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BARCELONA –
LOCATIONS OF INTEREST
 Barcelona
Cathedral
 Plaça de la Seu – Barri Gòtic
 933 151 554
Originally dating from 1298 there have been additions and
alterations during the various centuries the, most notable in the
4th and the 11th.
Daily from 08.30 hrs to 13.30 hrs, and from 16.00 hrs to 19.30 hrs.
Other notable Churches: Santa Maria del Mar (1330) – Sant Miquel &
Església al Monestir de Pedralbes (1340) – Sant Pau del Camp (900) –
Sant Pere de les Puelles (800) – Santa Maria del Pi – Santa Àgata
(1500)
 Castell de Montjuïc
Parc de Montjuïc
A fun way to visit this 17th Century castle is to take the cable car
from near the entrance to the Park. There is a military museum
within the castle walls. We suggest you walk back down through
attractive gardens and enjoy the views.
Open daily from 10.30 hrs to 20.00 hrs.
 Font Màgica
Avinguda de la Reina Maria Cristina
906 301 282
A special fountain designed by Carles Buigas in 1929. As darkness
descends a series of jets are choreographed to classical music
ending up with a single jet that is 15 meters high.
  Gaudí - The Top Ten Architectural Creations
Located in Barcelona
Area
Sagrada Familia – La Pedrera – Parc Güell – Casa Batlió – Palau
Güell – Bellesguard – Finca Güell – Casa Calvet – Colegio Teresiano
– Casa Vicens
 La Rambla
The heart of Barcelona which consists of a long very crowded street
with fascinating shops of all types, sidewalk cafés and street
entertainers. The world meets in La Rambla.
 Mirador de Colom
La Rambla - Barri Gòtic
This is an 80 metre column as a statue to the famous explorer
Christopher Columbus. Within the actual column is an elevator that
takes visitors to the viewing platform at the top.
Daily from 10.00 hrs to 19.30 hrs.
 L’Aquàrium
Moli d’Espanya del Port Vell – Port Vell
932 217 474
Located in the harbour area the L’Aquàrium has over 10.000 species
of fish and water reptiles on display for visitors. A fascinating
feature is a 80 meter glass tunnel through which visitors walk and
view fish of various sizes swimming overhead. For children there are
more than 50 inter-activities for their entertainment. It is open
from 09.30 hrs until 21.00 hrs, and later in the evening in summer
months.
 Palau Sant Jordi
Avinguda de l’Estadi
This is the star of the architectural creations especially for the
1992 Summer Olympics.
Parc Zoològico
Parc de la Ciutadella
A Zoo for animal lovers. For children there are fun things such as
pony rides, electric cars and a train ride. For the adults there is
a museum devoted to the same subject.
Outskirts of the
City of Barcelona & Further
Andorra
 The
Principality of Andorra which is located to the north of Barcelona
and is sandwiched between the borders of Spain and France. It covers
464 square kms and is ruled jointly by Spain and France. The Bishop
of the nearby province of La Seu d’Urgell represents the Spanish
interest whilst the President of France in his title of Count of
Foix rules for France. This joint control came about in a Treaty
signed between the two countries in 1278. In 1419 the local
inhabitants were allowed to create their own parliament which has
politically successfully avoided being involved in any war since
that year. However, this peaceful record was nearly broken in 1934
when a Russian Count announced himself to be the King Boris I of
Andorra and declared war on the joint ruler, the Bishop at La Seu
d’Urgell. The Bishop calmly sent for armed representatives of Spain
to give support. This force turned out to be four soldiers of the
Guardia Civil who proceeded to the Count’s residence and placed him
under arrest. The Count was promptly escorted to Barcelona and then
subsequently out of Spain. The attempted coup lasted but just two
weeks!
 The
population is in the region of 65,000 and most of them live in the
main town which consists of the old part named Andorra la Vella and
the new commercial section named Les Escaldes. As it is a Tax Free
haven in Europe the shops tend to stock popular branded named items
and often at interesting prices. The country of Andorra consists of
many deep valleys and mountain slopes, of which many still have old
charming stone built dwellings. It is an excellent location for
walkers during the summer and then fills up in the winter with
skiers. There are four Ski areas of note; Arinsal, Massana, Pas de
la Casa and Soldeu. The slopes present ideal holidays for families
but are of little interest for the more advanced skier. For those
skiers wishing to vary their ski areas it is recommended that they
stay in the main town as it is easy to reach each area from this
central location. Due to the popularity as a location for reasonably
priced winter holidays many small farmhouses in the various valleys
have been converted into restaurants serving recommendable
traditional regional food.
Andorra Tourist Office –
972 226 575
Find Accommodation in Andorra
Beslaú
This classical small medieval town to the north of Girona retains
some of its past in the fortified bridge over the river Fluvià, the
two Romanesque churches and some of its original walls. The town
existed prior to 800 AD when it was taken by Louis le Deboinair who
declared it as an independent country. However, this was brought to
an end in 1020 when it was integrated into the powerful State of
Barcelona. It possessed a fine Benedict monastery which was
destroyed in 1835 and is now just a town square. A find this century
was a ritual Jewish bath built in 1264 and is one of only three to
date surviving in Europe.
Tourist Office –
972 591 240
Barcelona Beaches
The immediate city beaches with the advent of the Summer Olympics of
1992 were transformed by the importation of thousands of tons of
sand and the construction of facilities such as showers, toilets,
children’s play area and sports centres for those inclined.
Unfortunately, one feature has remained from previous times which is
bag-snatchers so be warned.
Castelldefels
Within easy reach just 20 kms to south of the city is this 5 kms
long sandy beach with shallow water.
Premià & El Masnou
These two beaches are to the north of Barcelona and possibly are the
nicest within easy reach of the city.
Costa Brava
The well known holiday area of Costa Brava lies within easy reach of
Barcelona and basically commences at the coastal town of Blanes and
stretches 200 kms to the north up to the frontier with France. The
coastline presents a mixture of crowded typical holiday resorts with
long open beaches to smaller sandy coves. Many holiday makers tend
to take advantage of their location to explore the medieval villages
and buildings that are located just off from the coast.
Begur
A small town set slightly back from the cliff top providing good sea
views over small coves and beaches.
Blanes
Besides being a holiday destination this town is also has a working
port. The two main attractions are the very long beach and the
interesting Jardí Botànic Mar I Murtra. This later is a Botanical
garden and was designed by a German by the name of Karl Faust. There
are over 7,000 different plants from the Mediterranean and the
tropics.
Tourist Office – 972 330 348
Cadaqués
Perhaps because the beaches are small and stony this town has
maintained more of its distinctive Spanish atmosphere rather than be
swamped by the influences of tourism.
L’Escala
This port lies at the southern end of the same sweeping bay as the
resort of Roses. The location is popular with the regional
population.
L’Estartit
Due to its proximity to the Islands of Medes this is a good choice
for the lovers of Scuba diving. The islands were reputedly in their
past a home for pirates and is now a marine reserve.
La Platja d’Aro’s
This popular location as a typical holiday resort with many modern
hotels lining the long sandy beach.
Llafranc & Calella de Palafrugell
These two resorts are joined by along promenade approximately
stretching along a sandy beach for about 1 km.
Lloret de Mar
This town tends to attract the most tourists which is reflected in
the number of hotels providing charter holidays. For those visitors
who wish to escape the crowds there are a number of smaller beaches
within easy reach, such as Santa Cristina.
Palamós
This is a working port and combined as a holiday destination. To the
north of the town there are many sandy beaches in sheltered coves.
Roses
This resort is tucked in the northern corner of a long sweeping pay
providing shelter from the northern and western winds. It is
therefore a popular destination for lovers of water sports.
Tossa de Mar
This is an old fortified attractive town with a small cove style
beach and is popular with holiday makers for its natural medieval
charm.
Costa Dourada
To the south of Barcelona the coastline which stretches beyond and
below Tarragona is ideal for family holidays. Long sandy beaches can
be found in the resorts of Cambrils, Casa Nadiva de Pau Casals, El
Vendrell, Port Aventura, Salou and Vilanova I la Geltrú.
Sitges
This resort town is possibly the favorite for many of the
inhabitants of Barcelona for its long sandy beach and its wild night
life! This is created by a crazy cocktail mixture consisting of the
extremes from society drawn from the whole of Europe.
Costa Del Maresme
The coast between Barcelona and Blanes has been given the name of
“Costa del Maresme”. Although not so popular with the foreign
holiday tourist as a destination this part of the coast is well
served with both modern hotels and long sandy beaches. Two locations
recommended are Arenys de Mar and Calella de la Costa.
 Empúries
This ancient town has extensive ruins dating from the Grecian Roman
times and lies on the coast to the north of Barcelona. History
records that it was a place of importance in 600 BC when the Greeks
established a port and subsequently later occupants have rebuilt the
town. The Roman occupation of the peninsular was reputed to have
stated here in 210 BC. The Emperor Julius Caesar gave the place the
name of “Neapolis” in 49 BC.
Tourist Office –
972 770 208
Figueres
 The town of Figueres which is to the north of Girona is not
practically notable in itself but its painter son Salvador Dalí has
left an indelible mark on history by his often outrageous creations.
In 1929 he became a member of the “Surrealism Movement” and his
works were so conventually challenging that he became the principle
artist of the movement. In the Teatro-Museo Dalí a visitor will be
sure to find enough mind provoking exhibits that it will justify the
fact that this museum is the second most visited one in Spain after
the Prado Museum in Madrid. We are told that Dalí in the beginning
of the Civil War offered to go to Barcelona to create a department
for the “irrational organization of daily life”. His request was
officially rejected on the basis that apparently this department
already existed!
Tourist Office –
972 677 505
Girona
 The houses overlooking the River Onyar in Girona are painted in
various pastel colours partly reflects the character of the city.
Many parts were rebuilt in the 19th Century after a seven month
siege in 1809 by a French army of 35,000 that destroyed the Roman
city walls. The north gate into the city was once part of the Via
Augusta road built by the Romans from Tarragona to Rome. In the old
town the street named Rambla de la Llibertat is a smaller echo of
its bigger sister in Barcelona. The Banys Arabs (Arab baths) dates
from the 12th Century and are questionably related to the Moorish
occupation which terminated some 300 years previously. The Jewish
quarter is named El Call and is now partially restored. In the early
12th Century a Girona Jew by the name of Moses Ben Nahman was
largely responsible for an upsurge of Cabalistic studies in Europe.
The Cathedral was built in 1416 and in it is a marble throne known
as “Charlemagne’s Chair” after the Emperor who occupied the town in
785 AD. An interesting tapestry is on show dating from the 12th
Century.
The Museu d’Art is housed in a former Episcopal palace and has on
show a fine selection of items from the Romanesque period to the
present day. Another museum of interest is the Museu d’Història de
la Ciutat. This musem is a former 18th Century convent and on show
is the history of the town and region. It also includes a collection
of instruments form the past used in accompanying the “Sardana”
dancing.
Tourist Office –
972 226 575
  La Seu d’Urgell
This small and ancient town can be found shortly before leaving
Spain on the road to the State of Andorra. In the 6th Century it was
made a bishopric by the Visigoths and it was due to latter feuds
over land ownership that Andorra was created in the 13th Century.
The cathedral dates back to the 12th Century and holds a venerated
statue of Santa Maria d’Urgell. The museum has many medieval works
of art including a 10th Century copy of the Saint Beatus of Liébana
treatise named “Commentary on the Apocalypse”.
Tourist Office –
973 351 511
Mirador de la Torre
934 069 354
Perched on a hill overlooking the City is 560 meter
telecommunication tower providing a spectacular panoramic view over
many of Barcelona’s most interesting buildings? It has 13 viewing
platforms and is open to the public except on Mondays and Tuesdays.
There are regular buses from the City.
Monestir de Monserrat
Monserrat
938 777 777
 The mountain of Montserrat is famous for the image of the Virgin
that was recorded as being seen in 1929 in Santa Cova. However, this
location which is 1.000 meters above sea level. It is reported that
in 880 AD a dark faced image of the Virgin was discovered and a
chapel was built to commemorate the event which was later in 976
made the responsibility of the Order of the Benedictines in Ripoll.
Subsequently a monastery was constructed and in 1025 it became a
home to the Benedictine monks and was granted independence from Rome
in 1409. Unfortunately, the original buildings were badly destroyed
by the French forces during the War of Independence in 1811.
Happily, a decision to reconstruct was taken in 1840.
From behind the altar is a wooden statue named the La Morenta (Black
Virgin). Is is reputed to have been carved by Saint Luke and brought
to Spain by St Peter in the year of 50 AD and in 1881 the Region of
Catalunya adopted the statue as its patroness. Recent carbon dating
has placed the carving as likely being from the 12th Century.
The Basilica has a large domed roof and the interior is decorated by
works by Cátalan artists. It is in here that the famous 50 strong
boys choir performs their religious chants twice daily.
It is an attractive place to visit and lies conveniently close to
the north-west of Barcelona on the N11 and there is a small hotel
and prior booking is recommended. Alternatively, there are trains
from Plaza Espanya Railway Station every day every hour. Upon
arrival there is a fun funicular train taking visitors up the
mountain and there are spectacular gorges to be seen. Your access
ticket also provides a 5% discount on a nights lodging in the hotel.
Monestir de Poblet
Montblanc
977 862 291
 This charming peaceful Monastery founded in 1151 is set in an
isolated valley is a home to the Order of Cistercians. It played an
important part in the consolidation of Christianity in the region
after the region had been captured from the Moors by Count Ramon
Berenguer IV in the 12th Century. Her are the tombs of Alfonso II
(1196) and Juan II (1479). Unfortunately, this monastery was another
of the places sacked by the invading French forces in 1814 and again
by rebels in the 2nd Carlist War in 1834 who believed that the monks
had oppressed them and ravaged their women. Happily, in 1940 the
monks returned to the monastery and have reconstructed the ravaged
parts including the royal damaged tombs.
Another monastery to be visited as it dates from the same period in
history and also played an important part in the spread of
Christianity is the Monestir de Santes Creus near Tarragona and is
the resting place of Jaume II (1291-1327).
The Monestir de Poblet is 10 kms outside the town of Montblanc off
the N240.
Parc d’Atraccions del Tibidabo
Tibidabo
932 117 942
An amusement park opened at the turn of the century and located to
the north on the fringe of the city. The park is reached by a fun
funicular which takes visitors up 517 metres to where there is a 360
degree view of Barcelona and the surroundings.
 Tarragona
This town played an important part in the Roman occupation in the
3rd Century BC. It was chosen as the Roman capital of the district
know as “Tarraconenis” and evidence of their presence is
 seen in the
ruins of the Amphitheatre, a Roman wall with towers stretching a
kilometer, and a museum housed in a Roman tower exhibited a fine
collection of items from the period. It became a centre of Roman
Iberian culture with its abundant locally grown food, fine wines and
a lively social life and by the 2nd Century had a population of some
30,000. The later Visigoths who
 replaced the Romans also appreciated
the place making it in the 5th Century one of their bishoprics.
Curiously, during the rule of the last invaders, the Moors, the town
became a haven for the Jews and it is related that they made up more
than half of the town’s population.
Tourist Office –
977 233 415
 Torre de Collserola
Parc de Collserola
A communications tower risin to 560 metres above the city near to
Parc d’Atraccions del Tibidabo. It has a glass-fronted elevator that
takes visitors on the outside of the structure up to its viewing
platform. Once there the visitor will have 360 panoramic views of
the city.
Universal “Mediterranea”
933 425 180
A Fun Play Park designed on USA lines for the whole family. It is
located to the south of the City along the coast past Tarragona. The
large area of the Park is divided into sections with each one taking
the culture and architecture of a part of the world. Caribbean
Coast, China, Mediterranean, Mexico, Polynesia, USA Far West, themes
are represented.
Open all year and hours range depending on evening entertainment.
Daily buses are organized from Ronda Universidad, 5
Various Churches and Monasteries
Figueres - Monestir de San Pere de Rodes – 22 kms east of Figueres
Girona - Catedral de Santa Maria
La Seu d’Urgell - Catedral de La Seu d’Urgell
Lleida- Sant Climent i Santa Maria de Taül – 140 kms north of Lleida
Montblanc - Monestir de Santes Creus – 25 kms northwest of Montblanc
Ripoll - Monestir de Ripoll
Sant Joan de les Abadesses – Sant Joan de les Abadesses
Trarragona - Catedral de Santa Tecla |
