Tag Archives: Spanish History

Barcelona’s Picasso Museum

The Picasso Museum in Barcelona contains over 4000 works of art from Picasso and focuses on his formative years and his connection to Barcelona. It was really interesting to see paintings and sketches from when Picasso was as young as 9-years-old, to see how his art changed and progressed over time, and how he was influenced by the various artists he met and studied. Continue reading Barcelona’s Picasso Museum

Gaudí’s Park Güell

When Antoni Gaudí obtained the degree of architect, Elies Rogent, director of Barelona’s Architectural School quipped: “We’ve either given this degree to a lunatic or a genius. Only time will tell.” 

For many people, when you think of Barcelona, images of Gaudí’s Park Güell come to mind. You might not know its name, but you’re probably familiar with photos taken from its famous viewing terrace. The colorful tiles of the iconic serpentine bench and the fantastical gatehouses in the foreground with Barcelona’s rooftops and the sea beyond. It’s synonymous with Barcelona and it’s no surprise it’s one of the top five tourist attractions in the city. Continue reading Gaudí’s Park Güell

Barcelona’s Not So Gothic Quarter

It may be a surprise to learn that much of Barcelona’s Gothic Quarter (Barri Gótic) is not what it seems. During the latter half of the 19th century and just prior to the International Exhibition in 1929, the heart of the once drab medieval quarter was completely transformed through a massive restoration project. A new Neo-Gothic Quarter was created using real Gothic stonework reconfigured around seven real Gothic buildings, but it also included several new buildings constructed in the Neo-Gothic style. The quarter was essentially reinvented as a tourist attraction to help project a positive image of the city for the International Exhibition. Continue reading Barcelona’s Not So Gothic Quarter

Barcelona Cathedral

The Barcelona Cathedral (La Seu) is one of the finest Gothic buildings in Barcelona as well as one of the largest and most impressive religious building in all of Spain. It is located in the center of Barcelona’s Barri Gòtic (Gothic Quarter), near the famous Las Ramblas. Continue reading Barcelona Cathedral