Barcelona Discount Card

Barcelona Discount Card gives you opportunity make a great savings during your stay in the city. As for me it’s a paramount thing which you need to buy when you plan to visit this amazing place.

There are 3 types of Barcelona Card: 3, 4, and 5 days. In additional to the entrance’s discounts (and in some cases free) to the well-known museums in the city you can get discount to the bus tours in the city. And also with Barcelona card you can also use public transport for free. Isn’t a great discount deal?

You can buy Barcelona Discount Card by following one of the links below, and thereafter redeem it at the airport or at one of the our locations in the city. Have a good stay in Barcelona!!!

The Nativity Facade

Most impressive part of Sagrada Familia is a Nativity Facade. It seems, that Gaudi was intending demonstrate by it the all plastic power that could be achieved in Sagrada Familia.

The work under the Nativity Facade started in February 1894 and lasted until the end of the 20th century first quarter.

Four bell towers of facade were completed in 1929, their pinnacles in 1932. The work under the sculptures of facade continued during the next few years.

Photo Nativity Facade

The Nativity Facade has three porticos and four bells. Porticos are dedicated to the three canonical virtues. Central portico dedicated to the Charity, the portico of the right side dedicated to the Faith and the portico from the left is dedicated to the Hope.

The central portico is also called Love. The portico designed as if it is a big cave and depicts the scenes of Birth of Jesus

The Apse of Sagrada Familia

The Apse of Sagrada Familia has been constructed just after the completion of the temples crypt. Gaudi wanted to dedicate the Apse to the Virgin but it was dedicated to the Saint Joshep according to the wishes of the main sponsor of the project - Boccabella. It was designed in Gothic style but even in the rigorous Gothic the Gaudi's hand is appearing.

Photo Apse of Sagrada Familia

Placa Real Barcelona

It’s one of the secret places in the city. Placa Real in Barcelona huddles to the Gothic Quarter and La Rambla. It’s very easy to miss it when you walk along the boulevard and I found it only from the second attempt.

The square was built in the middle of the 19 century in place of old monastery. It was the times in Spain when the Church was separated from the State and many of the old churches and monasteries in Spain were demolished.

Placa Real Barcelona. Photo provided by the AndriySadivskyy under CC BY 3.0 license

Placa Real has been built very quickly but its decoration was postponed for a time. And I think it’s was a judicious decision from the city’s authorities because this work in the future was assigned to the young Gaudi.

I think that is why the Placa Real today could be reckoned as one of the graceful places in the Barcelona.

Placa Real Barcelona at night. Photo provided by the Serge Melki from Indianapolis, USA under CC BY 3.0 license

Gothic Quarter Barcelona

Gothic Quarter – is an oldest part of the Barcelona. It originates from the Roman settlement and located between popular La Rambla and La Ribera. Someone claims that the Gothic Quarter has more ancient roots because according to one theory the city was founded by the Phoenician general Hannibal Barca.

Place de Sant Jaume. Photo provided by the Serge Melki under CC BY 2.0 license

In any way you can see the most ancient buildings of Barcelona here. Just behind the Royal Palace there are remains of the Roman walls dated by the 3 century. At Carrer de Paradis, 10 you can see the ruins of temple of Augustus and a lot of other ruins a spotted along the Gothic Quarter.

Of course, this area is famous by its Gothic heritage. After all it’s called – “Gothic Quarter”.

My favorite place at Gothic Quarter

You can start your excursion from the Placa Nova and the Portal del Bisde which served in the 1 century as the city gate. Here you can find a lot of interesting buildings like Palau Episcopal (The Bishop's Palace) and Casa Arcadia (The house of Archdeacon).

The last building is famous for its courtyard and don’t miss the mailbox which is decorated by the small sculpture of tortilla.

If you have some luck you will see the national Catalonian dance sardana which is performed at the Pla de la Seu in front of the Barcelona Cathedral (not to be confused with Sagrada Familia). To see it you need be here at Sunday. Also if you plan to visit flea market of Barcelona you should be here at Thursday.

Gothic mailbox

Next your goal – is a Placa de Rei where you can find the Palau del Llocient – nice example of the Catalonian Gothic. It’s former residence of the vice-king of the Catalonia. But before the Spain was united it was the Royal Palace of the Aragon Kings.

Inside of this building don’t miss famous Salo de Tunell hall where Isabella and Ferdinand greeted the Columbus after his epic voyage. Also in this complex you can visit Historical Museum of the Barcelona.

At the Placa St Jaume square, the former Roman Forum in Barcelona, now you can see the City Hall (Casa de la Ciutat) and the Palau de la Generalited which is now the residence of the Catalonian Government. Both building are open for visitors. Of course you should check the open hours.

The Palau de la Generalitat. Photo provided by the Generalitat de Catalunya under CC BY 3.0 license

Between this square and Rambla there is small busy Placa Sant Josep Oriot square which is occupied by the cafes. There you can have a rest and drink a cup of coffee.

Gothic Quarter Barcelona sights

Barcelona Cathedral. This Cathedral has been built at the Roman Temple place. The construction started in 1298 and was finished in the beginning of the 20 century. Of course, cathedral was refurbished few times.

Place de Sant Juame Square. As I already mentioned it’s a political center of the Barcelona.

Place del Rei. Photo provided by the JosepBC under CC BY 3.0 license

Picasso Museum. Picasso spent his childhood in Barcelona. Here he started to get first lessons of the painting so it’s no wonder that Barcelona has Picasso Museum which occupied five Gothic buildings.

Eglesia de Santa Maria del Mar Church. This could be counted as most graceful church in Barcelona. Its construction has been started in 1384 and finished only after 55 years. Very small terms for such buildings. This church also is famous for its acoustics, so here often conducted the concerts including the jazz music.

Roman heritage in Barcelona. Photo provided by the Angela Llop under CC BY 3.0 license

This list is not pretended to be full. I just want to entice you to visit Gothic Quarter in Barcelona and I’m sure that you will form your own.

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.

Monastery of Poblet

Monastery of Poblet is a unique example of the middle ages architecture. The complex was in the one moment the abbey, the fortress and the royal palace. Later the Monastery of Poblet was converted to the pantheon of the royal dynasty of the Aragon kingdom.

Located the Monastery of Poblet in the Spain, not far from the city of Tarragona. (the distance is about 20 kilometers). A monastery situated in the wonderful place in the surrounding of the vineyards.  Also near the monastery start few mountain routes so if you like walking you can enjoy this activity during your visit of Poblet.

Monastery of Poblet recently was restored (it was demolished in the middle of the 19 century)  and now Poblet has very good conditions. I personally was impressed by the inner courtyard of the monastery with small garden and beautiful fountain. The main church of the monastery is breathtaking too with its 14’s century altar and the lines of royal tombs.

I can mention only one lack of the monastery. You can pass inside the monastery only with excursion. It’s not the problem but the problem that the excursions only in Spanish or catalan languages.

The King’s Gate of Poblet

The main entrance to Poblet is the King’s Gate. It’s a significant example of fortifications of 16 century. Over the main arch you can see the Catalonian kings’ coat of arms which is supported by angels and lions. Near the king’s insignia you can read the king’s motto which claims that this building was built during the king Pedro of Aragon reign.

The flawless stonework, façade, loopholes turn this gate into the magnificent example of military architecture.

The Courtyard of Poblet

The nice gate in the Romanic style leads to the Courtyard of Poblet. The kluatr of Poblet is the yard with portico and with the beautiful garden in the center. The oldest galleria was built in the 12 century. Others were built a century after. Also in the middle of the yard you can see the magnificent fountain which as a gallerias belongs to the Romanic style.

The main church of Poblet

The main church of Poblet was built keeping up the canonical traditions. It has three naves which separated one from another by columns. Two from three naves belong to the Romanic style and one to the Gothic style. The main altar of the church is a stone slab which was placed here from the monastery beginning.

The main church of Poblet is the royal shrine of Catalonian kings. Here, for example, there is the sarcophagus of famous Pedro Conqueror who enlarged the Catalonia to the maximum borders.