More than just a modern art museum, the Caixa Forum is billed as a Cultural Centre and stages temporary exhibitions as well as concerts, arts related educational workshops and films. There are 3 main exhibition halls, a cinema and a dedicated children’s activity area called Caixa Forum Kids. There is just one permanent exhibit; Joseph…
Category: Attractions
Museum of Catalan Modernism
The Museum of Catalan Modernism opened in 2010 and contains furniture, paintings and sculptures from two private collections exhibited in a modernist building on Carrer Balmes. The museum includes works by most of the major exponents of the genre, including Antoni Gaudi, Joan Busquets, Eusbei Arnau, Josep Llimona and others. The museum occupies two floors,…
Three Charming Art Nouveau Fountains by Josep Campeny
One of the things that makes Barcelona such a great place to live is the fact that, no matter how long you spend here, there’s always something new to discover. Everyone is familiar with sights such as the Sagrada Familia or the Pedrera, but I suggest you spend a few hours simply exploring and going…
Monestir de Pedralbes – One of Barcelona’s Best Kept Secrets!
The Monestir de Pedralbes is a beautiful gothic monastery which was built in 1326 by Queen Elisenda in an effort to be forgiven for her sins. Some of the most famous architects of the time worked on the project including Ramon Despuig and Berenguer de Montagut who also designed the Bascilica de Santa Maria del…
The Roman Temple of Augustus
Tucked away inside a medieval building in the Gothic quarter of Barcelona, these 9m high Corinthian-style columns are nearly as old as the city itself. The Temple of Augustus dates back to the first century BC and was part of the Forum at the centre of the Roman city of Barcino. Unlike the majority of…
Plaça de Catalunya – More Than Just a Metro Stop!
For many visitors Plaça de Catalunya is the first place they see when they arrive in Barcelona. If you take the Aerobus from the airport, the chances are you will get off here on the way to your hotel. Plaça de Catalunya is also the intersection between Las Ramblas, Portal de l’Àngel, Ronda de…
The Roger de Llúria Monument
This bronze statue of Roger de Llúria was constructed in 1885 by Catalan artist Josep Reynés. The statue is located on Passeig Lluis Companys, just opposite the main entrance to the Ciutadella Park and was originally part of a series of 8 statues of Catalan heroes. Who was Roger de Llúria? Roger de Llúria was…
The Barcelona History Museum – MUHBA Plaça del Rei
The MUHBA Plaça del Rei is the largest of the Barcelona History Museum’s centres and contains remains of the Roman city of Barcino which were discovered totally by chance during the construction of Via Laietana! History of the MUHBA Plaça del Rei: During the 1930s the medieval Royal Palace was dismantled to make way for…
Barcelona’s Head – Pop Art at the Old Port
The Barcelona’s Head sculpture (also known as Barcelona’s Face) was designed by American Pop Artist Roy Lichtenstein for the 1992 Olympic Games. The striking 90-ton statue is covered with brightly coloured mosaic tiles, a clear tribute to the works of Antoni Gaudi. The design also shows a strong Picasso influence mixed with the comic book…
Torre Glòries – Barcelona’s 21st Century Icon
Designed by Jean Nouvel, the 34 storey Torre Glòries, originally called the Torre Agbar, took 6 years to build and was inaugurated in 2005. Nouvel has stated that he was inspired by Catalan icons such as Gaudi’s Sagrada Familia and the nearby mountain of Montserrat. The tower was built for to the Agbar water company…
The Arc de Triomf
The Arc de Triomf was built in 1888 as the main entrance to the Exposición Universal de Barcelona. It was designed by the Catalan architect Josep Vilaseca i Casanovas and features sculptures by Josep Reynés, Josep Llimona and Manel Fuxa. The 30 metre high mudejar style brick arch is the focal point at the end…
The Canaletas Fountain (Font de Canaletes)
I’d estimate that 95% of tourists who visit Barcelona walk straight past the Canaletas Fountain without even noticing it which is a shame because this fountain come lamp post at the top of La Rambla is linked to a couple of interesting traditions. Canaletas Traditions #1: Tradition has it that if you drink from the…
Microcars in Barcelona
The MUHBA (Barcelona History Museum) has several centres dedicated to the history of the city from Roman times to the present day. From the 21st of December 2012 until the 15th of March 2013 they are staging a temporary exhibition dedicated to the history of microcars in Barcelona. The exhibition consists of about 15 cars and microcars from…
Disseny Hub – Vector Prime Comes to Barcelona!
This week the hoardings surrounding the new Disseny Hub Barcelona came down. The Disseny Hub (or Design Hub in English) is billed as a combination of museum, centre and laboratory. I’m not exactly sure what that means but the new building is certainly impressive. Situated next to the Agbar Tower in the 22@ district of…
Gambrinus – Barcelona’s Giant Lobster Statue
This funky giant prawn/lobster statue was originally part of the decor at the Gambrinus seafood restaurant. The 10m long fibreglass sculpture was designed and built by Spanish artist Javier Mariscal. When the Gambrinus restaurant closed the statue was bought by Barcelona city council, restored and now takes pride of place on Passeig Colom near the Port…
