10 Days Spanish Splendors Tour
10 Days Spanish Splendors Tour
10 Days Spanish Splendors Tour
AMAZING FACTS
Madrid is not only the capital of Spain. It is also the geographical centre of the
country. At the centre of Madrid you can find the Puerta del Sol ("The Sun Gate"),
which is the centre of the country & the Spanish radial road system
Although Spanish is the majority language, Spain has 4 co-official languages -
Catalan, Basque, Galician & Aranese
Spanish is the world’s second most spoken mother tongue
UNESCO's third largest heritage country, it has 44 UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
Only Italy and China have more
The Sistine Chapel of Prehistory is in Spain, at Altamira cave, near Santander
It’s the World’s largest producer of Olive Oil
The current King of Spain is Felipe VI
More than 1 million hectares are dedicated to wine
There are more than 8000 beaches in Spain
Traditionally, you have 2 surnames in Spain – the 1 st surname from your father & 2nd
from your mother
The Spanish prefer to sleep for a few hours after lunch before returning to work. This
means that stores may be closed from about 2 to 5pm. But, they usually open again
until around 8 or 9pm
Spain is the only country in Europe that produces bananas
VISAS
Single/Multiple Entry?
E-Visa/Sticker Visa?
Passport Validity?
Documents Required?
VISA INFORMATION
Visa Application Form
Biometric
2 Photos
Your passport.
Copies of passport pages with info.
Flight reservation.
Proof of accommodation.
Medical Insurance.
Medical Certificate.
Proof of Sufficient Financial Means.
HOTELS IN MADRID
HOTEL EUROSTARS CENTRAL 4*
Standard Room (22sqm)
Standard Room with Balcony (26sqm)
Superior (31sqm)
Highlights: Main façade, Grand Staircase, Throne Room, Hall of Columns, Dining
Room, Antechamber of Charles III (The Conversation Room), Royal Armory, Plaza de
Oriente, Palace Gardens known as the Campo del Moro (“The Moor’s Field”),
Sabatini Gardens
PLAZA MAYOR
A famous public square located at the center of the city
The Plaza Mayor’s origins date back to the reign of Philip III in 14 th Century, with
architect Juan de Herrera undertaking the original design, it was completed in 1619
Unfortunately, it then suffered several bouts of flaming bad luck.
The first fire struck in 1631
The second fire happened in 1670 and another fire struck the plaza in 1790
The plaza we know and love today was then rebuilt by Juan de Villanueva (he took it
from 5 to 3 floors, among other changes). The construction took years & finally
finished in 1854
Its first name was the Plaza del Arraba, Later it was changed to Plaza de la
Constitución and Plaza de la República. At the end of the Spanish Civil War, it was
finally given its current name: the Plaza Mayor
Throughout the years, the Plaza Mayor has been used for a variety of different
purposes. It was once used as a marketplace for food & other goods. It’s also been
the site of many events like bullfights, public executions, trials during the Spanish
Inquisition and crowning ceremonies
Nowadays, you can find several pleasant outdoor cafes and restaurants in the plaza,
usually full of tourists.
It’s the main place for annual Christmas markets, held since 1860
A stone slab on the pavement in front of the main entrance to the Casa de Correos
marks Spain’s Kilometre 0, the starting point for all major radial roads in Spain
THE PRADO
It is one of the biggest and most important museums in the world.
Its collection includes works of European artists, from the 12th to the 19th century
The construction of the Prado was interrupted during the Napoleonic Wars, and
completed in 1819
The word 'prado' means 'meadow' and the museum was named as such because its
location used to be market gardens
The Museo del Prado is 1 of 3 museums in Madrid that make up the Golden Triangle
of Art. The other 2 museums are Museo Reina Sofia & Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum
The original collections of Museo Nacional Del Prado were sourced in the monarchs
of the Habsburg and Bourbon in Spain.
100 years after it officially opened, the Museo del Prado had run out of space in the
original structure. An addition was added to the building
2 buildings were added in 1950s & 1960s, enlarging the complex even more as the
years went on to house the growing collection
In 2007 another wing was added to accommodate its growing collection
The Museo del Prado's collection is so large that only 1/7th of the collection is on
display at any given time
The Prado contains the most complete collections in the world of the works of El
Greco, Velázquez, and Francisco de Goya, as well as of such Spanish masters as José
de Ribera and Francisco de Zurbarán.
The exhibition at the Prado presents 10 paintings realized by Picasso between 1906
and 1967
RETIRO PARK
El Retiro Park was planned in 1632 as a palace garden for King Felipe IV and it
belonged to them until the 19th century when it was converted to Public Park
Inside the park, there is section dedicated to Roses, there are at least more than
4,000 stems, of which you can breathe in at once
GRAN VÍA
The Gran Vía (The Great Way) is one of the most important shopping areas in
Madrid, Spain
The Gran Vía is the street that never sleeps and is also popularly referred to as the
Broadway of Madrid
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The plan to create this street was devised in the middle of the 19th century because
of the decision of the urban planners to have a thoroughfare, which can connect the
Calle de Alcala with the Plaza de Espana
This project gave the architects an opportunity to create many modern buildings.
The most appealing and eye catching building is the Edificio Metropolis (Metropolis
building). This famous building is situated at the beginning of the Calle de Alcala. This
is a landmark of the city, and was constructed during the years 1907 and 1911
Other Landmarks on the Route
- Edificio Grassy
- Plaza del Callo
- Edificio de Espana
- the Torre de Madrid
- Plaza de Espana
SPANISH CUISINE
Whether you're on a city break in Barcelona or Madrid, or you've plumped for a
countryside or coastal retreat, Spanish food is full of flavor and character
Must try Dishes include
o Gazpacho - A Traditional Reddest Tomato Soup with Herbs & Olive oil
o Salmorejo - A Version of Gazpacho Originating from Cordoba
o Paella - Often considered as Spain’s National Dish, made of Rice, Butter Beans
(Vaal), French Beans, Saffron & Herbs
o Tortilla Española - Spanish omelette with potatoes, onions & herbs
o Gambas al ajillo - sizzling prawns
o Pollo al ajillo – Garlic Chicken
It was former capital of Spain, until 1560 when Philip II of Spain moved his court to
Madrid
One product Toledo has been renowned for since the 16th century is Toledo steel.
For this reason, Toledo became a centre of traditional sword-making and Toledo
swords became the standard weaponry among the Romans
Elsewhere in Spain, marzipan usually comes in the form of a traditional Christmas
cake, but here you can find it sold as a daily snack. Mazipan is made from almond
paste and is traditionally made to resemble cute animals
Within Spain, we can also find more “Toledos” besides the former imperial capital
city. The provinces of Asturias, Huesca, Orense & Tenerife all have their own Toledo
There are many cities that share the name Toledo. Among our international
namesakes we can find 6 cities in the United States & in addition, another 7
distributed all over the world, in Belize, Brazil, Canada, Colombia, the Philippines,
Portugal and Uruguay
Pick-up: 1000hrs
Duration: 5hrs
CATEDRAL DE TOLEDO
Construction began in 1227 under the reign of King Ferdinand the Saint on site of the
Great Mosque of Toledo
Built from 1227 to 1493, the long process is reflected in Toledo Cathedral's variety of
style
The famous Spanish Renaissance painter El Greco played a major role in the
evolution of the cathedral as a repository of fine art
The awe-inspiring, enormous gold-grilled gates and altar in the main chapel make
the interior shimmer.
The chapel’s works of art, elaborate frescoes, massive doors, detailed sculptures and
intricate crucifixes give visitors the feeling of stepping back in time to hundreds of
years ago and walking through centuries of history
ALCÁZAR DE TOLEDO
As in many Spanish cities, there is a majestic Alcazar fortress, crowning the city. The
kings of Castile used the fortress as their residence
Built in the 3rd century and initially used as a Roman Palace, the Alcazar has played
an important role in the history of Spain.
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Over the centuries, the building has served many purposes, including being used as a
castle, a fortress, a prison, a military headquarters, and the King’s residence
The current design was constructed in the 16th century by King Carlos V
During the Spanish Civil War in the 1930s, the building was severely damaged but
was rebuilt in the years that followed.
Today, it houses the Museum of the Army as well as a regional library.
OTHER ATTRACTIONS
SINAGOGA DEL TRÁNSITO
PLAZA DE ZOCODOVER
MOSQUE OF CRISTO DE LA LUZ
Home to one of Europe’s most colorful festival Feria de Abril, its a week long spring
fair with dancing, drinking, eating and socializing
AVE TRAIN
With 3,100km of track the Spanish high-speed AVE trains operate on the longest
high-speed network in Europe
Running at speeds of up to 310 kmph this extensive network allows for fast
connections between Major cities in Spain
They may be cold (mixed olives & cheese) or warm (like chopitos, battered, fried
baby squid)
PLAZA DE ESPAÑA
Plaza de España is a large half-circle facing the Guadalquivir River, from which ships
began their journey towards America.
It was originally created as a symbol of Spain's history and its bond with American
colonies. It was designed by the great Seville architect Aníbal González
Covering a total of 50,000sqm, it took 15 years to build and was completed just one
month before the Expo
It was built for the Ibero-American Exhibition of 1929 aka Expo 29, which took place
in Maria Luisa park, as the Pabellon de Andalucia
There is a navigable canal along the entire perimeter of the square, crossed by 4
bridges representing the 4 ancient kingdoms of Spain (Castile, León, Navarre &
Aragón)
Every Spanish province is represented in Plaza de España in the form of large tiled
alcoves
They all share the same layout: the front features a scene from a historic event, with
characteristic monuments along the sides and a map of the province on the ground,
flanked by a pair of covered bookshelves containing information about that province
REAL ALCÁZAR
The Alcázar of Seville is a royal palace in Seville, Spain, built for the Christian king
Peter of Castile.
It is the oldest royal palace still in use in Europe.
The Alcázar of Seville is a magnificent marriage of Christian & Mudéjar architecture
The term Alcázar comes from the Arabic al-qaṣr, itself derived from the Latin
castrum (“castle”).
The Alcázar started life in the 10th century as a fort for the Cordoban governors of
Seville but it was in the 11th century that it got its first major rebuild.
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CATEDRAL DE SEVILLA
Seville Cathedral is one of the famous Roman Catholic cathedrals in Spain
It is the third largest cathedral in the word and the largest Gothic style cathedral.
The Reconquista in Spain was concluded in the year 1248 & Muslim structures
started being transformed into Christian ones.
Similar to the Alhambra in the area, Seville‘s cathedral was built to demonstrate the
city’s power and wealth
It was built on the site of the great 12th-century Almohad mosque
the Seville mosque was turned into the Seville Cathedral in the 13th century
The cathedral’s construction lasted over a century, from 1401 to 1506
After its completion, Seville Cathedral supersede Hagia Sophia as the largest
cathedral in the world, a title the Byzantine church had held for nearly a thousand
years
The cathedral consists of 80 chapels
In 1987, UNESCO added this church as a World Heritage site
Christopher Columbus is buried in this church
Other cities claim to hold the remains of Christopher Columbus – Havana, Cuba, and
Santo Domingo in the Domican Republic - but recent DNA tests proved beyond
doubt that this tomb does hold Columbus
The stuffed crocodile, known as El Lagarto is always a fun spot for kids. It was a gift
from the Sultan of Egypt to King Alfonso X, for asking for the hand in marriage of his
daughter Berenguela. Although the Sultan did not wed the princess in the end, the
crocodile stayed, and was stuffed. Now it is one of the cathedral’s quirkier relics
The tower is 104.1m (341.5ft) in height and remains one of the most important
symbols of the city, as it has been since medieval times
CALLE SIERPES
The pedestrianized stretch of Calle Sierpes is the commercial heart of Seville.
Since the 15th century, it’s been an important center of trade, home to blacksmiths,
cobblers and artisans.
A shopping street for centuries, it used to be called Calle Espaderos, as it was once
home to a fellowship of sword (espada) makers
This traditional, bustling street, today plays host to some of the city’s most
important events.
It is part of the Official Route for Semana Santa (link interno), running from the Plaza
de la Campana to the Plaza de San Francisco.
At the end of the shopping day, it becomes a place for relaxed chats in its bars, cafés
and bakeries
OTHER ATTRACTIONS
SANTA CRUZ NEIGHBORHOOD
SOUVENIRS
The first hand fan in Spain dates from 1802 in Valencia and quickly became a must
have among upper class women
Many traditional Spanish dances use the abanico as a prop, and you can find fans in
a variety of colors and styles, all with a range of elaborate and beautiful designs for a
unique gift.
It can be used as they were intended to cool yourself off at outdoor events or for
home decór that is easy to change and update
The secret language of the Spanish “abanico“
- Wave fan very fast: “I really like you”
- Open fan over the chest showing the design “Yes”
- And many more secret gestures
ARTISTIC TURRON
its origins can actually be traced back to the Moors who invaded the country back in
the early Middle Ages
This nutty confection, also known as nougat is widely enjoyed across Spain with well-
established artisans cooking it to perfection and making mouths water for years.
There are basically two types of Turron, a soft kind, and a hard kind. The soft kind is
usually very easy on the tooth and the hard kind is rich in almonds and nuts
OTHER SOUVENIRS
Flamenco dress
Bota (leather bottle)
Spanish saffron
HISTORIC CENTRE
The charming, well-preserved historic center belongs to the UNESCO World Heritage
It reflects thousands of years of occupation by different cultural groups – Roman,
Visigoth, Islam, Judaism and Christian-, that all left a mark
Cordoba’s historic downtown area has preserved its enchanting panache over the
centuries.
The former Jewish Quarter (the so called Judería) harbors treasures of Moorish
architecture and is home to some of the most spectacular monuments in town
The Historic Centre of Cordoba now comprises the streets surrounding the Great
Mosque and all the parcels of land opening on to these, together with all the blocks
of houses around the mosque-cathedral
PLAZA DE LA CORREDERA
A popular meeting point of Cordoba for students
it is the only site in town with Castlilian buildings as they are found in Madrid or
Salamanca
The square’s actual appearance has remained unchanged since the 17th century
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The square had been the scene of executions and punishments ordered by the
Inquisition and it had also been bullring
Now throughout the year Corredera Square serves as an emblematic scene for
various cultural events, including the annual Flamenco Night
ROMAN BRIDGE
Built under the command of the Roman emperor Augustus in first century
The Moors in 918 extended the bridge to the state in which it appears today
At all times this bridge was of enormous significance for the city.
Once part of an important Roman commercial and military route, the bridge played a
key role in medieval times, when people protected their city against attacks of Peter
the Cruel
For 20 centuries, the only access bridge to Córdoba was the Roman Bridge
From 2004, vehicles are not allowed
MEZQUITA-CATEDRAL
The Mezquita (Spanish for "mosque") of Cordoba is a Roman Catholic cathedral.
When Muslims conquered Spain in 711, the church was first divided into Muslim
(Mosque) and Christian halves (Christian Visigothic Church)
This sharing arrangement of the site lasted until 784, when the Christian half was
purchased by the Emir ‘Abd al-Rahman I, who then proceeded to demolish the
original structure and build the grand mosque of Cordoba on its ground
The Emir wanted Cordoba to outshine Byzantium and Baghdad in science, culture &
arts, from where he had had to flee following the overthrow of his family in
Damascus
The dimensions of the Mosque kept growing, thanks to the additions by other
caliphs in the following centuries.
In 1236, the Mosque was reconverted into a Christian church, when Ferdinand III of
Castile conquered Cordoba.
The Christian rulers decided to preserve the Mosque, and instead of destroying it,
they enhance its beauty by adding new spaces and monuments
The Mosque’s focus point is a shell-shaped prayer niche, built in the 10th century.
The mihrab traditionally faces Mecca.
However, the Mosque of Cordoba’s mihrab faces south, just like the Damascus
Mosque, and not south-east, where Mecca is supposed to be
The most exquisite decoration in the whole complex is found in the 3 rd mihrab
(prayer niche), a small octagonal recess roofed with a single block of white marble
that is carved in the form of a shell and has walls inlaid with Byzantine-style mosaics
and gold
It is perhaps the most accomplished monument of the Umayyad dynasty of Cordoba
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The mosque had the original copy of Quran as well as an arm bone of Prophet
Mohammed, due to which it became a major Muslim pilgrimage site from 786-1235
Today it houses the main church of the diocese of Cordoba in Spain
Other Highlights include, Patio de los Naranjos (Orange & Palm Trees Courtyard), Bell
Tower, Maksura & Cathedral
MEDINA AZAHARA
The Caliphate city of Medina Azahara, literally “the shining city,” is an archaeological
site of a city built in the mid-10th century CE by the Umayyad dynasty as the seat of
the Caliphate of Cordoba
Legend has it that Abd ar-Rahman built Medina Azahara for his favorite concubine,
Azahara
The more likely reason for Medina Azahara is that the caliph wanted to show off the
power & importance of Islamic Spain, and establish it as a rival to the great cities of
the east
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Construction began in 936 AD, though it took 4 decades to complete, the initial
construction was quick.
By 945 the Caliph was in residence and in 947-948 he had moved his government
and entire court to the shining seat of his caliphate
After prospering for several years, it was laid to waste during the civil war that put an
end to the Caliphate in 1009-1010.
The remains of the city were forgotten for almost 1,000 years until their rediscovery
in the early 20th century.
This complete urban ensemble features infrastructure such as roads, bridges, water
systems, buildings, decorative elements and everyday objects.
ALHAMBRA
A UNESCO World Heritage Site, this medieval complex encompasses a palace,
fortress, and gardens, all with a richly-layered history
The word 'Alhambra' is a short form of the word 'Calat Alhambra' which is the name
given to a palace and fortress complex located in Granada, Andalusia, Spain.
King Abu Abdullah Muhammad ibn Yusuf ibn Nasr (known as Alhamar) founded the
Nasrid Kingdom in Granada
The palace started off as a small fortress that was built in 899.
After years of neglect, the Moorish king of Grenada renovated it in the 11th century.
The fortress was to later be converted into a royal palace in the 1333 century by
Yusuf I, Sultan of Granada.
The Alhambra Palace was home to the Spain Emirs until 1492 when the Catholic
Monarchs conquered the Nasrid Dynasty
The Palace was strategically located on the hill to give view of the whole expanse of
the city of Granada as well as the meadow
The Alhambra’s buildings include royal palaces, royal apartments, gardens, pavilions,
military barracks, mosques, churches, towers, and forts, most of which are enclosed
within a high stone wall. As with all cities that have a long history, the Alhambra
grew organically over time. There are four main sections
The Nasrid Palaces are comprised of the Comares Palace, the Palace of the Lions, and
the Partal Palace. These palaces showcase most of the extraordinary art in the
Alhambra
Apart from Nasrid Palace, other attractions Include: The Palace of Carlos V, The
Alcazaba, The Medina, Rauda - Royal Cemetery, Gardens & Palace of the Generalife
GENERALIFE
Recreational house of the sultans of Granada, surrounded by orchards and gardens
Linked to the Alhambra by a series of gardens and surrounded by 220 hectares of
meadows, the Generalife is filled with ornamental and vegetable gardens, beautiful
buildings, and constant renovation and rebuilding.
The Moorish gardening tradition can be seen throughout the Generalife
The most iconic water feature is the fountain in the Courtyard of the Lions, which
represents the 4 heavenly gardens of Islam. There you'll find a dish-like fountain held
up by 12 unique, beautifully carved marble lions. The lions each spout water, which
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runs through four water streams across the marble courtyard and then into other
rooms
GRANADA CATHEDRAL
Located in the city’s old quarter, specifically in Plaza de las Pasiegas, is the majestic
Granada Cathedral. I
t is considered to be Spain’s first Renaissance church since, when it was built, no
other churches in the country boasted such a distinctive architectural style.
Its construction began in 1523 and was not completely finished until 1704.
This emblematic building constituted a new era of Spanish religious Renaissance
buildings. Its façade and exteriors were perfected when its construction was
completed and are adorned by Baroque elements that complement the beauty of
this symbolic place.
Its interior is distinguished by its large halls flooded by light and its exquisite
decoration, consisting of various, perfectly conserved, allegorical works paying
tribute to religious passages
The Royal Chapel is connected to the cathedral and it is the final resting place of two
of the most notable historical figures from Spain
OTHER ATTRACTION
ALBAICÍN (ARAB QUARTER)
There is a dispute about the founding of Barcelona. There is one camp which claims
that Hercules founded the city about 400 years before the building of Rome. The
other side believes that Barcelona was built by Hamilcar Barca, the father of
Hannibal. The name Barcelona comes from the Barca family of Carthage who ruled
the area in the 3rd century before Christ
Gustave Eiffel’s original idea for Eiffel Tower was to pitch the proposal to the city of
Barcelona, and so he did. However, it didn’t go as planned and the city wasn’t too
convinced so they rejected
Barcelona had no beaches until the 1992 Olympics, Now, there are 7 blue-flagged
beaches dotting the city’s 4.5 km coastline.
Not to mention it has been voted the “Best Beach City” by National Geographic
There are nearly 3 million cruisers passing through the 7-terminal cruise port of
Barcelona each year, making it the 6th busiest in the world and no.1 in Europe
Barcelona boasts 9 UNESCO-protected monuments
Barcelona is the first and only city that received a Royal Gold Medal for architecture
in 1999
More than 10% of the city is covered in over 68 different green spaces and parks.
Parc de Collserola is the world’s largest metropolitan park and is 22 times larger than
New York City’s Central Park
PLAZA CATALUNYA
Before the 19th century and the destruction of the walls surrounding Barcelona, the
Plaça de Catalunyà was not part of the city.
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It was located just outside of the walls and linked Barcelona with small towns
nearby.
Nowadays, those towns are integrated into the city as well as the Plaça de Catalunyà.
The construction of the plaza started in 1889, for the universal exposition.
Before this date, it was only a marketplace & people lived there, it was also much
smaller than it is now
The works lasted for 30 years and the plaza was finally inaugurated in 1929
Today it has become the urban core of Barcelona. It is indeed the meeting point of 4
metro lines and of a great number of bus lines too, which come there day and night
LA RAMBLAS STREET
Often called as Spain’s Champs Elysees, Barcelona’s iconic Street is filled with locals
and tourists alike, with Kiosks, flower stalls and street artists, along with colorful
shops and historical buildings
One of the first facts to know about La Rambla is that it is not just one but 5 streets
in succession
Together they form the 1.2km long boulevard which runs from the Mirador de
Colom by the waterfront, to Plaça Catalunya, the central square of Barcelona where
the Old Town meets the more modern Eixample neighborhood
The origins of La Rambla as a street date back to the 15th century when the sewer
was diverted and covered up.
From then onwards it became an important axis for transport, public gatherings,
markets and festivities
LA BOQUERIA MARKET
The Boquería Market is one of the most emblematic places of the famous Ramblas
and one of the places you cannot miss during your visit to Barcelona
It is the oldest market in the city since in 1217
It all started when a group of merchants gathered outside the city to save goods
entry taxes and in this way little by little it was converted into what It is now but with
the difference that now you have to pay taxes
The name of 'Boqueria' comes from the meat of the goat male, the Catalan boc that
was the most demanded at that time
Today, the market has 300 stores inside where the merchants sell all kinds of meat,
fish, vegetables and exquisite sweets
In 2005 it was awarded with the award for the Best Market in the World
PASSEIG DE GRACIA
Passeig de Gracia is the most expensive street of the city of Barcelona - and also the
most expensive of Spain!
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It is nowadays famous for being one of the most important shopping avenues of the
Ciutat Comptal, but it is also one of the most beautiful avenues of the city, full of
history and architectural masterpieces
The Passeig de Gràcia Homes Used To Be Identical, later they were modified as per
the owner
Attractions on the Street include - UNESCO-listed Casa Batlló & Casa Milà
SAGRADA FAMILIA
One of Europe's most unconventional churches, this spectacular basilica is the most
famous sight in Barcelona.
The UNESCO-listed Basilica de la Sagrada Familia stands in the northern part of the
city, dominating its surroundings with its 18 spindly towers soaring high above all
other monuments.
Antoni Gaudí was commissioned in 1882-83 to design this basilica as a neo-Gothic
church
But instead of following the plans, he created a signature example of his famous
surrealistic Art Nouveau architecture.
From 1882-83 up until his death in 1926, Catalan Art Nouveau master Antoni Gaudí
devoted himself to the construction of La Sagrada Família
He had no firm ideas in mind, preferring to alter and add to the plans as work
progressed.
Although Gaudí had originally forecast between 10-15yrs, the church was never
completed.
As a result, the main work by the most important Catalan architect of modern times
remains just a shell, and nobody knows whether or when it will ever be completed
Gaudí's main goal for La Sagrada Família was to teach people about Catholicism
through architecture.
The best place to see this is right outside of the church, where you'll odes all over.
The Sagrada Familia currently has 8 towers. However, by the time it is finished, it will
have 18
Each of the 18 Towers is Significant - 12 towers represent the apostles, 4 of them
represent the evangelists, 1 is designated for the Virgin Mary, and of course the last
one, the highest one in the middle, represent Jesus Christ
The 3 main facades
o The Nativity facade, celebrates the birth of Christ, has three portals – Hope,
Mercy, and Faith
o The Passion facade is dedicated to the death of Christ and is designed to be
plain and simple
o The Glory facade, after construction, will be the tallest and principal facade of
Sagrada Familia. It offers access to the nave and will be decorated with idols,
false gods and demons
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The interior pillars resemble trees, and when you look up at them their shapes
constantly change, as real trees appear to do
The church, which is funded by private donations, is still under construction today
and is said to be completed by 2026
The two people buried in the crypt are Gaudi and Josep Maria Bocabella – the
bookseller whose idea it was to build the Sagrada Familia, having been inspired by
the churches he saw in the Vatican during his visit there in 1872
PARK GÜELL
Colorful, cheerful, and full of whimsy, this splendid surrealistic park is another
UNESCO World Heritage Site designed by Antoni Gaudí.
Antoni Gaudi & Eusebi Güell intended it to be a ‘visionary housing complex’,
unfortunately they received no interest from the investors and had to abandon the
original idea, hence they built the park
Created between 1900 and 1914, the Park Güell is beautifully landscaped and
features architectural elements in Gaudí's signature style.
Viaducts, grottoes, a colonnaded hall, winding staircases & semi-closed conversation
seats are scattered throughout the space.
These creative structures are decorated in multicolored ceramic fragments.
A spectacular terrace offers panoramic views of the city and the sea
Instead of numerous benches spread throughout, here visitors will be greeted with
one long, wavy stone bench adorned with vibrant mosaics & equipped with views of
the ocean
Gaudí himself loved this area of the city, and his home was located here.
Surrounded by a pleasant garden, the Casa Museu Gaudí occupies the house where
Gaudi lived; the collection displays works of art, mostly decorative objects and
furniture, designed by Gaudí
CAMP NOU
Just as Modernista buildings are must-see attractions for architecture fans, Camp
Nou is a must-see for football (soccer) fans.
Home of the FC Barcelona, the 99,354-seat stadium is the largest in Europe and
second largest in the world.
Attend a game here or take the lively tour and visit the museum. Camp Nou was one
of the venues for the 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona
BARCELONETA BEACH
When most people think of beaches in Barcelona, Barceloneta is probably the first
that comes to mind.
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