Philadelphia Tribune - Index

Philadelphia Tribune - April Magazine - Blogger Nation - Index

La Pedrera was
built as a combined
apartment and
office building.
which comes in handy just in case you
forgot anything. There are also several
restaurants serving everything from
tapas (a sampling of little Spanish goodies)
to McDonald’s.
So after a small snack, it was off and
running – most especially to La Sagrada
Familia, one of Gaudi’s masterpieces
and a truly awe-inspiriting site. There
you’ll be amazed at the magnificent
spires of the unfinished cathedral as they
imprint themselves boldly against the
sky with swelling outlines inspired by
the holy mountain Montserrat.
Encrusted with a tangle of sculptures
that almost seem to be alive, you will
most likely encounter long lines. But
28 TRIBUNE MAGAZINE APRIL 2008
grin and bear it because this may be
Barcelona at its finest so you don’t want
to miss. Just follow the crowds because
everywhere there’s a Gaudi, they are all
around it, in it, or on it.
Sprinkled around the city are several
other Gaudi creations, such as La
Pedrera, built as a combined apartment
and office building. Featuring a wavy
stone façade and elaborate wrought-iron
balconies, visitors can tour the building,
winding up to the roof where giant multicolored
chimney pots create an atmosphere
that resembles a combination of
medieval knights mixed with a playful
Doctor Seuss.
And no matter how little time you
Barcelona is situated on the northeastern coast of the Iberian
peninsula and the shores of the Mediterranean.
have, don’t pass up a visit to Guell Park,
where fantastic works await you at every
turn. This is just one more eye-opening
creation this city is known for.
But Barcelona is known for even
more, like Tibidabo, the highest hill in
the wood range that forms the backdrop
to Barcelona. And if the air is clear, it
offers one of the best places to view the
entire city. The locals come visiting
because of the amusement park that’s
known for all kinds of thrills and chills.
Back down on earth, please put the
Picasso Museum on your list of mustsees.
Housed in three strikingly beautiful
stone mansions, it features works
from the artist’s early years, especially
his Blue Period.
You’ll also want to wander around
Las Ramblas – five separate streets
strung end to end in a tree-lined pedestrian
boulevard packed with living statues,
mimes, salespeople selling everything
one could imagine, and an atmosphere
of fun and frenzy.
Stop along the way to take a cup of
cappuccino in one of the small cafes and
spend some time relaxing and peoplewatching.
There’s so much more to see in
Barcelona that it’s impossible to cover it
all here. You simply must see it for yourself
to believe it. And whatever you do,
do not go to Spain without seeing
T
Barcelona.
Rita Charleston is a travel writer for the
Tribune Magazine.