At the beginning of April I went to
Barcelona
on a business trip. During these three days I tried to sacrifice every
single free hour before and after the fairs to sight see
Barcelona
. I didn’t have much time to sleep or have rest but it paid off.
Late morning I got to the airport in
Barcelona
by plane from
Wroc³aw
through
Munich
. Straight from the terminal there is an Aerobus to the city centre by
which I managed to get to the first stop – Placa de Espanya –
within 30 minutes for 3,75EUR. The huge square is a perfect place to get
on to the underground that is the best way of traveling in
Barcelona
. One-ride ticket for 1,20EUR can be
bought either in a ticket-office or in an automatic machine. I got off on
the second stop of the green line and reached the Parallel Station from
which I got to the hotel of the same name nearby.
Without any delays I left the hotel room and walked towards the Montjuic
hill that was located not far from there. I covered all the way to the top
along paths and partly along the side space of a road. The way up is a
little bit steep, what makes it really exhausting, but the higher I was
the more beautiful views I could admire. On the top of the hill there is
the
Montjuic
Castle
where you can get over a drawbridge. The entrance to the castle is free
except for the insides where a military museum can be found, however, I
didn’t sight see it. Although it is hard to notice the hill with the
castle from the city centre, there is a great overview of the city, harbor
and the sea from the castle.
Going down the hill I went through the gardens, that were already empty
at 8 p.m., passed the Olympic stadium and got to the
National
Palace
. Quite a lot of people sat on the stony stairs with me. I assumed that
the tourists admire view on Placa
de Espanya but after a few minutes I realized that all of them were
waiting for the water and lights show. I knew it always took place in
summer but not in April. At 8.30 p.m. sharp the fountains ejected huge
amounts of water up. It was getting dark
when all the streams of water were flashed with lights. At that time I
appreciated the tripod I had taken with me. Going gradually down the
stairs and stopping at lower levels I could take photos of the colorful
fountains which were becoming more and more effective. The show was
finished after an hour as suddenly as it was started and I got back to the
hotel by tube.
The next day early morning I went towards the city centre on foot. At
first there was an empty at that time Las Ramblas alley. I understood at
once that I had to get back here but if not in the evening, it must be at
least in the afternoon. Without tourists, artists and sellers Las Ramblas
is just a usual street, not a promenade full of life. The
Old
City
with its cathedral was astonishing even in the morning and Spanish people
rushing to work at that time were much more larger group than single
tourists like me. Moving further I got to
the
Citadel
Park
. However, before I found myself deeply in the garden paths I had left the
park for a moment to see more closely the Arc del Triomf that is located
at the end of the alley of palms.
The
Citadel
Park
was being renovated and some parts were separated with a fence, but
despite all of this it was still woth to walk in the sunrise through the
fields of green which creates an oasis of silence and peace in the middle
of a city. I really wanted to see the waterfall which was designed among
others by Gaudi but unfortunately, it was also being renovated. Without
its squirting and floating streams of water the cascade was not fully
displayed but the neo-baroque construction and sculptures are impressive
and with a doze of imagination let us hear the splashing water that would
make the piece of art alive. On the lake nearby there are usually some
boats floating, however,
during my visit all of them were immobilized in the middle of the pond.
Because I didn’t have that much time I had only a few minutes to
watch this charming water pond.
Another place I managed to visit that morning was Barceloneta, where
narrow streets and low houses with numerous balconies create a familiar
atmosphere. This suburb of
Barcelona
is located at the seaside and thanks to this I could go to the beach. I
found a few shells and some people taking a sunbath despite early hours.
While getting back to the hotel, I passed the harbor and Christopher
Columbus’ column. I also covert a short part of Las Ramblas which
was starting its usual life. I was able to restart my sight seeing tour
only after the fairs I came to.
In the afternoon I went to the Lesseps Station by tube to get to the
Guell
Park
. This piece of work made by Antonio Gaudi is on the USENCO list so I
expected entrance fees. But thanks to the fact that my visit in
Barcelona
was paid out of season it was completely free. Famous sculptures –
features that are characteristic for the
Guell
Park
like mosaics and scenic terrace with a long bench were occupied by huge
crowds of young people so much that it was hard to take photos. Sight
seeing of a central part of the park was a little less attractive because
of that. But fortunately, the park is big enough to stay away from crowds
and watch the pieces of work by Gaudi.
Walking across
Barcelona
for the rest of the afternoon and evening I managed to see a few more
pieces of art by Gaudi that are on the UNSECO list. Some of them, like
Casa Vicens, I watched just
from outside but others, like famous Casa Mila I saw from inside as well.
Of course, you have pay for entrance – the ticket is 8EUR. We were
inside when it occurred that used safety means are comparable to those at
the airport. Luggage scanning and going through the gates may be necessary
but it spoils the pleasure of sight seeing in some part. In addition all
the rucksacks and bags have to be left in the left-luggage office. With
all these precautionary measures it’s surprising that one may take a
camera and take photos with any additional fees. You can move around Casa
Mila only along the indicated path and in one direction – incredible
number of guards watch so that people obeyed the rules. In some places
number of guards is larger than number of tourists.
The first stage is a lift ride to the highest level from which you are
directed to the roof. Unlike the roofs of ‘usual’ houses you
may not also watch magnificent views of the area but also chimneys and
air-shafts shaped with delicacy. From the roof of Casa Mila I can see the
next point of me trip – Sagrada Familia. But before that I was led
through a few rooms of Casa Mila arranged in old fashion, which looked as
if they were still lived in. Bed-rooms, living-rooms, bath-rooms, rooms of
the service, kitchen and children room were all equipped in necessary
furniture and accessories, in this way, they became a sort of heritage
park for this house.
Undoubtedly, Sagrada Familia is one of the symbols of
Barcelona
that has to be seen. Unfortunately, lack of time made me to watch this
building just from outside. From a distance Sagrada Familia seems to be
huge, however, watching it more closely it is hard to compare it with
anything else as you can see only particular parts of the church. It is
impossible to admire the piece of work made by Antonio Gaudi in the late
years of his life as a whole. Currently it is still
being worked at, although it started to be raised over a hundred years
ago. In spite of fact that it was assumed to have all the works completed
by 2020, it seems that Sagrada Familia will never be finished. Well, it
might be a destination for the greatest piece of art by one of the
greatest artists, who changed and corrected the project of his life work
for many times.
It was already late when I passed another house by Gaudi – Casa
Batllo, while coming back to the hotel. Because of its characteristic form
and style this perfectly illuminated building is easy to be distinguished
from others in the neighborhood. I also managed to walk along the whole
Las Ramblas filled with a typical night life. Well, not until the third
attempt I understood why so many people choose this promenade in
Barcelona
. For me it was a last touch of
Barcelona
during this three-day meeting as the next day I had no opportunities to
discover new places. In the morning I had to pack my stuff in order to get
to the airport just after the fairs. My first adventure with the capital
of
Catalonia
came to its end but I hope the next meeting will be possible in the
future.
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