Tourist Attractions & Monuments Barcelona

In 1715, Philip V decided to build a citadel to lock up and control the city. This decision to repress the Catalans is explained by their long resistance to the siege of Philippe V. It also closed universities to drive out intellectuals, and prohibited the expansion of the city to increase its population. The construction of the citadel led to the demolition of more than a thousand houses in the Ribera district. Hated by Barcelonians, the citadel was finally destroyed in the 19th century. Among its rare remains, the former arsenal has been the seat of the Parliament of Catalonia since 1932. The architect Josep Fontserè designed a 17-hectare park with an artificial lake for boating. Inspired by the Paris Plant Garden, he built the Museu Martorell (1882) to house the collections of the Museum of Natural Sciences (now on display in the Museu Blau), as well as the Umbracle (1883) to house tropical plants. The young Antoni Gaudí participated in the construction of a monumental waterfall. The park was inaugurated in 1881 and a few years later hosted the 1888 Universal Exhibition. Several modernist buildings date from this period, including the Castell dels Tres Dragons by Lluís Domènech i Montaner (former Zoology Museum), the Hivernacle by Josep Amargós, and the monumental Arc de Triomf, inspired by Neo-Mudejar. The land left free after the exhibition allowed the creation of the Barcelona Zoo in 1892.

The Rambla de Catalunya starts from the Plaça de Catalunya and runs parallel to the Passeig de Gràcia until it reaches the Avenue Diagonal. Like the latter, it is one of the city's main shopping streets. In addition to many shops, you will find bars and cafés with their respective terraces, all located on the central median. The avenue is dotted with modernist buildings: note for example Casa Serra by Josep Puig i Cadafalch at number 126, or Bolós pharmacy at number 77 and its beautiful façade decorated with stained glass windows.

The ancient village of Gràcia was a full municipality until 1897. Narrow streets and small squares contrast with the architectural splendour of Eixample. It was one of the Republican bastions in the th century. It is a little tourist area because it is rather residential and popular, but its charm is undeniable. It is in this neighbourhood that the parties of Gràcia are flames the streets, every year in August: among the most popular.

Between the 13th and 17th centuries, Passeig del Born was a place of festivities, where crafts fairs and knighthood tournaments were held. The current name of the district, Born, also means "tournament" in Catalan. In 1874, the covered market of the same name was built at one end of the passage. This metal construction, a symbol of the industrial 19th century, is one of the first in Spain. The whole area has kept a popular atmosphere, with its bistros and local shops.

The Barcelona History Museum has several sites. The Plaça del Rei complex contains the archaeological remains of the Roman city in the basement, the 14th-century Royal Palace, where you can admire the Tinell Room, and the Chapel of Saint Agatha. Various collections of medieval objects are on display in the rooms of Casa Padellàs, a 15th-century Gothic house that was moved stone by stone following the construction of the Via Laietana in 1931.

The train station that provided the first link between Barcelona and Mataró was replaced in 1929 by a new station called Gare de France. Restored in 1992, and despite a very small traffic, this Art Deco station has kept a great deal of charm with its metal structure and glass glass high over 30 m.

With an area of three hectares, Plaça de Catalunya, linking the historic center to the Eixample, is the starting point of the main arteries of the city. The first stage of urbanization of the square dates back to 1902, followed by various projects, such as that of Josep Puig i Cadafalch in 1923. Finally, the inauguration by Alfonso XIII did not take place until 1927. Considered the social and cultural epicenter of the city, this square is a veritable open-air museum with sculptures by Clarà, Marès, Gargallo and Llimona, among others.

The museum is housed in the arsenals of the Crown of Aragon, built in the 13th century by order of Peter the Great. Modified until the 18th century, the Drassanes are a jewel of civil engineering and are one of the few examples of Gothic-style naval infrastructure. The museum traces the Catalan maritime history through an important collection of maps, models and paintings. Don't hesitate to visit the schooner Santa Eulàlia, dating from 1918, one of the first boats restored and refloated by the museum.

Itinerary with sailing along the coast of Barcelona (five squares and an instructor): you small sailing lessons once on board will be. Cross cava to celebrate your baptism at sea. Olé!

In front of the port chosen by Christopher Columbus to disembark on his return from the Americas, stands the monument in his honor, erected by Gaietà Buïgas. Eight bronze lions stand guard at the foot of the Corinthian-style column. It is 51 meters high and was inaugurated on the occasion of the 1888 Universal Exhibition. Take time to observe the bas-reliefs: they illustrate the key moments of the explorer's life. The figures of the Catholic Monarchs and other key figures in the discovery of the New World envelop the pedestal. Carved in the lower part of the column, you will notice the arms of Catalonia, which frame caravels. At the top of the monument, the figure of Columbus, a seven-meter high sculpture by Rafael Atché, emerges from the crown of the County of Barcelona. The navigator holds a map in his left hand and points to the sea with the other. Against all odds, while one would be tempted to think that he is pointing to America, it is Italy, his native land, and more particularly Genoa, that is shown. An elevator allows access to the viewpoint. Don't worry: the ascent, which took four minutes with the old hydraulic system, only takes a few seconds! Once up there, you'll enjoy a breathtaking view of the entire city, with the silhouettes of the Sagrada Familia, the Agbar Tower and the Montjuïc Castle to the south. If possible, avoid rush hour: it is not always easy to get close to the windows!

This park was built in 1986, on the location of old railway warehouses. Some elements have been preserved in this urban landscape, in the form of waterfalls and the Arab patio.

Located between the beaches of Barceloneta and Nova Icària, this port was built in 1991 to accommodate the sailing competitions of the 1992 Olympic Games. Several architects participated in its design, including Oriol Bohigas, Josep Martorell and David Mackay through the MBM Arquitectes agency. At the foot of the Mapfre towers and the Arts Hotel, the port is home to a high concentration of restaurants, bars and nightclubs. Here stands the sculpture of Frank Gehry's Peix d'or, icon of the Vila Olímpica, representing a golden fish.

This very pleasant park was built in 1919, along with the Royal Palace for Alphonse XIII. The Font del Drac (Dragon Fountain) was designed by Gaudí.

Sants Estació

Pl. dels Països Catalans, s/n

Main hall

M°: Sants-Estació

Every day from 8:00 to 20:00.

Plaça Sant Jaume

C/

Ciutat, 2

M° Jaume I

Monday to Friday of 9:00 to 20:00. Saturday from 10:00 to 20:00. On sundays and holidays 10:00 to 14:00.

Plaça Catalunya

17 Plaça de Catalunya

Mº: Catalunya

Open every day from 8:30 to 20:30.

Rambla

Rambla dels Estudis, 115

Mº: Catalunya

Open every day from 8:30 to 20:30.

Mirador de Colom

Del Portal de Pau placed

M°: Drassanes

Every day from 8:30 to 20:30.