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Monuments in Barcelona
Visiting Barcelona it's hard to leave its sunny beaches, but once you do, you'll see that there are many interesting monuments further into the city as well. There's the bullet-shaped skyscraper – Agbar Tower, representing modern architecture in Barcelona, the legendary Camp Nou football stadium which is home ground to the famous FC Barcelona but most importantly many buildings by Barcelona's most prominent architect – Antonio Gaudi. His Bellesguard is an authentic Medieval tower reworked in his characteristic organic style in 1900. Gaudi also designed many houses such as the ever popular Casa Calvet, Casa Milа, Casa Vicens and Casa Batllo. The greatest attraction however, is Park Güell – a truly magical place with outstanding natural surroundings and many Gaudi's masterpieces.
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Agbar Tower
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Address: Avignuda Diagonal, 211
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The glittering monumental Agbar Tower is the ultimate expression of the modern soul of Barcelona. The characteristic bullet-like shape of the building symbolises the progressive spirit and optimism about the future which permeates the Catalonian capital.
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Triumphal Arch
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Address: Passeig Luís Companys
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Arc de Triomf is an elegant brick entrance to the Catalonian capital, constructed on the occassion of the 1888 World Exhibition by Josep Vilaseca. It’s decorated in the Mudejar style and features a collection of coats of arms representing all provinces of Spain, with that of Catalonia occupying the symbolic central spot. The sides of the arch are adorned with four statues of women representing Glory. Other stone carvings adorning the structure refer to other countries attending the Expo and constitute a way of Barcelona giving them thanks for their contribution.
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L'Eixample District
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Address: Passeig de Gràcia, 1
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In the mid-19th Century, Barcelona entered a period of rapid expansion. In order to legally manage the uncontrolled spilling of the urban settlement beyond the Medieval walls of the city, a new urbanisation plan was devised by Ildefons Cerdà. His idea was to create a whole new district based on a grid structure of streets running horizontally and vertically, forming squares at crossing points. Cerdà planned to fill the block squares with residential space with communal gardens and playgrounds for children. Although the concept of communal gardens was never realised, the application of the main ideas of the plan led to the creation of the trademark district of modern Barcelona. L'Eixample was constructed between 1860 and 1920, luckily coinciding with the boom of Catalan Modernism; some of the most famous examples of the trend are to be found in the district.
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Casa Ametller
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Address: Passeig de Gràcia, 41
Phone: +34 93 216 01 75
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Designed by the Modernist architect Puig i Cadafalch in the last years of the 19th Century, Casa Amatller is part of what’s commonly referred to as Illa de la Discòrdia – 'block of discord' – which is a group of three Modernist buildings located in the same residential block. The other two are Casa Lleó Morera and Casa Batlló; all three of them display exceptional artistic and aesthetic value, but the styles in which they’re built radically clash. The design of Casa Amatller displays clear influence of the Central European Gothic, particularly visible in the pyramid-shaped; a certain dose of the Catalonian Gothic shows in the arching of the windows. However, the entire building is essentially Modernist. Although the interior can’t be visited, the view from the street is well worth the trip.
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Casa Lleó-Morera
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Address: Passeig de Gràcia, 35
Phone: +34 93 488 01 39
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Casa Lleo Morera is a project of the famous architect Lluis Domenech i Montaner, an astonishing result of a remodelling plan of the old Rocamora house from 1864. Upon its completion in 1902, the magnificent Modernist work featured a facade and ground floor decorated with a variety of sculptures by such artists as Eusebi Arnau. At the base of the first floor tribune sat a group of sculpted female heads. Much of this original ornamentation was destroyed during the construction of a shop on the ground floor. The stone female heads were recovered by the shop manager and later sold to Salvador Dali who used them to adorn the patio of his own Museum in Figueras. After partial destruction during the Spanish Civil War, Casa Lleo Morera was carefully restored in the 1980s.
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Dona i l'Ocell
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Address: Parc de l'Escorxador
Phone: +34 93 285 38 34
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La Dona i L'Ocell, literally translating as ‘the woman and the bird,’ is a sculpture by Joan Miró. It’s situated beside a small lake in Parc de l'Escorxador, in the Eixample. Featuring a massive 22 metres of height, La Dona i L'Ocell is very well visible from far off. Commissioned as an element of municipal art initiative, it was unveiled in 1893. An abstract creation typical of Miró, it was considered very radical at the time. The most innovative part of the installation was the covering in colourful pieces of a broken mosaic, a technique later termed trencadís.
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Font Màgica de Montjuïc (The Magic Fountain)
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Address: Passeig Maria Cristina
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An early version of Font Màgica, ‘magic fountain,’ was assembled in Ciutadella Park as part of the preparations for the World Fair of 1888. Unfortunately, the effect it produced at the time didn’t quite match its creators expectations. Another attempt was made before the World Expo of 1929, and this time, it proved successful. The fountain was relocated to Montjuïc and it’s there that it continues to astonish passers-by every summer night. Displays of colourful light are coordinated with the movement of water, which creates an effect of watter dancing to the rhythm of light and music accompanying the show. Colours and shapes change constantly to the delight of the public.
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Fossar de les Moreres
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Address: Placa Fossar de les Moreres
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Fossar de les Moreres is one of two large cemeteries in close proximity to Basílica de Santa Maria del Mar. It’s of immense historical and symbolic significance to the people of Catalonia. The cemetery is the final resting place of the Catalonia soldiers who died fighting the troops of King Felipe V in a war which concluded in Catalonia’s defeat and loss of special rights. An official plaque with a commemorative poem on the wall of the cemetery pays tribute to the fallen. On September 11th, which is Catalonia’s national holiday, the cemetery holds an official ceremony during which representatives of the government lay wreaths at the central monument.
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