Spain 2023 – Barcelona III

….. and more….>


Public Bikes, La Rambla, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain

Laneway, Carrer de la Petxina, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain

Colonnades, Mercado de La Boqueria, Plaça de Sant Josep, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain

La Jamoneria, Mercado de La Boqueria, La Rambla, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain

La Jamoneria = The Ham Shop
De La Dehesa a su Mesa = From the Meadow to Your Table

Sweet Shop, Mercado de La Boqueria, La Rambla, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain

Seafood Stall, Mercado de La Boqueria, La Rambla, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain

Mercado de La Boqueria (markets) is a landmark of Barcelona

Sculptures, Església de la Mare de Déu de Betlem, Carrer del Carme, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain

Church Interior, Església de la Mare de Déu de Betlem, Carrer del Carme, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain

In 1553, the Company of Jesus, founded by Saint Ignatius of Loyola, obtained permission from the city’s councillors to build the first church of the order in Barcelona, on the site of a former chapel dedicated to Our Lady of Bethlehem. It was consecrated in 1555 but was destroyed by a great fire in the 17th century. A new baroque-style church was built in the early 18th century but was closed to worshippers following the expulsion of the Jesuits from Spain in 1767. The parish church of Mare de Déu de Betlem was founded in 1835 but, unfortunately, suffered a second fire in 1936 during the Spanish Civil War. The roof and sumptuous baroque interior were consumed by the flames.

The baroque façade and side walls survive today as living witnesses to the past. The main façade, on Carrer del Carme, has a curved pediment and is framed by Solomonic columns. They are embellished by beautiful sculptures of Saint Ignatius of Loyola and the nobleman and Jesuit saint, Francisco Borja. Above the door is a bas-relief featuring a Nativity scene. Every Christmas, the church of Betlem holds a major exhibition of Nativity scenes which are a popular attraction. The interior of the church consists of a basilica-type single nave and a semi-circular apse, side chapels with a narthex or vestibule below the choir stalls, covered by a cylindrical canopy. The side chapels are interconnected and have elliptical domes with lanterns.

Street Lamp, La Rambla, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain

La “Porta Ferriça”, Carrera de la Portaferrissa, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain

Inscription:

The “Porta Ferriça”, built in the 13th century, was one of the gates of the second wall of Barcelona. An iron bar was set into this gate and used as a unit of measurement in the city. This iron bar gave the gate and the street that led to the gate from the center of the Old City their name. The Casa Gralla, a beautiful Plateresque building, was built on Puertaferrisa Street at the beginning of the 16th century, although it disappeared due to the opening of the Calle del Duc de Victoria. The Casa Pinós of the Marquis de Barbará was likewise constructed here, but it was also demolished in the mid-19th century. The construction of the Moya Palace (today Comillas) in 1774, led to the demolition of the old gate.

Doorway, Carrer de la Portaferrissa, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain

“Scala Dei”, Carrer de la Portaferrissa, Barcelonia, Catalonia, Spain

Translation:

King Alfonso de Aragon sent two knights throughout Catalonia looking for a suitable place to found a monastery. Under the Sierra del Montsant they found a shepherd. He told them that in that place, the dream of Jacob had been reproduced, that is, there would be a ladder there that climbed to the sky, with angels coming and going. The knights considered it the right place to build a monastery, calling it naturally “Scala Dei” (i.e., God’s Ladder).

Street Lamp, Carrer de la Portaferrissa, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain

Baixada de Santa Eulàlia, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain

Mosaics, Art Escudellers Gift Shop, Carrer dels Banys Nous, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain

Laneway, Carrer de la Trinitat, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain

Col·legi Sagrada Família – Avinyó, Carrer d’Avinyó, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain

Escuela de Artes Aplicadas y Oficios Artísticos, Cnr Carrer de Cervantes & Carrer d’Avinyó, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain

Escuela de Artes Aplicadas y Oficios Artísticos = School of Applied Arts & Artistic Trades

Carrer de Cervantes, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain

Sculpture, Plaça de George Orwell, Carrer de n’Arai, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain

Carrer Nou de Sant Francesc, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain

Teatre Principal, La Rambla, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain

The Teatre Principal (in Catalan, or in Spanish Teatro Principal) is the oldest theatre in Barcelona, founded in 1579, built between 1597 and 1603 and rebuilt several times, mainly in 1788 and again in 1848. The theatre was originally named the Teatro de la Santa Cruz in Spanish (or Teatre de la Santa Creu in Catalan). It is located on the famous avenue of La Rambla.

Ticket Booth, La Rambla, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain

Ship’s Anchor, Comandància Naval de Barcelona, La Rambla, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain

Junta d’Obres del Port, Carrer de Circumval·lació Tram Dos, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain

Port Authority

Cable Cars, Torre Jaume I, Port of Barcelona, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain


 

Spain 2023 – Barcelona II

 

Continuing the time in Barcelona…>

 

Columbus Monument, Plaça Portal de la Pau, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
It was constructed for the Exposición Universal de Barcelona (1888) in honor of Columbus’ first voyage to the Americas. The monument serves as a reminder that Christopher Columbus reported to Queen Isabella I and King Ferdinand V in Barcelona after his first trip to the new continent.

 

Plaque, Columbus Monument, Plaça Portal de la Pau, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain

 

Old Port Building, Plaça Portal de la Pau, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain

Scenes from the Viewing Platform, Columbus Monument, Plaça Portal de la Pau, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain

The Rius and Taulet Monument, Passeig de Pujades, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
It is dedicated to the lawyer and politician. Francisco de Paula Rius y Taulet, mayor of Barcelona and main driver of the Universal Exposition of 1888.

 

Barcelona Arc de Triomf, Avinguda de Vilanova, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
In 1888 Barcelona hosted the Universal Exhibition. The Arc de Triomf was built as the gateway to the fair which was held in the Parc de la Ciutadella. The monument is classical in shape and proportions and features ground-breaking sculptural and decorative finishes replete with symbolism. It has become one of the city’s iconic landmarks.

Basilica de la Sagrada Familia, Carrer de Sardenya, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
La Sagrada Familia is a building that Antoni Gaudí masterfully designed and, despite not being finished, UNESCO made it a World Heritage Site in 1984 because of its unique architecture and how Gaudí created something so artistic and innovative.
It was begun in 1882 and still unfinished in the first quarter of the 21st century. Construction was hampered by the death of Antoni Gaudi (1852 – 1926). It was then delayed in 1936 during the Spanish Civil War.

Drinking Fountain, Plaça la Sagrada Familia, Carrer de Sardenya, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
Opposite the Basilica.

 

Antoni Gaudi House Museum & Grounds, Park Güell, Carretera del Carmel,Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
The Gaudí House Museum, located within the Park Güell in Barcelona, is a historic home museum that houses a collection of furniture and objects designed by the Spanish architect Antoni Gaudí. It was the residence of Antoni Gaudí for almost 20 years, from 1906 till the end of 1925.

 

40 & 38 Avinguda del Santuari de St. Josep de la Muntanya, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain

Window Grille, Avinguda del Santuari de Sant Josep de la Muntanya, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain

Gate Mural, Avinguda del Santuari de Sant Josep de la Muntanya, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain

Kasa de La Muntanya, Avinguda del Santuari de Sant Josep de la Muntanya, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
Kasa de la Muntanya is a squatted former Guardia Civil barracks in Barcelona. It was built in 1909, by Eusebi Güell, abandoned by the police in 1983, and occupied in 1989. It became central to the squatter movement in Barcelona as a self-managed social centre.

Church Gateway, Sant Josep de la Muntanya, Avinguda del Santuari de Sant Josep de la Muntanya, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain


 

Spain 2023 – Barcelona

Finally able to travel again so here’s the first contribution of many to come. Departing from Perth, Western Australia on the Qantas direct to Heathrow flight and a connecting flight to Barcelona. Two weeks in Spain and then on to four weeks in the UK.

 


Terminal 5, Heathrow Airport, Longford, London, England UK

 


Snowcaps over France, BA 0474 to Barcelona, Spain

 


Villanove de Sau Village, Catalonia, Spain

 


Preparing to Land, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain

Carrer Nou de la Rambla, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain

 


Doors, 66 La Rambla, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain

 


Colonnade, Carrer de Colom, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain

 


Font de les Tres Gràcies, Plaça Reial, Carrer de Colom, La Rambla, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
Font de les Tres Gràcies = Source of the Three Graces

 


La Rambla at Night, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain

 


Motor Cycle Police Officer, La Rambla, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain

 


“My Fucking Restaurant”, Carrer Nou de la Rambla, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain

 


Ornate Gate, 48 La Rambla, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain

 


Street Lamp, Plaça Reial, Carrer de Colom, La Rambla, Barcelona, Spain

 


Plaque, Hotel Les Quatre Nacions, 40 La Rambla, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain

 


Statue of Frederic Soler, La Rambla, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
Better known by his pen name Serafí Pitarra, Frederic Soler was a Catalan playwright who wrote over a hundred plays as well as several books of poetry. The white marble monument which was erected in his memory stands directly opposite Barcelona’s oldest theatre, Teatre Principal.

 


Street Lamps, La Rambla, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain

 


“American Soda”, Carrer de Sant Pau, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain

 


“Be Safe and Always Use the Crosswalk”, La Rambla, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain

 


Carved Stone Pillar, Hotel Ramblas, La Rambla, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain

 


Commemoration Plaque, Monument a Colom, Plaça del Portal de la Pau, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain

 

Columbus Monument, Plaça Portal de la Pau, Plaça del Portal de la Pau, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
It was constructed for the Exposición Universal de Barcelona (1888) in honor of Columbus’ first voyage to the Americas. The monument serves as a reminder that Christopher Columbus reported to Queen Isabella I and King Ferdinand V in Barcelona after his first trip to the new continent.

 


Lion Statue, Plaça del Portal de la Pau, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
One of 8 Guarding the Columbus Memorial

 


Delegacion de Defensa, Plaça del Portal de la Pau, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
Delegacion de Defensa = Department of Defence

 


I 🍃 Cannabis, La Rambla, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain

 


Wallace Fountain, La Rambla, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
Major changes to Barcelona’s water supply in the second half of the 19th century brought a huge rise in the number of drinking fountains. Against this backdrop, fountains in the style of Paris’s emblematic Wallace fountains became part of the city’s heritage.

 


Pee in the Right Place“, La Rambla, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain

 


The Old Irish Pub, La Rambla, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
No matter where you go, there’s an Irish Pub!

 


City Panorama, Castell de Montjuïc, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain