Barcelona Known as Ciutat Vella, the Heart of the City
Until the end of the XIX century, Barcelona comprised the are now known as Ciutat Vella , or the Old City. This district is mainly composed of the Gothic Quarter, La Ribera, La Rambla and El Raval, and is famous for its historic monuments, narrow streets and vaguely bohemian atmosphere. Nowadays, antique dealers, bookshops, restaurants and the most original of shops add to the interest of this historic quarter.
The Gothic Quarter is the core of the Medieval city which was bounded by walls until the middle of the XIX century. Through the maze of old streets we come to the Cathedral, the origins of which date back to the XIII century. Nearby, the placa del Rei is the historic center of the district, with Gothic buildings which were an integral part of the Palau Major, the palace which was the residence of the Catalan Kings, the Salo del Tinell, the Chapel of Santa Agata and the Palau del Lloctinent. This district is the historical and political center of Barcelona. In the placa Sant Jaume we find the City Hall and the Palau de la Generalitat.
A criss-cross of Medieval streets, such as the famous carrer Montcada, whose noble places reveal the comercial prosperity of Barcelona (XIII to XV century). Three of these palaces currently house the Museo Picasso. At the end of carrer Montcada is Santa Maria del Mar, the most beautiful Gothic church in Barcelona. Another outstanding building is the Palau de la Musica Catalana, a spectacular Modernist building built by Domenech i Montaner.
You will also find the Pare de la Ciutadella, a former citadel and site of the 1888 Universal Exposition. Some of the buildings from this exhibition are still standing as the Umbracle (Plant House), the Hivernacle (Glass House), and the exhibition restaurant building by Domenech i Montaner, which is now the home of the Museu de Zoologia, a public park which houses a series of very interesting museums as well as the Zoological Gardens.
La Rambla is one long, lively spectacle which enjoys well-deserved fame throughout the world. Starting from the placa Catalunya head down towards the Columbus Monument in the port, and make your way past the old shops, cafes, the Palau de la Virreina, the Boqueria (the best market in the city), the placa Reial and the Centre d’Art Santa Monica. On the right of the Rambla is the Raval district where you will find the Romanesque church of Sant Pau del Camp, the Palau Guell, designed by Gaudi, and the Centre de Cultura Contempordnia de Barcelona.
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Posted by kalista
on Jun 26 2009. Filed under Travel Destination.
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