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