30/08/2002: 

The magic of Barcelona

You have certainly heard of Barcelona, worldwide known after hosting the 1992’ Olympic games, when Brazil won the men’s volleyball gold medal. However, what attracts so many tourists to this city is not the Olympics. Barcelona is very rich regarding its art and architecture, featuring a lot of historical buildings and, as if it were not enough, is located on the Mediterranean Sea.

Barcelona is marked by the creativity and boldness of Spanish architect Antonio Gaudí. You may not remember this name, but you certainly have a picture of his greatest work, the amazing church of La Sagrada Família, not yet finished. The project is so grand that it is supposed to be finished as far as in 2082, completing 100 years of construction! My first impression, upon facing the enormous building, was one of perplexity. You have to stop and observe it to understand the details and the whole. Its eight towers are adorned as if they were sand castles, and their tips are round. Gaudí didn’t fancy straight lines. In the church nave, there are drawings of Jesus, Mary and the apostles, besides passages of the Bible. If the church is finished, it will be the largest one in Europe.

Among many buildings designed by Gaudí, La Pedrera and Casa Batllo stand out. Both are located in Barcelona city centre. These buildings are true sculptures that reveal Gaudí’s boldness and originality, in his search of putting together architecture, art and nature.

A little to the north of the city, Guell Park also has a good number of works by the architect. Whether they are beautiful or not, for it varies depending on people’s taste, it is impossible not to be interested in the shapes created by Gaudí. To celebrate the architect’s 150^th birthday, a tour around the buildings he designed was organized, featuring exhibitions about his life and work. It could not have been better, since Barcelona itself is his biggest open-air museum.

Because it is old, Barcelona has also historical churches and houses. The Gothic neighbourhood is the oldest one, with narrow stone roads where cars do not pass. There you find Barcelona’s Cathedral, a beautiful Gothic construction. The interior of this church is handsome, one of the most beautiful I’ve seen in Europe.

Still downtown, La Rambla Avenue is like “rua da Praia” to the inhabitants of Porto Alegre, just a little bit touristier. It is full of souvenir shops, restaurants, and hotels. What attracts most are the costume jewellery and craft fairs, not to mention, of course, the lovely street artists. They are traditional in Barcelona, and amuse tourists and travellers. At the end of the avenue, quite close to the harbour, at Cólon Square, Christopher Columbus’ statue points to America. Upon arriving at the Mediterranean shore, the large avenue full of palm trees leaves no doubt that we are at a beach, with a very blue sea. Surrounding the beach, there are the newest and trendiest buildings.

A little farther from the city centre, you find signs of the well-known 92’ Olympics. It is possible to visit the football stadium, the swimming pools and the athletics field. However, in order to get to the Olympic Park, you need to pass by the National Museum, an imposing and very beautiful building, from where you have a broad view of the city.

Why is Barcelona so much visited? For me, the city is unique. Firstly, due to the magical and artistic touch of Antonio Gaudí. However puzzling its architecture may be, you’ll never see anything like what you see in Barcelona. Secondly, Barcelona features a beautiful Mediterranean beach and very important historical buildings. And, last of all, because it is a Spanish city full of attractions, of elegance, of life and of magic!  

Pictures: 

- Temple of the Holy Family:   1,   2,   3,   4

- La Pedreira (The Quarry):   1,   2

- Beach:   1