Look at Barcelona from above

Enjoy Barcelona in this gre8 drone video

Two forces collide to form the astounding experience which is Barcelona.

One, endless human ingenuity. The small and negligible Roman town Barcino had two thousand years to be transformed into a beautiful jewel of Europe, home to eight World Heritage Sites, the nothing less than breathtaking expressions of human art and culture.

Two, the rich historical force of the capital of Catalonia, the largest metropolis on the Mediterranean Sea, an ancient village evolved into a city of unparalleled magnificence.  It will captivate you like it does its millions of tourists, each in an individual, unique way.

HISTORY

Two different legends portray the founding of Barcelona. The first attributes the founding of the city to the mythological Hercules. The second gives the honors to the historical Carthaginian general Hamilcar Barca, father of the legendary Hannibal, who gave the city his own name in the 3^rd century BC.

GEOGRAPHY

The modern Barcelona is composed out of six districts. Ciutat Vella, the old town, includes the pseudo-medieval Barri Gotic, La Rambla, El Raval, and El Born (La Ribera). Eixample is the modernist quarter, noted for its art nouveau buildings. For getting away from tourists, you can walk down the cosmopolitan and young atmosphere of Gràcia, formerly an independent town, it joined the city in the 20^th century. Sants-Montjuïc is home to the Plaza of Spain, always hosting great fairs and exhibitions. Other two less notable districts are Sant MartÍ and the Inland Suburbs.

WHAT TO SEE AND DO IN BARCELONA

Just stroll down the elegant Passeig de Garcia, surely you can’t miss the two magnificent buildings by Antoni Gaudi: the multicoloured Casa Batllò (Passeig de Gracia 43, casabatllo.es , open every day 9am to 8pm, ticket 8€, Metro 2 Violet, 3 Green or 4 Yellow, Passeig de Gracia station) and the splendid Mila house, better known as La Pedrera (Passeig de Gracia 92, only one apartment open to visits Monday to Sunday, 10am to 8pm, ticket 8€, Metro 2 Violet, 3 Green or 4 Yellow, Passeig de Gracia station). The Pedrera has an undulating smooth surface of pale stone with Art nouveau railings in wrought iron.

Yet the most spectacular element is the splendid terrace, comprising medieval knights carved from warm red stone, steep brick staircases and bottle-green and white mosaics. The façade is said to be tempting the observer to gaze from the ground skywards a metaphor for the passage from the earth to heaven.

The north-western part of the city is the site of Gaudi’s Sagrada Familia (Plaça Sagrada Familia, ticket 8€, Metro 2 Violet, Sagrada Familia station), the final and unfinished work of the Catalan artist . This audacious building, a mix of architectural styles (Neo-Gothic, Cubist and Art Nouveau), was started in 1883 and today still remains unfinished, following the express wishes of the artist. The incomplete building is intended to signify the tortuous and unending path of the individuals in their search for God and spirituality.

Walk a few minutes northbound and have a look to the Hospital de la Santa Creu I Sant Pau (C/ Sant Antoni Maria Claret 167, santpau.es), an unqualified masterpiece of Modernism Architecture that is open to the public for viewing.

The area of the Sagrada Familia is home to various modern monuments, including the Quadrati d’Or, the Passeig de Sant Joan, the Avingude Diagonal and the Ronda de Sant Pere.

UNDERSTAND

August is the busiest time in Barcelona; yet 10% of shops and restaurants can be found closed from mid-August to early September, when the owners go on vacations. Barcelona is great off-season, during the winter months the city averages between 9-10°C. Toddler happiness is cherished and considered a public responsibility in Spain. People around you will put every effort into making your toddler happy.

Barcelona’s Visitor Information Office can be reaches on +34 932 853 834, offering tourist information, hotel bookings and more.

The person you are coming to Barcelona and the one you are leaving will be two different people. Barcelona offers a profound experience, filled with picturesque moments, unforgettable experiences, and joy. Whether you admire the architecture or go out for a walk with the sharks at the Barcelona aquarium, one thing is for certain – you will have an absolutely unforgettable experience.

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