My Barcelona - Part II

Here is some more from my trip to Barcelona ...

Tibidabo mountain top and the buildings on it are visible from almost every part of the city. There you could see a beautiful white church - Temple de Sagrat Cor, the amusement park and Torre de Collserola (the telecommunications tower). 

The mixture of a church and amusement park may seems quite peculiar, but somehow the Catalans made it work. I think that a day spent there is really worth it!

Tibidabo could be reached by bus, bicycle or car. But the best way, if you ask me, is by the historic blue tram (Tramvia Blau) and them with the funicular railway (Funicular del Tibidabo).

Expiatory Church of the Sacred Heart of Jesus (Sagrat Cor): 

I find the interior rarely beautiful.

 The views from Tibidabo are amazing ...

You could even see Montserrat mountain and the monastery in the distance:

The amusement park is the oldest in Barcelona and still has most of the original rides.

The park was featured in the Woodie Allen film, Vicky Cristina Barcelona :)

On the way back to Barcelona we chose to skip the charming blue tram. And we chose well :) The neighborhood is amazing and there are some of the most beautiful houses I've ever seen.

Relax with a cup of coffee ...

Back in the heart of the city - Plaça d'Espanya: 

The Venetian Towers, next to the square are modeled on the bell tower of St. Mark's Basilica in Venice. Originally one could climb up to their tops and admire the city from above. Unfortunately today they are closed to the public.

From the two towers begins the avenue, leading to the Palau Nacional.

The building is constructed for the 1929 International Exhibition in Barcelona. Since 1934 is has been home to the National Art Museum of Catalonia.

A walk at sundown on Montjuic hill ...

There is plenty to see and do in the area. One of the interesting sights is the open-air museum Poble Espanyol (The Spanish Village). It was build for the 1929 Barcelona International Exposition and the plan was to throw it down after its end. However, luckily for us, it was preserved due to the great success it achieved. 

  

  

And after wining and dining in Poble Espanyol, it is time for the Magic Fountain of Montjuic. There are no words or pictures, that could describe it. You just have to see it for yourself ...

If you find that interesting, you might also want to check My Barcelona - Part I.