Effective Travels: The Heart Of Spain

Back in the first century BC a couple thousand Romans decided to start a city on the coast, fortified by a huge stone wall. The city became a fruitful, romanized metropolis for the growth of a nation under the Roman Emperor Augustus. Over two thousand years later, Barcelona, Spain is still just as fruitful. It has gone through Muslim rule, Christian reconquest, many differing empires, and medieval influence.

All of this history shines through in one or another part of the vibrant city. The New York Times states this perfectly with the words: “Barcelona is the undisputed cultural capital of Spain. The names associated with Barcelona and Catalonia over the years - Gaudi, Picasso, Miro, Dali -are proof enough of its richness” (Markham 1). Because of all the history, trips to Barcelona need to be structured around a few different areas of sightseeing. When traveling to Barcelona, a most enjoyable trip would include a visit to some of the world's oldest churches and cathedrals, the beautiful coastline and landscapes, and the busy, vibrant markets. Taking time to appreciate history makes a trip to Barcelona abundantly more special. The churches and cathedrals are a must have on your vacations to do list. One of the oldest cathedrals in Spain, La Sagrada Familia, is an iconic Catalonian piece of architecture.

The beautiful church began to be built in 1882. Although many architects have been in charge of creating the masterpiece over the years, Gaudí is the most well known one. He took over the project in 1883 and worked on it for forty three years. A professor in Bucharest, Romania claims that “the architects have all respected Gaudí's vision and have made additions with his design in mind” (Stefan 15). But even as it is being built, La Sagrada is still open to tourists. The colorful outside invites to a even more colorful inside, and the history and height of it is breathtaking. Even with the looming cranes and construction, this classic piece of art is an unforgettable sight and a must see to truly experience Barcelona’s history. According to the official Sagrada website, about “70% of the Basilica is finished” (History 3). 2026 is the tentative end date, but sightseers enjoy it just as much now as ever. Another amazing piece of architecture in Barcelona is the Temple Expiatori del Sagrat Cor, also known as the Temple of Tibidabo. Standing at over eighteen hundred feet above sea level, the towering church gives you a beautiful view of the entire city. Visitors can see all the way to the ocean, and the cathedral can be seen from all over the city. The bright white color and huge statue of Jesus perched on the top are only part of the breathtaking height of the structure.

The inside is filled with beautiful paintings and sculptures; the detail is extraordinary. After sixty years of construction, the Sacred Heart of Jesus was complete in 1961. It was partially built in conjunction with two other churches built around the world, says a world travel guide to Barcelona, Unusual Places. “The church Sacro Cuore di Gesu was built in 1887 in Rome. And later in 1914, the Basilica de Sacre-Coeur was built in Paris. So, all three churches in three cities share the name and some architectural similarities” (Temple 3). Visiting the churches and cathedrals of Barcelona can not be overlooked on a trip to this historic city. In this day in age, photos can make or break a trip. Memories can only hold so much of the beauty that happened in a trip. The iconic, colorful coastline and beach of Barcelona, along with other beautiful views of the whole city, are great additions to an exciting trip. One of the oldest parts of town is the Gothic Quarter, which houses some of the oldest buildings in Barcelona. This is where the “Romans laid claim to the land and built their first settlement” (Exceptional 2). Remains of the wall that the Romans built around the city are still here to see, and some of the buildings in the Gothic Quarter date back to medieval times too. Most of the roads are closed to cars and public transportation, allowing visitors to freely explore. The architecture of this part of Barcelona unique because of the influence of so many cultures and civilizations. Another breathtaking place to visit in Barcelona is Canet de Mar. Along with the mostly untouched coastline and beach, there is also a beautiful castle open to visitors called Santa Florentina. Walking a bit beyond the castle, one reaches the top of Pedro Castle Hill marked with a huge white cross, where there is a beautiful view of the entire town. One more stunning view of Barcelona is Montjüic Hill.

Starting from the top is fortress-like castle surrounded by various types of greenery including botanical gardens and fountains. The castle overlooks the harbor, and a popular way to reach it, other then driving, is riding a cable car, which gives an aerial view of the city. Tourists can see every part of the city from the sky, the beach, the harbor, the color, the exteriors of the cathedrals, and the magnificence of the photogenic city as a whole. All of these places can give visitors beautiful pictures to cherish of the city. The markets of Barcelona are perfect places to get a meal, find one of a kind souvenirs, and enjoy the culture and history of the city. Although many of them have been around for centuries, they are still beautiful and thriving. One of the most classic parts of the city is a part of town called Las Ramblas. It cuts through the center of Barcelona and is often a landmark for sightseeing. Even though it is less than a mile long, it is packet with boutiques, a beautiful and historic fountain, and a huge market called the Boqueria. The color of Barcelona and all of Spain comes from the culture and the people. Small, family run stores line the streets of Las Ramblas that selling food, paintings, and more art. Famous around town is the fountain named the Font de Canaletes in the middle of the Ramblas.

The story behind it is that if someone drinks the water, they will fall in love with the city and for sure come back in their lifetime. Very hard to miss, it is gray with gold embellishments and a lamppost on top. And lastly, the most well known part, and loved by the locals, La Boqueria! The impressive iron entrance leads to a world of food, packed into one market. Established in the 1200s, La Boqueria holds all kinds of foods, from fresh fruit to chocolate to fresh fish to macaroons. One local recommends the fruit stands, saying that “the fruit stalls throughout the market sell freshly squeezed fruit juices of many different varieties - a healthy and refreshing treat in the middle of the mayhem” (Bolton 6). Barcelona markets bring out the intricate culture of this thriving city, giving travelers a taste of the heart of Barcelona. To truly experience the beautiful, historical, and culturally rich city of Barcelona, taking the markets, cathedrals, and panoramic views into consideration make the trip so much more spectacular and memorable. Appreciating the history and limited time a visitor has in a place makes a vacation more pointed and exciting, and knowing what a trip to Barcelona should entail can help planning and experiencing so much more pleasurable. Just as the Ancient Roman were drawn to this point of the world, there is no wonder why tourists are drawn to it now. The history combined with the beauty of nature make Barcelona one of the most beautiful and diverse cities in the world.