in a small vessel than buying or renting an apartment in the city. Notice the white building there in the background, it is the Imax Port Vell cinema, a little bit to its left you find Maremagnum Shopping Center and farther back you see Barcelona World Trade Center building. On the horizon the almost new highway bridge near the entrance to the port. Check this other photo where you have a wider view.

Satellite Image of Marina Port Vell in Barcelona, Spain.

Escalators at Maremagnum in Barcelona Port

This is an afternoon shot at Maremagnum Shopping Center by Port Vell in Barcelona Port. I thought we could give our street artist some rest. I used sepia tones to emphasize light and strengthen the silhouette of people. Escalators coming down so near the waterfront are awkward enough to be portrayed here.

Barcelona Port: Lady at Rambla de Mar

Today I show you Rambla de Mar a narrow plank walk departing from Moll de la Fusta towards Port Vell and Maremagnum. Modern in design and free from protective barriers it is the ideal place for reading, basking in the sun, jogging, or meditating. I was taking pictures nearby, when I came across this lady holding a bunch of flowers, a look of despair in her eyes, lost in her own thoughts as hypnotized by the reflections of the sea. The image was enhanced by the presence of a big ferry sailing to the Balearic Islands in the background, a Golondrina (sightseeing boat covering the port area) and the Teleferic, an aerial cable car going over the city from the mountain of Montjuic. Here you have another shot a little bit closer.

See Rambla de Mar at Barcelona Port on a Google Earth Map

Port Vell, Barcelona: Ictineu II Submarine

At the harbor of Barcelona, in front of the Imax Port Vell cinema and near Maremagnum shopping center  there is a reproduction of The Ictineu II, the first combustion driven submarine and anaerobic engine, invented by Narcís Monturiol i Estarriol who was born in Figueres, Catalonia (Spain) in 1819.

The first successful combustion powered submarine was launched the 2nd of October 1864.

Monturiol died tragically and impoverished in Barcelona in 1885.

Check Ictineu II Submarine on a Google Earth Map

Painting at Port Vell in Barcelona

When you visit Maremagnum as you sure will, don´t forget this shaded arcade between the shopping center and the aquarium. Surrounded by terraces where you can hide from the summer heat you can find these permanent exhibitions of paintings performed live for you by the skillful artists that abound in this area. Art together with some coffee or a couple of beers is a perfect blend.