The Volcanic Cloud and Industrial Action
We have previously mentioned the Volcanic Cloud and now our plans to visit Menorca could be hit by Industrial Action.
What ever happens many more people will get to Menorca via
Barcelona. visit the Members page to see how you can pass away the time between the Train and the Ferry!
Barcelona is the second largest city in Spain after Madrid
and is the capital of Catalonia.
It has a population of 1,621,537 and is the sixth-most
populous urban area in the European Union after Paris, London,
Ruhr area, Madrid and Milan.
It is also Europe's largest metropolitan area on the Mediterranean coast.
Located between the mouths of the rivers Llobregat and Besòs
and is bounded to the west by the Serra de Collserola ridge which rises to 512 meters (1,680 ft). The city is well known in for the 1992 Summer Olympics, and is home to the Headquarters of the Union for the Mediterranean States.
Founded as a Roman city, Barcelona became the capital of the Counts of Barcelona. After merging with the Kingdom of Aragon, it became one of the most important cities of the Crown of Aragon.
Besieged several times during its history, Barcelona is an
important cultural centre with a rich cultural heritage as well
as being a major tourist destination.
Particularly renowned are architectural works of Antoni Gaudí and Lluís Domènech i Montaner that have been designated UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
Some important Roman ruins can be found close to the Plaça del Rei, entrance to the city museum.
In this area the typical Roman grid-plan is still visible to this today in the layout of the historic centre, known as Barri Gòtic ("Gothic Quarter"). Some remaining fragments of the Roman walls have been incorporated into the Cathedral.
The cathedral, also known as basilica La Seu is said to have been founded in 343. The city was conquered by the Visigoths
in the early fifth century and initially became the capital of the whole of Hispania.
Barcelona has 68 municipal parks, divided into 12 historic parks, 5 thematic (botanical) parks, 45
urban parks and 6 forest parks. They range from small parks to large recreation areas. The urban
parks alone cover 10% of the city (549.7 ha/1,358.3 acres).
Barcelona's largest parks, Montjuïc is some 203 ha. It is situated on the mountain of the same name.
Next in size is Ciutadella Park, situated on the site of the old military citadel and today houses the Parliament building, the zoo and several museums. It covers an area of 31 ha/76.6 acres including the zoo). Barcelona's most famous park, the Guinardó Park (19 ha/47.0 acres), was designed by Antoni Gaudi. The park
was originally part of a commercially unsuccessful housing site, the idea of Count Eusebi Güelli, after whom the park was named.
Over time it has been converted into a municipal garden. It can be reached by underground railway (although the stations are at a distance from the Park), by city buses, or by commercial tourist buses. While entrance to the Park is free, Gaudí's house, "la Torre Rosa," — containing furniture that he designed —can be only visited for an entrance fee. There is a reduced ratefor those wishing to see both Park Güell and the Sagrada Familia.
Barcelona has seven beaches, totalling 4.5 km (2.8 mi) of coastline. Sant Sebastià and Barceloneta beaches, both 1,100 m
(3,610 ft) in length, are the largest, oldest and the most frequented beaches in Barcelona. The Olympic port separates
them from the other city beaches: Nova Icària, Bogatell, Mar Bella, Nova Mar Bella and Llevant.
These beaches (ranging from 400 to 640 m/1,300 to 2,100 ft) were opened as a result of the city restructuring to host the 1992 Summer Olympics, when a great number of industrial buildings were demolished.
At present, the beach sand is replenished from
quarries given that storms regularly remove large quantities of material. The 2004 Universal Forum of Cultures left the
city a large concrete bathing zone on the eastmost part of the city's coastline. Barceloneta beach gained status as the
best urban beach in the World and total third best beach in the World, according the documentary film "Worlds Best Beaches"
produced by Discovery Channel in 2005.
The Cathedral is a beautiful example of Catalan Gothic architecture, started in 1298.
The complicated facade was added much later, in the 19th century.
The Cathedral is to be found in the heart of the old quarter in Placa de la Seu and is surrounded by buildings of interest.
Every Sunday at noon, local people gather in front of the Cathedral to dance the famous Sardana, the Catalan national dance. You will be made welcome to join in.
The steps to the Cathedral are also popular with street beggars and entertainers.
The Columbus Monument ,Monument a Colom, in Catalan is also known as the Monumento a Colón and Mirador de Colón in Spanish.
It rises 60 m (197 ft) tall and is topped by the statue of
Christopher Columbus. It is located at the lower end of La Rambla and was constructed for the Exposición Universal de Barcelona. It is said to stand at the site where Columbus returned to Spain after his first voyage to the Americas. The monument serves as a reminder that Barcelona is where Christopher Columbus reported to Queen Isabella and Ferdinand after Columbus' most famous second trip.