Barcelona

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21st September 2023

The weather gods continue to look after us, and despite a forecast of rain, we have another beautiful sunny day. In no hurry to do anything in particular today, we had breakfast at a nice cafe not far from our hotel at around 8.45 am, and decided to venture out sightseeing at a bit after 10 am.

We have since discovered that the Mirador torre Glories has a lookout at the very top which offers panoramic views of the city, so on our way to the Metro station, we make this our first port of call.


A better shot of Mirador torre Glories

The overall Mirador experience started on the ground floor with a well put together exhibition, audio visual presentation talking about Barcelona today and projections on how this may be by 2050. Obviously based on computer modelling, a possible scenario was espoused. Probably as credible as some of the masterstrokes from the current Australian Government, but better presented.

Unfortunately the building design includes an external cladding of glass louvres, making photography of the other wise spectacular views quite difficult.


However, try to squeeze between the louvre blades give some half decent photos.


The most noticeable feature of this city is the density of development, but in relatively low rise buildings.


Looking toward the old city, a couple of the tallest buildings are the oldest 


But nothing prepares you for the sheer size if Sagrada Familia, compared to the rest of the buildings. The final height of the church will be above the line the glass louvre has imposed over the top of the building. Also the base of the building still has a good deal of more land to take up where the entrance is planned to be and another 4 bell towers added to the entrance.

Inside the viewing area the architecture is very modern.


It was great to get this opportunity to sea a 360 degree view of this city of 1.7 million people.

Having spent more time here than expected, we decided to backtrack a little on go to the Westfield Glories shopping complex, as the others haven't been there yet and it would be a good place to have lunch before we go further afield.


Avenue Diagonal in which both our Hotel and Westfield Glories are located


Looking around the Carrefour supermarket makes us hungry, and fortunately there is a large food hall in the Westfield complex where the attractions of the hams on display soon helps us focus in on a suitable lunch spot.


The food did not disappoint and we learned a bit about the various qualities of ham that are available (and why some of them are so expensive)


Sharon decided to have a rest this afternoon, as we overdid it a bit yesterday with distances we covered on foot. The rest of us headed to the Metro station to explore the area around The Arc de Triomf. It was built as a gateway in 1888 to the Universal Exhibition held in Barcelona in the Parc de la Ciutdella.

As we emerge from the Metro Station we are amazed at this magnificent railway station, Estacio del Nord. Originally opened in 1862 it was closed as a railway station in 1972 and is now used partly as a bus station, partly as a sports hall and partly as a police station.


Estacio del Nord


Arc de Triomf


Looking from the Parc de la Ciutdella (law courts on the right)


This magnificent building along the side of the avenue to the arch is the law courts


Main entrance to the Law Courts


The ceiling inside the entrance is a real surprise

At the end of the avenue away from the arch is the Parc de la Ciutdella, the site of the exhibition for which  the arch was built as a gateway, and also the location of one of Gaudi's famous works. Whilst no fountains were in operation today, the Gaudi touch in this monument is clear.


A walk around the park showed it proved to be a popular place for locals/visitors with a small lake on which people were attempting to row.


By around 3 pm it starts to get very hot and we decided to retreat back to the Metro and head back to our hotel. We decided to have a few beers on the way at at little bar/pizza place not far from our hotel.

Dinner tonight is at a restaurant, La Yaya del Poblenou, a short walk from the hotel with a promising menu of local food. We started with tapas and a few drinks at 6.15 pm, and left at 10 pm after a sensational paella, and quite a bit of local wine. A most enjoyable meal.


Our last course, paella

Tomorrow we are still in Barcelona before we catch an afternoon flight to Geneva.



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