Barcelona

Barcelona, Sunday 15th to Wednesday 19th May

We seem to have been flat out trying to see everything in Barcelona and have fallen behind on blogging - so here goes a catch up.

On the way to Barcelona we stopped at Pamplona to look at the site of the running of the bulls. I think you would need to be a bit mad to take part in the real thing - but many people do. The statue was enough for us.

It was good to finally arrive in Barcelona to fine weather. It hasn't rained here now for 5 days in a row. The days are fine and about 19 - 24 degrees so very pleasant. Many of the locals still get around in jackets as it is obviously still chilly by their standards.

Barcelona city has about 1.6 million people in the "city limits" and around 6 million altogether in the greater city. So its huge and bustling. On the Sunday night we arrived the city was celebrating winning a local football competition and there were people everywhere. Down near the port in Barceloneta where we were staying it was really "pumping" with a full night of partying expected. Being foreign and old (not necessarily in that order) we just observed for a while and then left them to it. Had our first proper Mojito and paella in a seaside restaurant - teriffic!

Young people "pumping".

Older, more foreign, people with paella (but happy).

We've had a good Gaudi fix spread over several days, visiing Parc Guell (originally a housing development), La Pedrera (apartment building), Casa Batllo (a town house), and Sagrada Familia (cathedral). All are Gaudi creations and absolute works of creative genius even over 100 years after first conceived. The Sagrada Familia (Holy Family) cathedral has to be the standout even though still unfinished. It has had a few setbacks along the way including Dali being hit and killed by a tram while still in early stages of construction, all the working drawings being destroyed in an arson attack during the Spanish civil war, various other wars and economic trials. A bit like the stories of many ancient cathedrals of old. There is work underway now and a plan to complete it by 2026.

The 3 million + visitors every year pay 15 euros each so there is a bit of a "property development fund" available. (For info of NBC it ticks all the boxes - central to the community, visible, seats 350+ (in fact over 8,500)).

Sagrada Familia, the mostly finished facade.

Inside Sagrada Familia.

Inside Sagrada Familia.

Casa Batllo facade.

Casa Batllo fireplace nook.

La Perdrera.

Other Barcelona highlights so far have been:

Montserrat

A mountain near Barcelona with "serrated" peaks, hence the name. There is a Benedictine monastery (still in use), a Basilica, and many associated buildings. Nowadays there are also gift shops and a small market, something of a change of emphasis from the original. The site is fascinating and the views on a good day are amazing. There are many ways to reach the top including an aerial cable car, a rack railway, and a funicular. Sadly we didn't use any of these but went there instead by bus on the road.

The Basilica at Montserrat houses a "black Madonna". We were told that the Madonna was not always black but became that way due to the soot from the many, many candles lit by the faithful over the years. 

Barcelona beach

Artificial beach - great fun - paddled but didn't swim this time. The place to be seen, unless you are old and/or not in such good shape.

Beautiful people (mostly).

Created by a "sandcastle busker". Yes he did expect a donation for us taking the picture.

Montjuic

Literally Jews Mountain. This hill overlooks Barcelona so has terrific views. It's topped by a castle, the guns of which have been used  on several occasions to bombard the city and put down popular uprisings (back in the 19th century and earlier - guns no longer in going condition!). On the way to the top you can find many interesting things including the 1992 Olympic stadium, various museums, botanical gardens. Montjuic made for a very cheap outing - 0.95 euro each way on the metro and bus, and surprise free entry to the castle. (It was International Museums Day!)

Again there were cable car options to get to the top (three separate ones!) but sadly missed out on them.

Catalan flag on Montjuic overlooking the city.