Posts Tagged ‘Plaza Espanya’
Sants-Montjuïc is one of 10 districts Barcelona contains. Since 1984 it is shortly called District 3. It covers the southern part of the city. It borders to Les Corts, Eixample , Ciutat Vella , L’Hospitalet de Llobregat and El Prat de Llobregat. On the « Plaza Espanya » the districts of Sants Montjuïc and Eixample meet each other.
Actually only a round about, the Plaza Espanya is a very famous Place in Barcelona. In the ancient times the city wall of Barcelona ran through it. Here was the rest of the area for those who wanted to commute to Barcelona. Gigantic stairs ascend to the MNAC, Museu National d’ Art Catalunya and later to Montjuïc and its popular parks itself. Half way up the steps there is the magic fountain located, which entertains lot of people with its amazing show of light-water and music effects, in the evenings of the weekends in summer times. The area around the Plaza Espanya is very quiet and safe and not far away from the old city center. You only have to walk about 15 minutes and you find yourself right on the “Plaza Catalunya” and the “Rambla”. At the Plaza espanya numerous bus-and metro lines stop and even in the night the “nit bus” takes you from the “Plaza Catalunya” to the “Plaza Espanya”. Overall there are various bars and restaurants where you can enjoy the nice Spanish summer nights. It is a pretty good area to live if you want to combine the pros of a metropolis and the quietness and nature of beautiful Montjuïc!
The National Museum of Catalan Art (MNAC) is, without doubt, one of the best sights of Brcelona. It is located across the Fountaing of Montjuic. The museum is among the seven most important museums in the city, along with CCCB, MCBA, Antonio Tapies Foundation, La Pedrera de Caixa Catalunya, the Picasso Museum and the Joan Miró Foundation.
The first Sunday of every month, many of the museums are free. I therefore rushed to get there, to save some money while enjoying my Sunday. In this museum, there are several different sections: Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance-Baroque, Modern Art, and each has its own characteristic. There are audio guides available in several different languages.
Here are the current exhibits:
- Roman Art: Exhibition of works of Catalonia between X and XIII century. This is a movement in which there are many murals, which makes this a special and different exhibit.
- Art-Gothic: Characterized by material wealth and wide variety of techniques, such as rural paintings, sculpture and woodcraft.
-The Renaissance and Baroque: Composed of numerous donations, this exhibition comes from all countries, and transmits an evolution of European art since the sixteenth century.
- Modern-Art: One of my favorites. There are the great artists like Dalí, Gaudí and many others. It is one of the most important exhibits of Barcelona with a mixture of realism and modernism.
To complete your visit, you can see the collections of drawings and photographs. Finally, you also have the temporary exhibitions. It is an immense journey through time, and you can learn a lot about the Art of Catalonia!
Address: Parc de Montjuïc, 08038 Sants / Montjuïc, Barcelona
Hours: Tuesday-Saturday: 10-19h and Sunday: 10-14h30
Price: 8.50 euros
Metro/ Bus: Espanya
In Fira de Barcelona, near Plaza Espanya, the Barcelona International Motor Show 2009 will take place from 9-17 May. This event is recognized as the only official Motor event in Spain and held every two years. Now Barcelona is about to kick off the 35th edition.
Besides commercial cars and vans of over 50 brands with their wide range, there will be many other products and services available, such as:
· Equipment for customising motor vehicles
· Spare parts, components and accessories
· Car audio equipment, telephones and alarms
· Oil companies
· Lubricants, additives and chemical products
· Tyres
· Pit zone and dynamic vehicle trials (4×4)
· Technical press
· Services and miscellaneous
The event starts on 7 May, 2009 with the 7th and 8th only for press and professional visitors. During the evening of 8 May the doors will open for the “Noche del Automóvil” of “Night of the car” between 8.30 pm and 11.00 pm. From the 9th of May until the 17th of May, the event will be open for visitors.
More information? Click here
Montjuic is one of the two hills around Barcelona and is a very nice place to visit or step away from the crazy city centre. The mountain has two faces, firstly there is the East side of the mountain. You can access it in three ways: on foot, by bus of by Funicular (The cable train/lift who takes you from the Paral.lel Metro station to the top of Montjuic.)
The nicest but most expensive way is off course the Funicular. On the way to the top you will be able to enjoy views of playing children and people relaxing on one of the hillside parks. On top of the mountain you will see a Medieval Castle.
Secondly there is the West side of the mountaitn and this side can be reached on foot from Plaza Espanya. People who don’t like too many stairs can even take the escalators.
Make a walk on this side of the mountain and you will see some of the most beautiful Olympic stadions and artworks designed for the 1992 Olympics. On top you will encounter the colossal palace, the National Museum of Catalan art. On your way down you should stop at the Poble Espanyol, an authentic Spanish village.
Tip: Go to the entrance near Plaza Espanya and watch the magic fountain at night, a really beautiful spectacle!!!
