I have accumulated a little backlog keeping my blog updated. I do apologise to all my readers.
My last trip was a short week (it sounds better than a long week-end when you talk about 5 days) in Barcelona for New Year. After much considerations, Bee and I settled on the Hostal Goya as the right place to stay. It is a high recommendation in the Lonely Planet, and is located right in the heart of Barcelona, just a few minute walk from the Barri Gotic, the historical center of Barcelona. The hotel was a success but you have to know the exact address in order to find it as there are no visible signs on the outside. It is one floor in a 5 story private building – never stayed at a hotel like that. More details about it and the restaurants where we ate at the bottom of this post.
Here is a panorama of the city from Parco del Mirador de Migdia on Montjuic Hill. We actually went there on the last full day, but it is a good way to start exploring the city. In the forefront, you can see the top station of the cable car we took to get there. The Mediterranean Sea is on the right, with the Marina District. Barcelona is surrounded by hills and you can see some of them in the background.
Here is a more focused view with, in the center, the Sagrada Familia, without a doubt the most ‘interesting’ building I have ever seen!
Getting closer and closer, the rear facade of the Sagrada Familia, still being constructed more than 70 years after the death of Antoni Gaudi who designed it. This is the “Nativity Facade” facing East. Construction began in 1882 with the crypt under the direction of Francisco De Paula del Villar who had designed it as a standard gothic church. Gaudi began work on it in 1883 and quickly replaced Villar. Needless to say, he changed the design somewhat.
The visit of the Church begins with a trip up one of the completed spires. You can move up and down in staircases that are built around the hollow core of the towers. This is looking down from about 1/2 way up.
The details are incredible. There are fruit ornaments everywhere, in most cases, nobody will ever be able to see these.
Continue reading “Barcelona at New Year”
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