Blanes

Blanes is the one of oldest sea resorts of Spain which is located on the north-eastern coast of the country.

When I planed my vacation in Spain I chose the Blanes because of the city’s proximity to the Barcelona. Blanes is connected with Barcelona by the train and it will take about an hour from you to reach the capital of the Catalonia. Also Blanes is the first city from the north of the Barcelona where railway runs far away from the beaches. So, for me it was the most optimal option.

Blanes View

When you arrive to the Blanes the first thing which you will probably notice is a big rock on the beach which separates the city to the two parts. One of them is touristic with a lot of the cafes, bars, hotels and beaches and another is old part of the city with harbor and shops.

Blanes street

Climate

It’s worth mentioning that beach season in Blanes continues from May to October. Of course at the mean point of the summer here can be very hot. So if you don’t like extremely hot temperature then the preferable time for you to visit Blanes is autumn.

Graffiti in Blanes

Beaches

Blanes is well known for the city’s beaches which stretch along the cost for the few miles. It wide beaches which are separated one from another by the small bays.

The largest beach of the Blanes – is S’Abannel, the real pearl of the resort. You can find here everything what you need for the good time on the beach. The beach also provides sport activities like windsurfing.

Blanes beach

If you plan to visit Blanes with the family them you need to think about San Francesco beach. It’s suits for the rest with the children. At the beach there are playgrounds, the sea here is shallow and the beach is surrounded by the pine trees.

Promenade in Blanes

Also near the beach there is a viewpoint with the spectacular view to the nearest mountains.

Sights, excursions, entertainments

The coastal zone of the Blanes is typical for the Catalonian resorts. Along the beaches stretches the promenade with a number of cafes and bars.

Over the city dominates the medieval castle (btw, Blanes was inhabited from the ancient times ) which originates from 1002 year. From the towers of the castle you can enjoy by spectacular view to the city and the city’s surroundings.

House in Blanes

Also in the city you can take in the old gates, the palace De Kabera and the city’s Cathedral. Don’t miss the beautiful fountain of 15 century near the Cathedral.

But the main attraction of the Blanes is the city’s Botanical Graden known as Marimetra. In the garden was collected more the 3000 plants from the Spain, the Africa and the South America. The territory of the garden is divided into the three parts which represent different climate zones.

Botanical Garden in Blanes

As I mentioned Blanes is located not far away from Barcelona. So don’t miss your chances to visit this city and see such monuments as the Sagrada Familia or Park Guell. Moreover near the Blanes there is aqua park “Mariland” where you can see the show with the dolphins and sea lions. Between aqua park and “Mariland” there is a free bus.

Top 5 things you need to do in the Blanes

• 1. visit the Botanical Garden
• 2. have the boat trip to the Lloret de Mar
• 3. prowl along the promenade
• 4. rest on the beach
• 5. breath fresh sea air of Spain

Trier Market

One of the most interesting places in Trier - is a old Market which is located not far from the Porta Nigra. Trier’s Market is the city’s historical center. When you arrive to the area you will see so-called Market Cross which was established in 958 when Trier got the rights to conduct the market. To be exact it's a copy of the Cross, the original now can be seen in the city's musem.

Market Cross

Another significant monument on the market is a St Peter Fountain which appeared here in the 1595. This fountain was built by the Hoffman and topped by the statue of city’s patron. It’s very popular place among the tourist who intended to make a photo of the St Peter Fountain.

St Peter Fountain

Marketplace of Trier is surrounded by the few amazing buildings. Most prominent from them is a so-called Steipe which was built in the middle of the 15 century as a drinking house for the City Council’s members.

Steipe

May be since those times Trier Market is a place for different kind of celebrations. You will not be alone here. There are always a lot of people who prowl around or seated at the table at open street café. Next place of interest in the Trier - is a city’s Cathedral.

Trier Market

Trier Cathedral

Trier Cathedral complex (includes Cathedral and Church of our Lady) originates from 4 century. These two adjacent buildings were constructed in 326 during the reign of imperator Constantine the Great. Of course during the centuries of existence both buildings were under the constant modification and improvement.

According to the legend Trier Cathedral was built on the site of former palace of St. Helene (mother of a Constantine).

In the period of Roman Imperia collapse Franks burned the Cathedral what caused some level of church demolition.

Trier Cathedral

In the 6 century under the rule of bishop Nicetius Trier Cathedral was rebuilt but few centuries after, it was destroyed again during Normans attack to the city.

Next time the reconstruction of Trier Cathedral was started in 977 year and thereafter it continued until 12 century.

The altar of Trier Cathedral was consecrated on May 1, 1196, and since then the Cathedral Consecration feast has been celebrated of May 1 every year.

Church of our Lady

Another significant part of Cathedral chapel for the tunic of Christ was built at the beginning of the 18 century. After that a lot of renovation projects were conducted to support Cathedral in good conditions but they did not chage the view and design of the Cathedral.

The most important relic of the Cathedral is the Holy Tunic. This relic stored in the special chapel which is called Heiltumskammer. According to the legend St. Helena discovered this tunic in 4 century during her trip to the Jerusalem and brought it to the Trier.

During centuries this relic was hidden from the eyes. Even more. In 1196 year tunic was walled up before the Cathedral Altar consecration. It’s very hard to explain why and only one explanation I have is that in those turbulent times the church’s authorities were anxious about the safety of the relic.

First time tunic was presented in 1512 by the order of the imperator Maximilain. Last time it was displayed for visitors in the 1996 when in the center of the Cathedral was put glass shrine with the relic inside.

When you visit Trier Cathedral don’t forget to visit Cathedral’s treasury where hold a lot of relics. The treasury’s collection was formed during the centuries and contains a lot of masterpieces which were made mostly by the German masters.

Trier Cathedral

Interior

Initially the cathedral’s interior was very gloomy. This corresponded to the external view of Cathedral in the Middle Ages but in the 18 century was decided to adorn the interior in style of baroque. Current organ in the interior was set in the 1974.

Imperial Baths Trier

Imperial Baths in Trier is one of biggest baths of Antiquity. (I wonder, whether it bigger than baths in Rome?) It was conceived by imperator Constantine the Great who had the residence in the city in the first half of 4-th century but was finished by Constantine’s descendents.

These baths were the part of imperial palace. In Trier there is another bath complex which is even bigger then Imperial Baths but less impressive.

In the Middle Ages the baths were included into the city’s defense system and served as the bastion. Also the baths served as the city’s gate until 19 century.

Entire complex was explored during the several excavations and original structure of the baths is now clearly visible. Baths include several rooms, places for heating and the underground passage which is most interesting part of the complex.

Sagrada Familia

Barcelona is a city of modern architecture. And my be the most famous building in Barcelona, one of the city symbols, is a Sagrada Familia church which is still has not been completed but which attracts attention from city visitors.

There are a few architects who worked on church’s construction. Among them most prominent name is the name of Antonio Gaudi for whom the Sagrada Familia was the meaning of his life.

Another very important name is name of Josep Maria Bocabella who was not the architect but whom we call the “father of Sagrada Familia”. Bocabella was a local business man from Barcelona. He was a books publisher. And he after his trip to Rome conceived to build in the city the church dedicated to the Holy Family. And he was the first backer of the building.

The first architect of Sagrada Familia was Francisco de Paula del Villar who conceived to build church in the popular for those times neo gothic style. But soon after the beginning he left the project since he has been disagreed with Bocabella how to build Sagrada Familia. (Definitely Bocabella was trying to interpose into construction. )

Thereafter Antonio Gaudi joined a project. Construction of Sagrafa Familia was very slow. Partly it can be explained by the lack of finance. Sometimes even Gaudi was participating into the funds gathering. About it Gaudi spoke that his customer a God and he does not hurry.

Until his death in 1926 Guadi made crypt, apse and porch before the Sagrada Familia. Also Guidi led the constriction of church’s school which situated near the Sagrada Familia. Civil war in Spain which took place in 1930-years caused the stop of Sagrada Familia’s construction in Barcelona. And during bombarding of the city all Gaudi models of the Sagrada Familia were demolished.

The work was resumed in 1954 year. It’s still in the progress. Spanish government promises to finish the Sagrada Familia before the 150 years of Gaudi anniversary.

Architecture of Sagrada Familia

Sagrada Familia has canonical forms for Christian church (so-called Latin Christ). Apse of the church has seven chapels. Gaudi saved initial plans of Sagrada Familia but changed considerably proportions and looks of the church.

Sagrada Familia has 18 towers. The highest tower (170 meters) devoted to the Lord. This tower encircled by 4 smaller towers. The tower devoted to the St. Maria erected over the Apse of Sagrada Familia. The rest of towers devoted to the 12 apostles.

The crypt of the Sagrada Familia has been finished in the 1885 year. The crypt surrounded by the superficial ditch which saves crypt from the dampness and undesirable light.

The apse of the Sagrada Familia has been finished in the 1895 year. The most interesting part of the apse is the drain which has forms of some examples of the Catalonian flora and fauna.

But most excellent part of Sagrada Familia is the façade. I don’t have enough of word to describe it. Just look at the pictures of façade which I made during my trip to Barcelona. You can stay near façade endlessly and just enjoy by it.

Façade of Sagrada Familia symbolizes Belief, Hope and Charity. This facade was finished by Gaudi.

Another famous facade of Sagrada Familia – The Facade of Passion which was built in the middle of 20 century. Probably you will see it facade first if you approach the Sagrada Familia from the Diagonal Avenue.

Some tips about Sagrada Familia

The church address - Carrer de Mallorca 401

The nearest metro station – Sagrada Familia

Working hours from April to September – 9:00-20:00

You can buy the tickets to Sagrada Familia near the main entrance.

Trier Porta Nigra

Trier is a small historical city which lies on the border between a Germany and Luxemburg. In fact Trier is an oldest city in Germany. According to the legend the city was founded in 1300 years before the Rome and it will stand another 1300 years after the Rome.

Of course this beautiful legend is not a true. Trier has been founded in the first century of our era as a Romans military camp in the region. After a time Trier became a very important city in Roman Empire. Here was one of the headquarters of the Roman Emperor who lived in Trier when he run a military campaign in the western part of the Empire.

Today there are a lot of Romans monuments in the Trier and the most well known from them in the world is Porta Nigra. Porta Nigra is an ancient city gates. It’s most preserved ancient gate from the north of the Alps. It was built during the Roman times and still in very good conditions.

You can pass through the Porta Nigra as it did the Romans 2000 years ago or you can go inside of the structure and lift to the high level of the gates as it did Romans guard 2000 years ago. After that you can sit in nearby café and enjoy the prefect view of the Porta Nigra. Also you can order excursion which will be conducted by man dressed as Roman soldiers.

Porta Nigra was built without usage of cement. Big massive blocks were attached one to another with the big iron nails. In Middle Ages the Franks which captured the city pulled out some of those nails what led to the possible fall of entire construction. But Porta Nigra was converted into the church and such was preserved for thankful inheritors. Some facts about the Porta Nigra in Trier. The gate’s wide is 36 meters, hight – 30 meters. It’s biggest Roman gates in the now days.