Street Artist XI at Las Ramblas, Barcelona

Today I choose a picture about something more likely to be admired in case you visit Barcelona (personally I think my two previous mountain images are too far away for tourists). I keep counting my series of Barcelona artists: number XI here a veteran fakir and sword eater is entertaining the crowd who does not know whether to laugh or look the other way sickened by the view. 

Did you know that Fakir is an Arabic word meaning "poor" and that sword swallowing was already famous as a magic trick in Ancient Greece?, in fact it is not an illusion, it's a matter of learning to control your reflex gagging at objects touching the throat. Anyway, I am glad that I chose the backstage because I had a great time watching people's faces by far more interesting than the show (no offense).

See Picture of Barcelona Street Artist at Las Ramblas Picture on a Google Earth Map.

Landscapes of Catalonia: Climbing the Pedraforca Massif

Now that I have introduced the Pedraforca Massif in my previous post and considering I have several pictures to show, why not taking a little break. I come from playing a soccer match with some friends and I am really exhausted. Besides my beloved blogger service is making me nervous. 

Here you go, a picture of my daughter at the moment of inflection when we both got tired and headed back. Notice the road in the background, well add up a couple more curves to reach the mirador again...

See Pedraforca Massif Picture on a Google Earth Map

Landscapes of Catalonia: The Pedraforca Massif

The Pedraforca Massif is a Nature Reserve of National Interest located in the comarca (county) of , Berguedá which is part of Barcelona province (eleven comarques) . 

The high ranges of Pedraforca are located to the northwest of the territory. The Catalan name Pedraforca (stone pitchfork), is due to the peculiar shape of the eroded summit as you can see. The highest peak is 2.497 meters high and the lowest 2.491. 

We were staying at a town nearby, called Saldes and from there we went up by car to the Gresolet Mirador, a wide balcony on top of a cliff to take some panoramic pictures. Full of morning energy we then headed for the top, but the sun and the infinite winding stony road undermined our will. 'What the heck let's go down for some beers' I said. 

Today's picture was taken from the road before I arrived to Saldes.

PS: I know this is not Barcelona city but I find it perfect for my modest attempt at landscape photography.

See Pedraforca Massif Picture on a Google Earth Map

Palau Sant Jordi at Barcelona Olympic Ring

Palau Sant Jordi (Sant Jordi Sports Palace) by the Japanese architect Arata Isozaki with capacity for 17,000 spectators is the main attraction at Barcelona Olympic ring. Built from August 1985 to September 1990, it can hold a wide variety of sports events or stage big concerts. The concave metallic structure on top is covered with ceramic tiles and zinc sheets. The enormous square full of columns and fountains together with the flying saucer appearance of the pavilion might as well be a magnificent scenario for a sci fi movie (it reminds me of Star Wars). I caught two people walking on the left for a better appreciation of its magnitude.

See Palau Sant Jordi Picture on a Google Earth Map.

Monserrat Mountain: Barcelona Road Landscape

I took this picture of the Mountain of Montserrat from a gas station on my way out of Barcelona last weekend. As I had already mentioned Montserrat in my previous post about Torre Agbar, I decided to show this landscape image. Its jagged silhouette is an omnipresent travel company along the road as it extends through Bages, Anoia and Baix LLobregat comarques, in Barcelona province. You should know that Mare de Deu de Monserrat is the patroness of Catalonia, but that´s another story. Find out more about Montserrat Mountain.

See Monserrat Mountain Picture on a Google Earth Map.

Barcelona: As Seen From Tibidabo Park

Another panoramic view of Barcelona from Tibidabo Amusement Park, this time taken while walking down the stairs to a lower level and using an arch as a frame for the picture. I was standing on right side of the stairs trying to avoid the crowd, thus the asymmetrical result, but I like the background so I share it with you.

See Barcelona Tibidabo Amusement Park Picture on a Google Earth map.

Sagrada Familia: Sunset At The Passion Façade

I took this late afternoon picture just passing by Sagrada Familia Passion Façade the other day. 

It is hard to come up with good shots about this portico, I mean, it is hard to surprise people with a new approach, a different angle. So every time I see it I try to explore the scenes as if expecting Subirachs sculptures to adopt some secret pose nobody hadn´t seen before. 

If you use your imagination and you wait for the last sun rays to play with the angular figures on the wall, sometimes you may get your reward: notice how Nieodemus at Jesus' feet, in the upper image (some people say it is Subirachs, the sculptor himself) seems to stick his head out as if looking for the light. 

For a wonderful description of each scene and figure, visit this site, particularly check scenes 15 and 8 according to the enumeration given there.

See the Sagrada Familia Picture on a Google Earth Map

Barcelona Architecture: Agbar Tower by Nouvel

The Agbar Tower now known as Torre Glories by Jean Nouvel as seen from Sagrada Familia. Nouvel was inspired by Gaudi and the mountain of Montserrat (it reminds one of its famous dome-like hills). Many things have been said about the building, so I prefer that you check Agbar Tower or Glories Tower on Wikipedia for useful information.

See Agbar Tower by Jean Nouvel Picture on a Google Earth Map

Barcelona Port: The Tower of The Clock

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This is the Tower of the Clock as seen from Maremagnum. It dates back to 1772, when it carried a lantern instead of the present clock built in 1911. It is a pyramidal masonry tower located at the Moll dels Pescadors (Fishermen Pier), near La Llotja (Fish Auction Hall).

See Tower of the Clock Picture at Port of Barcelona on a Google Earth Map

Barcelona Tibidabo: The Big Wheel

Ferris Wheel at Tibidabo Amusement Park

Today we go back again to the mountains of Collserola ("one more time? Oh, no!"). I told you I would show you some other Tibidabo attractions. It´s the Big Wheel's turn. As in the case of the Roller Coaster, its size won´t beat any records, but the sight from the top does it all. Although I will show you a full size view, first I want you to sit down by my side and enjoy the ride live.

Tibidabo comes from latin tibi dabo meaning "I will give you", part of the words (according to St. Mathew) used by the devil to tempt Jesus from the top a mountain: «Haec omnia tibi dabo si cadens adoraveris me». Check previous posts Roller Coaster and Tibidabo Amusement Park.

See Picture of The Big Wheel at Tibidabo Amusement Park on a Google Earth Map

Barcelona Sculpture: Figure Holding Frame at Ronda Litoral

Today I present you with another sculpture located in Plaça dels Voluntaris, a square at Ronda Litoral, the main artery that runs along Barcelona coast. Just in front of Torre Mapfre and Hotel Arts we come across this curious figure holding a frame and covered in brush strokes of vivid colors, behind, a long corridor of poles that once were festooned with the flags of all the countries participating in Barcelona Olympic Games. More than 35.000 volunteers took part in the event, thus the name of the square. Please, check the original picture, maybe you like it better. If you prefer more detail see the sculpture from a different angle.

See Picture of Sculpture at Plaça dels Voluntaris on a Google Earth Map

Sagrada Familia: Floral Adornment

When you visit Sagrada Familia by Antoni Gaudi, it is easy to overlook minor details overwhelmed as you are by the emotional impact of this gigantic masterpiece of universal architecture. When in front of the Nativity Façade, which you can better appreciate sitting on the exterior wall of the premises, take a good look at this floral adornment at one side of the iron gates, notice the elaborate and incredibly realistic contour of the kelp-like metal work. I have to say that this is not the authentic color, of course. Check original picture here.

See Sagrada Familia Floral Adornment Picture on a Google Earth Map

Barcelona Sculpture: David and Goliath

Just in front of Hotel Arts and Torre Mapfre there is this funny sculpture called David and Goliath by Antoni Llena, Barcelona (1942). It is one of the 50 sculptures commissioned to several artists during the Olympic Games in 1992. Antoni Llena was already known because of his work with paper or plaster. As you can see, the face resembles a piece of cut-out paper, in fact it is an aluminum sheet standing on three metal tubes.

See David and Goliath Sculpture on a Google Earth Map

Columbus Monument in Barcelona: Silhouette

Today in Barcelona Photoblog I would like to repeat subject: Columbus Monument down Las Ramblas. It is Sunday and according to my statistics this day of the week I receive less visits, so, as apparently less people are watching I won´t indulged into long infos about Colón (you´ve got a previous Columbus post for that) and I will submit this picture of the column as seen from below in the only spot where the afternoon Sun wouldn´t ruin my photograph. You just see silhouettes but there´s something in the light that I like.

See Columbus Monument Picture on a Google Earth Map

[MY CONDOLENCES TO THE FAMILIES OF THE VICTIMS OVER THE EARTHQUAKE IN INDONESIA]

Tibidabo Amusement Park: Roller Coaster

Here is today's daily photo: The roller coaster at Tibidabo Amusement Park. In spite of being small it is located in such a way that you are able to see Barcelona at your feet so the sense of height increases. In the picture I tried to show the attraction and the background for you to get a better idea. Check these two other pictures: Roller Coaster A, Roller Coaster B. Some other day I will show you other Tibidabo attractions.

See Roller Coaster Picture at Tibidabo Amusement Park on a Google Earth Map

Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau: The Holy Cross

We go back to Hospital de Sant Pau to admire the ironwork at the main gates specially this reproduction of the Holy Cross reaching for the light like a sundial. Remember that the full name is Hospital de la Santa Creu (the original medieval building in carrer Hospital which united the first six Barcelona hospitals and built back in 1401) i Sant Pau (adopted from its benefactor's christian name to refer to the new modernist complex built by Domenech i Muntaner in 1902). To find out more check previous posts: Gargoyles and Modernisme in Barcelona.

See Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau Picture on a Google Earth Map

Barcelona City Walls: Drassanes

This would be just any other bunch of wild flowers growing whimsically on a plain wall, but it happens that we are talking about no ordinary kind of wall: this is the last testimony of Barcelona city walls demolished after 1864. A pretty well preserved section including some fortresses at the western corner of the old city limits facing Montjuic and next to Reials Drassanes (Royal Dockyards), turned into the Naval Museum or Museu Marítim of Barcelona. This gothic style building is one the most complete Medieval dockyards in the world. Later on, I will show you some pictures of the whole wall.

See City Walls and Reials Drassanes Picture on a Google Earth Map

Vikings at Tibidabo

On the lower level of Tibidabo Amusement Park in Barcelona you can see this small attraction for kids where some drakkar ships navigate in circles surrounded by menacing symbols of Norse mythology such as these heads which I wouldn´t dare to call dragons. If anyone knows what they really are feel free to post a comment.

See Tibidabo Amusement Park Picture on a Google Earth Map

Barcelona Architecture: Collserola Tower

445 metres above sea level and 288 meters high, Collserola Tower in the natural park of the same name is an emblematic symbol of Barcelona since 1992 Olympic Games. The telecommunications antenna by Sir Norman Foster & Partners is located near Tibidabo Amusement Park, and I suggest you arrive early and visit both (although they are near the city it is not probable that you climb up twice). From the tenth floor of the structure you can have even higher panoramic views of Barcelona City and neighbouring towns but you need fair skies for good visibility behind the surrounding glass walls. For technical details visit the official site. Maybe you would like to see a full size image

See Collserola Tower Picture on a Google Earth Map

Barcelona Tibidabo Amusement Park

Last Sunday I visited Tibidabo Amusement Park a leisure resort located at Barcelona highest point, inaugurated more than a hundred years ago. Although it is not among the most advanced in the world, Tibidabo is a must see in Barcelona because of its location with fabulous views over the city and beyond, as well as the combination of good service, key attractions and old classic charm. It used to be in private hands till not long ago and now it belongs to Barcelona City Council. I took dozens of pictures, but as this is a daily photoblog I will administer them wisely. Please, don´t miss the above link to the official site.

See Barcelona Tibidabo Amusement Park Picture and a closer look on a Google Earth Map