Picture of Statue at Plaça Catalunya in Barcelona, Spain

This is one of the many statues to admire at Plaça Catalunya (Catalonia Square), just in front of El Corte Inglés Shopping Center, the most famous chain of stores in Spain, which you can see there in the background. I showed you a panoramic view of the square where I am standing right now as taken from those windows you see on top of the building.

Satellite Image of Plaça Catalunya and El Corte Inglés on Google Maps.

Black Market at Barcelona Port

A sepia picture of Barcelona Port, one of the places with greater affluence of tourists and black market dealers. People from diverse origin concentrate around here and participate in what is known as top manta, a term derived from the small blanket where they display their merchandise. There is a sort of simple mechanism with cords over the blanket to enable them to pick everything up very fast and carry it all simulating a bag. Although a law was passed recently by the City Council to eliminate such practices the fact is that it is still very common around this area and the city center.

Satellite Image of Barcelona Port on Google Maps.

Kids and Fountain at Heron City Barcelona, Spain

Today I show you another image of some kids having a great time in front of those fountains you action by stepping on the marks on the floor. Remember I had a similar picture in this previous post where we talked about marketing gurus and designing of fountains at shopping centers or if you prefer it, there was also some other post about Heron City with info and links.

Satellite Image of Heron City Barcelona, Spain

Playing La Petanca in Les Corts, Barcelona

Not a striking Barcelona picture but a photograph about our customs, our people, one of the most popular games among our elders, La Petanca. The Greeks and the Romans were known to play with stone balls, and variants of those games were the origin of modern bowling, curling or in this case, "petanca". It was brought by sailors to Gaul or Gallia. 

Stone balls eventually became wooden balls and at present are made of steel. By the end of the XIX century it was played regularly in Le Midi, France. In fact, the name "Petanca" comes from French "pieds tanquees" (tight feet) as players must remain in that position when throwing the ball. It is simple in appearance but complex depending on who and how it is played. 

You must throw your ball pointing at a small wooden ball called boliche trying to stay close to it . It can be played between two or in groups, the one that leaves the ball closer to the boliche wins a point each time until you get 13 points. The image of retirees playing in Barcelona squares is as familiar to us as that of pigeons. This photo was taken this spring at a park in the district of Les Corts.

Satellite View of Les Corts in Barcelona, Spain

Barcelona Street Artist: Las Ramblas Cowboy

This picture was taken in March, as you can easily guess by the coats and jackets, but I felt the need to resume the street artist series. Let's see if I can go down to Las Ramblas soon and refresh my set. 

I guess this happens to many of us, that the most interesting places to shoot are downtown, sometimes quite out of your daily route to work. This year I am rediscovering Barcelona, I had never paid much attention to its history, I was missing that enthusiasm that only children or tourists show.

Satellite View of Las Ramblas in Barcelona, Spain

Maremagnum Walk: An Old Canvas

Resize and check in plain BW or aplying Duetone effect. Besides the post processing what I really like is the classic style of the man on the right and the perspective given by the planks on the floor and the columns. That in the background is a cable car tower. In case you don't know, Maremagnum is a big leisure and commercial area where you can find the Imax cinema, the Aquarium and a big shopping center (bought by Corio, a Dutch property group who paid 122 million euros). There was a previous post where I showed Maremagnum shopping center and this walk featuring some artists' beautiful paintings.

Satellite View of Maremagnum on Google Maps

Casa Amatller: Window Detail. Modernisme in Barcelona

As some of you remember there was a previous post here about Casa Amatller and another about Casa Batlló (the totally different wall you see on the right). I spoke about the clash of styles in this block known as the Illa de la Discòrdia (Block of Discord), but I did not illustrate the contrast. There you are, Casa Amatller façade and another picture where you can see a combination with Casa Batlló.

See a Satellite Picture of Paseo de Gracia on Google Maps.

Barcelona Forum: Under the Solar Panel

No, it is not the stairs scene from Battleship Potemkin by Einsenstein. This is the scalinata that leads to the base of the big solar panel in the Barcelona Forum area. So many tons of concrete, the stern, sober, majestic style reminds me of Socialist or Stalinist Architecture somehow. Check this other picture with my wife and my daughter on top of the stairs so you get a better idea.

Here is another post on the Barcelona Solar Panel.

Barcelona Zoo: I Wanna Go Home

Today I am experimenting with BW in this shot taken at Barcelona Zoo. The chimp in the picture seems to be sad and fed up, so I put words in his/her mouth: I wanna go home! or maybe I feel sorrow for you!. No matter how well conditioned zoos are, nothing can replace an animal's natural habitat, and we don´t have any right to do this just to satisfy our curiosity.

Explore Barcelona Zoo Satellite Image on Google Maps.

Update:

Barcelona Zoo is a charming fixture in the heart of our city. Founded in 1892 using animals from the private collection of Lluís Martí i Codolar, the zoo was inaugurated on September 24th, coinciding with the Feast of La Merce.

The zoo occupies a city block in the Parc de la Ciutadella near the picturesque Cascada fountain. It features several biozones that recreate habitats from tropical, temperate, and desert regions. The premises are home to around 300 species and 2000 animals. The collection includes mammals like giraffes, lions, tigers, gorillas, rhinos, kangaroos, camels, and anteaters; birds like pelicans, flamingos, and macaws; as well as reptiles like anacondas and komodo dragons. The zoo also cultivates over 300 plant species and is a habitat for diverse urban wildlife.

One crowd favorite used to be Snowflake, an extremely rare albino Gorilla. Snowflake arrived in Barcelona in 1966 after being captured by chance in the forests of Río Muni, in what is today Equatorial Guinea. He died as a venerable patriarch in 2003.

One of Barcelona Zoo's main attractions are its unique exotic animal collections. The zoo is home to Komodo dragons, Gila monsters, and other animals not commonly found in European zoos. Visitors can get close to giraffes and feed elephants by hand at scheduled times. The Terrarium contains diverse amphibians and reptiles species and there is also an extensive Aviary with more than 70 species of birds from different continents..

While Barcelona Zoo provides many benefits, the practice of housing wild animals for public display raises ethical questions. Critics argue captivity often falls short of meeting animals' natural needs and reflecting their true habitats. The zoo elephants' small enclosure, for instance, lacks the rich social structures and hundreds of square miles elephants roam in the wild. Some also believe resources spent on zoos would better serve conservation if directed to protecting natural ecosystems.

The Barcelona Zoo has not been without controversy. Critics have accused it of losing prestige due to a declining focus on conservation and research. The dismissal of zoo director Carme Maté, a primate specialist, led to complaints about Townhall prioritizing business interests over animals. The death of one of its elephants in 2008 also sparked protests, with activists and veterinarians arguing the remaining elephant, Susi, should be moved to a sanctuary. Politicians and activists criticized the zoo for keeping Susi in isolation and small enclosure. Despite petitions and proposals to relocate Susi, the Barcelona Zoo refused to part with its lone elephant.

Regardless of past controversies, the Barcelona Zoo continues to implement reforms that prioritize animal welfare, conservation, and education.

In recent years, the Barcelona Zoo efforts include:

1. Participating in nearly 100 European endangered species programs.
2. Over 85% of animal species classified as threatened by the IUCN Red List.
3. Nearly 30% of animals born at the zoo released back into the wild in recent years.
4. Over 1.5 million euros invested in research projects in the last decade, 50% focused on native species.
5. The Barcelona Zoo works closely with the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA) and the European Association of Zoos and Aquariums (EAZA) to promote wildlife conservation and habitat preservation. The zoo's Research and Conservation Program funds scientific studies and supports projects to protect threatened species globally.

Along with its conservation mission, Barcelona Zoo provides families and tourists an engaging day of fun, learning and animal encounters.

With its wide variety of species, the zoo aims to foster respect and appreciation for wildlife while also actively supporting habitat protection and breeding programs for endangered species worldwide. As one of Spain's most visited attractions, the Barcelona Zoo strives to inform the public about biodiversity and inspire visitors to join efforts to preserve nature. After more than a century of operation, the zoo remains committed to its mission of conservation, research, and environmental awareness.

Barcelona Tram

It is elegant, it is comfortable, it is modern, it is Barcelona Tram or Trambaix. As many other new modern projects in Barcelona, Barcelona Tram has supporters and detractors. Some people are delighted because it covers an area in the outskirts of the city that has been historically ignored regarding transportation, and some others, drivers for example, simply hate it, as many roads have been altered to make way for the trains. At the beginning, there were a lot of accidents: it was not strange to see a car take a turn and crash into the tram. If you want to see more pictures of the tram check this site.

Expiatory Temple of the Sacred Heart at Tibidabo, Barcelona

The Expiatory Temple of the Sacred Heart at Tibidabo mountain, was designed by architect Enrique Sagnier. First of all, back in 1886, the property of the land was donated by twelve distinguished gentlemen to San Juan Bosco who decided to build a hermitage, gothic in style and 8 meters high. 

The main crypt was not started until 1903 by the same Sagnier and finished partially many years later by his son. On the central tower there is a bronze statue built by José Miret in 1961, it is 7 meters and a half tall and weighs 4.800 kilos. The statue of Christ and the Sacred Heart spreading his open arms has become one of the main symbols of Barcelona. Here you can see a detail from the frieze at the portico.

Don Quixote in Santa Susanna (Maresme Coast, Barcelona, Spain)

Recently I drove to Santa Susanna Beach not very far from Barcelona on the Maresme Coast. After taking a swim and compulsory devouring the mandatory paella at a small restaurant about 20 meters away from the water, we walked along the main street trying to pace up with the tourists who lazily wandered up and down apparently going nowhere.

There was nothing I could think of for a good photo of Barcelona, when among the crowd I happened to see this ghostly Don Quixote (Don Quijote in Spanish), giving me a naughty smile like some goblin that no one but me could see. It's high season and street artists are working on the double.

PS: If someone knows this lady please tell her she really ruined my shot. Was she sticking her tongue out at me?.

Touristic Transport in Barcelona: Trixis or Taxi Bikes

Modern cities are collapsed with heavy traffic and Barcelona is no exception. A wonderful alternative, at least for tourists, is the use of Trixis or Taxi-Bikes.

Don´t worry someone will do the pedaling for you. No need to feel sorrow for the driver because the bike has an electrical engine to go uphill or counteract heavy loads like a sumo fighter, Ronaldo or Mike Tyson.

This day I was standing on the corner of Passeig de Gracia and Consell de Cent, getting ready to take a picture of Casa Rocamora, for my Catalan Modernisme collection, when the pedicab suddenly passed me by so soon that I was just able to catch half of it.

If you want to know about routes, fares or timetables check Movilidad ECO CITY

See Picture of Barcelona Trixi or Taxi Bike on a Google Earth Map.

Barcelona Wild Flowers

As you can see I am going wild with my posting so what better than wild flowers. 

I certify it is a picture taken somewhere in Barcelona, but if it weren't it doesn't really matter! I tried to capture them from a low angle as I did with daisies some time ago. I wish I had an image of a sundial but wild flowers have their own beauty too. 

If anyone happens to know the name please tell me.

Kid at Las Glorias Shopping Center

Every shopping center shall have a fountain, according to the marketing gurus. It shall be placed at the very center of the premises. Then there shall be McDonalds, KFC and Burger Kings. Kids shall come by the dozen. Let them kids splash or trample on water, happy parents prove to be big spenders.

The picture was taken in Las Glorias Shopping Center at Diagonal Avenue, near Agbar Tower. I like it because it was just a lonely kid staring at the jet of water in the middle of a hypnotic trance.

See Picture of Las Glorias Shopping Center on a Google Earth Map.

Glow on Snail

Just a snail.

What the heck does it have to do with Barcelona, nothing. But today I felt like improvising a little so I decided to grab the little animal from the grass and make it pose for my camera. I guess it is very hard to post a daily picture about Barcelona and its reality, someday I am going to run out of ideas, so I better start training.

Barcelona Port: Young Lady and Golondrinas

Strolling around the plank walk at La Rambla de Mar in Barcelona Port, everything seems so idyllic that you don´t need to have a sudden burst of inspiration to find good pictures. Not that this one is state-of-the-art photography, but I really like the solitude, the privacy she enjoys in her tiny, cozy territory at the wharf. 

The approaching ship is a sightseeing boat known as Las Golondrinas, covering the port and longer trips to the Forum area out of the harbor along the coastline at the other end of the city. 

The building in the background is Barcelona World Trade Center (WTC). Most cruises around the Mediterranean Sea depart from or stop over at this wharf.

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

Tibidabo Park in Barcelona: Woman and Child

I am going to be brief in my posting comments during weekends, as a way of relaxation. 

So summing up, this is a lady I came across at Tibidabo Amusement Park, here in Barcelona. Apparently she is standing for my camera, but in fact she had turned around to speak to her husband and adopted this sort of catwalk pose. 

I did not pay much attention at the moment of the picture but I got to like it in the end.

See Tibidabo Park on a Google Earth Map.

Barcelona Zoo: Dromedary Complains About the Heat

It is hot these days in Barcelona so even animals so well adapted as this dromedary at the zoo seem to be claiming for justice: no more sand! I want to be transfer to the penguin tank!

See Picture of Barcelona Zoo on a Google Earth Map.

Moll de la Fusta, Barcelona: Just Like a Painting

This can be the sequel of Lady at Rambla de Mar post. If you stand on the narrow plank walk and look to the other side while sitting on one of the comfortable benches you will enjoy something very similar to today's photograph. Take your time, stretch your legs at this oasis before you go again to Las Ramblas or Maremagnum's maelstrom. I happened to find this man rowing and I was very happy to see that he finally came nearer the sailboat. I went kind of: come on, come on, little to the left, no, no, no don´t heave that oar, wait don´t hurry...that's it! I got you! Now it looked the way I wanted it, like a painting. (See where he was first).

See Picture of Rambla de Mar and Moll de la Fusta on a Google Earth Map.