Better known by his pen name Serafí Pitarra, Frederic Soler was a Catalan playwright who wrote over a hundred plays as well as several books of poetry. The white marble monument which was erected in his memory stands directly opposite Barcelona’s oldest theatre, Teatre Principal. Biography of Frederic Soler Frederic Soler i Hubert was born…
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The Medieval Fountains of Barcelona’s Gothic Quarter
Barcelona was founded by the Romans in the first century AD. As the city’s population increased, two aqueducts were built to bring water from springs in the mountains nearby. After the fall of the Roman Empire, the aqueducts fell into disrepair and were eventually abandoned. During the tenth century AD, a channel called El Rec…
Barcelona’s Medieval Jewish Quarter (El Call)
Barcelona’s medieval Jewish Quarter is a small area of narrow streets and alleyways tucked away behind the Cathedral, in the oldest part of the city centre. The area was abandoned after the pogroms of 1391, almost a hundred years before the Spanish Inquisition and the expulsion of the Jews from Spain. Today, you can learn…
Carmela by Jaume Plensa
Carmela is one of four sculptures by Jaume Plensa which were exhibited at the Palau de la Musica Catalana in 2016. The statue was such a hit with the neighbours that they started a petition on change.org asking the organizers and Barcelona city council to keep it there indefinitely. Carmela Sculpture Carmela was created from…
Fountain of Diana
Located on the intersection of Gran Via and Roger de Lluria, the Fountain of Diana is a six and a half metre tall marble fountain topped by a statue of the Roman goddess Diana the huntress. The Renaissance styled Fountain by Venancio Vallmitjana was commissioned by Barcelona city council in 1913. Apparently, the young goddess…
Monument to the Heroes of 1809
Commonly referred to as the Monument to the Martyrs of Independence, The Monument to the Heroes of 1809 is dedicated to eight people who were executed after a failed attempt to drive occupying French troops out of Barcelona. The Martyrs of Independence During the Peninsula War (1807 – 1814) Barcelona was occupied by Napoleon’s army…
Basilica of La Mercè
It may not be as well known as Barcelona’s other historic churches, but the Basilica of Our Lady of Mercy (Catalan: La Basílica de la Mare de Déu de la Mercè) is a worthy addition to your list of things to see in the Gothic Quarter. The basilica’s stunning interior consists of a nave flanked…
The Church of the Sacred Heart on Mount Tibidabo
Perched at the top of Mount Tibidabo, the Church of the Sacred Heart rewards visitors with exceptional views of Barcelona and the surrounding countryside. Built between 1902 and 1961, and topped by a giant statue of Jesus, the church is an iconic feature of Barcelona’s skyline and can be seen from most parts of the…
Myths and Legends of Barcelona
With over two thousand years of history, it’s no wonder that Barcelona has more than its fair share of myths, legends and superstitions. From the squares and alleyways of the Gothic Quarter to the peak of Mount Tibidabo, in this post, we uncover the best-known stories. The Vampire of Barcelona At the beginning of the…
Easy Day Trips From Barcelona by Public Transport (and how to get there)
If you’re visiting Barcelona for longer than just a weekend, chances are you’ll want to go beyond the city limits and take a day trip. There’s no shortage of awesome destinations for a quick road trip, from blue flag beaches and medieval castles to extinct volcanoes and picturesque villages. If you don’t fancy hiring a…
10 Things to Do at Barcelona’s Port Vell Harbour
A short walk from the city centre, Barcelona’s Port Vell harbour is one of the most beautiful areas of the city. Popular with visitors and locals alike, and with plenty of things to see and do, it’s a great place to relax with friends and family. Here’s our list of the ten best things to…
Barcelona’s Oldest Fountain: El Font de Santa Ana
From the narrow streets and alleyways of the Gothic Quarter to the wide boulevards of l’Eixample district, wherever you go in Barcelona you’ll see fountains of all shapes and sizes. The earliest fountains were built during the middle ages to provide water for Barcelona’s inhabitants and livestock. Simple and functional, early fountains were sparsely decorated…
El Capricho de Gaudí, Comillas
Born in Reus in 1852, Antoni Gaudí moved to Barcelona to study architecture when he was eighteen years old. After finishing his studies, he began working for some of the city’s wealthiest residents. In the years which followed, his ground-breaking and fanciful designs helped transform the city into what we see today. Despite the fact…
Monument to Santiago Rusiñol
Santiago Rusiñol was a key figure in Catalan Modernism, an artistic movement encompassing art, architecture, design and literature. Born in Barcelona in 1861, he was the son of a wealthy family which owned a textile manufacturing company founded by his grandfather Jaume Rüsiñol. As a teenager, Rusiñol started sketching and painting in his free time…
The Remnants of Barcelona’s 18th Century Citadel
Centrally located, at the north edge of the old town, the Parc de la Ciutadella is Barcelona’s best known and most popular park. The seventeen-hectare park is home to Barcelona Zoo, the Catalan Parliament Building, two museums, a large fountain, a bandstand, a boating lake and a diverse collection of sculptures and monuments. A green…
Terrassa: What to See and Do
Thirty kilometres inland from Barcelona, Terrassa’s attractive, pedestrianised city centre is an interesting and lesser-known day trip or weekend break. Sometimes referred to as the Catalan Manchester, Terrassa played a key role during the Industrial Revolution when it was an important city for textile manufacturing. In its heyday at the beginning of the twentieth century,…
Estació de França Railway Station
Barcelona França railway station (Catalan: Estaçió de França) was built in 1926 in preparation for the Barcelona International Exhibition which took place in 1929. The Noucentista style station was designed by Pedro Muguruza and Andreu Muntaner as the main terminus for trains arriving from France. Nowadays, the station has largely been superseded by Barcelona Sants…
A Man With as Many Noses as There Are Days Left In the Year
L’Home dels Nassos (the man of the noses) is a mythical figure from Catalan folklore with as many noses as there are days left in the year. On January 1st he has 365 noses which he then loses, one per day, as the year advances. During most of the year, the nose man hides away…
The Fabulous Furry Freak Brothers in Barcelona
The Fabulous Furry Freak Brothers is a cult comic strip which first appeared in underground magazines in the late 1960s. Created by Gilbert Shelton, the comics recount the misadventures of three hippies (and their cat) and have been translated into 14 languages. Barcelona is featured in The Idiots Abroad which was originally published in The…
Best Souvenirs and Gifts You Can Buy at Barcelona Airport (and where to find them)
Barcelona is a shopper’s paradise with an abundance of department stores, boutiques, flea-markets and artisan shops where you can pick up a unique and authentic memento of your trip. With so many options to choose from it can be hard to know where to start. Add to that the fact that holiday time is short…
Figueres and the Dalí Theatre-Museum
Best known as the birthplace of Salvador Dalí and home to the Dali Theatre-Museum. Figueres has a relaxed small-town vibe and a historic centre dotted with Art Nouveau buildings, picturesque plazas and a handful of interesting museums. Thanks to its strategic location near the French border, the town also boasts one of the largest bastion…
Monument to Narcís Monturiol : Inventor of the Steam Powered Submarine
Located on Avinguda Diagonal, this four and a half metre concrete and bronze monument to inventor and political activist Narcís Monturiol i Estarriol was inaugurated in 1963. Created by Josep Maria Subirachs, the monument includes a replica of Monturiol’s most famous invention, the steam-powered submarine Ictíneo II, first launched in the Port of Barcelona in…
A Thoughtful Bull and a Very Flirtatious Giraffe (Statues)
The streets of Barcelona are often likened to an open-air museum or art gallery. From the famous Art Nouveau architecture to monuments, sculptures and street art, there’s something to catch your eye at every turn. Two of the most unusual statues are Thinking Bull (Brau Pensador) and Flirty Giraffe (Girafa Coqueta) which are located at…
Dalinian Triangle Guide: In the Surreal Footsteps of Salvador Dalí
Possibly the best known and most instantly recognisable artist of the 20th Century, Salvador Dalí was born in Figueres, 140km north of Barcelona. Famous for his dreamlike surrealist paintings and eccentric public persona, Dalí spent most of his life in Catalonia. Many of his best-known paintings were inspired by the rocky landscapes and coastline between…
Gala-Dalí Castle, Púbol
The Gala-Dalí Castle at Púbol is one of the three vertices of the so-called Dalinian triangle. More sombre and austere than the couple’s home in Portlligat. The castle was Gala’s private refuge and contains a collection of her dresses, personal belongings and works of art which Dalí painted for her. History of the Gala-Dalí Castle…
21 Most Instagrammable Locations in Barcelona (With Map)
Barcelona is one of Europe’s most photogenic cities with plenty of opportunities to fill your Instagram feed and Facebook timeline with images that will turn your friends back home green with envy. In fact, there are so many Instagram worthy sights that if you’re not careful you might end up missing out on some of…
Barcelona Sightseeing Passes: Which is Best Value in 2024?
Barcelona offers visitors good value for money compared to other popular European cities such as London, Paris, Berlin or Rome. Having said that, the city is packed with attractions and with entry fees generally between €10 and €40; the cost can quickly add up. Luckily, several discount cards and sightseeing passes can help you save…
Top Barcelona Travel, Food and Expat Blogs
Barcelona is one of the most visited cities in Europe with an abundance of things to see and do. In fact, there’s so much on offer that if you don’t make at least a rough plan before you arrive there’s a good chance you’ll end up missing out. Luckily there are literally hundreds of independent…
The Walk From Flaça Train Station to Púbol
Flaça train station is approximately 6km from Púbol, the walk through rolling farmland takes just over an hour. From Flaça to La Pera the route follows a gravel cycle path. From La Pera to Pubol, You walk on the GV-6426 which is a quiet country road with little traffic. If you will be walking in…
The Wounded Star Sculpture by Rebecca Horn (L’Estel Ferit)
The Wounded Star (Catalan: L’Estel Ferit) by Rebecca Horn is one of several contemporary sculptures that were installed on Barcelona’s waterfront in preparation for the 1992 Olympics. The rusty iron tower is a homage to the rundown chiringuitos (beach bars) and seafood stalls that stood here before the area was refurbished and gentrified in the…
