Pat and I are now on the second leg of our journey this fall. For one month we explored Italy from a home base in Florence. Then we flew to Spain where we have a week until we board our cruise ship to sail back to the USA. The first couple of days were getting our bearings and figuring out the lay of the land. Planning what things to see and do. And do a lot of walking!
Barcelona
This is large city located in the northeast corner of Spain directly on the coast of the Balearic Sea. The second largest city in Spain with a population of 1.6 million people within the city limits. As far as the history goes, some ruins have been found dating back to 5,000 BC, but as a continuing settlement goes back to the 3rd century BC. In 15 BC the Romans redrew the city with their own plans.
The typical Roman grid pattern is still visible today in the old Gothic Quarter. During the medieval period there were many wars and development as a trading nation that transformed the area into a world power.
In the 1850’s the city struggled with a high population density and all the issues that come along with that. To solve this problem, a civic engineer by the name of Cerda, developed a new plan for a large section of the city. This new section is called Eixample. This is the mainly residential section where we have an apartment.
The Eixample is characterized by long straight streets, a strict grid pattern crossed by wide avenues, and square blocks with chamfered corners. This was a visionary, pioneering design that considered traffic and transport along with sunlight and ventilation in coming up with his characteristic octagonal blocks, where the streets broaden at every intersection making for greater visibility, better ventilation and (today) some short-term parking areas.
Our rented Airbnb apartment is in this Eixample area and it took some getting used to the octagonal intersections. Basically, while walking the nice wide sidewalks and you come to a corner, you have to walk 30 feet back to the right get the cross walk. At each block you walk this little jog, cross, then jog back left onto the sidewalk. The visibility is great at each corner because they are chamfered off. Trees line all these streets along with 7-8 story apartment buildings. At the street level are all the shops.
The city has ten distinct sections from the medieval Gothic Quarter to more modern sections. We have walked most of the Eixample, Born, Raval and Gothic sections, but not too much into other areas.
In our section of the city, it is mainly residential apartment buildings with the lower level the shops and a huge amount of coffee and pastry shops. The actual restaurants are much sparser here than in Italy. Most local restaurants are your tapas bars. In fact, while out walking, we see people eating at the sidewalk tables having a drink or coffee and not much eating. Many older people enjoying a visit with friends and a drink. Just different cultures.
I’ll add more observations as the days go by.
Sagrada Familia
This is the largest church in the world and still under construction. Designed by the famous Spanish designer Antoni Gaudi and work began in 1882 and still continues today with completion planned for 2026. The design is over the top with many intricate patterns and designs. It is said that Gaudà carried the Art Nouveau style far beyond its usual application as a surface decoration. I would have to agree.
Sant Pau Recinto Modernista Hospital
Barcelona has many designer buildings from the Gaudi era including a hospital that was built in 1905 and is well known for the art nouveau style as well cutting-edge technologies through the years. We took a self-guided tour through five of the buildings on the campus. It was awarded World Heritage status by UNESCO in 1997.
Wrap Up
Our section of the city is well organized and designed. We see people picking up trash and local trash dumpsters at most street corners. The Gothic section is from the 1500’s and has the narrow, but very picturesque streets and many more restaurants and bars. More to explore in the next update! Thanks for following along and God Bless.
