We did the on/off bus and utilized some of its stops.
The Arc de Triomf rises up majestically at the top of the Passeig Lluís Companys. The gateway to the 1888 Universal Exhibition, the arch stood at the end of the Saló de Sant Joan, the boulevard that led to the exhibition grounds in the Parc de la Ciutadella. The architect Josep Vilaseca designed a monument of classical style and proportions as an allegory of Barcelona's respect for the nations and provinces taking part in the exhibition. As a counterpoint, Vilaseca chose to build the arch from brick and decorate it with sculptural motifs evocative of the neo-Mudejar style that was very much in vogue in Spain at the time. The combination of red brick with the series of friezes around the arch, make it a singularly beautiful landmark.
I didn’t come to Barcelona to sightsee; my goal was to live, but I did want to revisit the Miro Foundation – I have enjoyed him as an artist for many years. I got this accomplished.
Joan Miró i Ferrà (1893 – 1983) was a Catalan, Spanish painter, sculptor, and ceramicist born in Barcelona. Joan, the city’s best-known 20th-century artistic progeny, bequeathed this art foundation to his hometown in 1971. Its light-filled buildings, designed by close friend and architect Josep Lluís Sert (who also built Miró’s Mallorca studios), are crammed with seminal works, from Miró’s earliest timid sketches to paintings from his last years.
Photographs were not allowed except in the outside sculpture area.
This is a wall hanging in the gift shop – perhaps you recognize his work.
Wendy/Dana -- I thought of Ginger the entire time I was viewing his work.
We got off at the Port Vell stop and had lunch at the Maritim Restaurant. This is “prawns” with noodles. I didn’t eat any of the three critters. They are not prawns, they are bottom feeding crayfish or mudbugs. This, along with tomatoed bread, was 25€ -- not worth the money. I was grateful to Claudia who gave me one of her scallops, which was very good.
We ate outside on a veranda and this was the view from our table.
Mapfre is a Spanish insurance company – I took the picture for the shadow of the palm tree.
One of the many fountains in the city.
We got off at the Barri Gotic bus stop (Gothic Quarter) to take a hit on the Starbucks and had a little action. There was a peaceful demonstration going on; it seems there was a scheduled factory closing and the workers were protesting losing their jobs. It held up the bus for about 45 minutes – no traffic was allowed through the demonstrators. Lots of police in attendance, but no escalation. The bus finally got turned around and we got back to the Catalunya area. Claudia went shopping and I headed back to the apartment.
Another great day and I am starting to get anxious – this is my last week here in Barcelona.