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| When I go, I want my feet resting on my favourite dog too! |
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| Columbus Monument |
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| Crustaceans everywhere |
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| Salami anyone? |
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| And more graffiti |
Our plan now was for a more in depth investigation of an area chosen by the Carthaginians (Hannibal’s father, Hamilcar
Barca) in 230 BC to settle. This historical event is apparently disputed – well, actually considered more of a myth (see Wiki)! Another favourite myth is that our boy about town, Hercules, also founded the city, literally naming it after the ninth boat in his fleet. He was in grand company too, sailing with Jason & the Argonauts. Romans eventually followed,
naming the town Barcino. At least we were able to see obvious remains of their settlement.
Turning off Carrer de Ferran, (sadly not noticing Palau Guell, Gaudi’s first commission by his wealthy arts patron) into Placa de Sant Jaume, we looked for remains of the old Roman forum. Now, it’s a square busy with visitors admiring Barcelona’s 14th c Town Hall. Opposite is the Palau de la Generalita, another magnificent palace. Adorned with a sculpture of St George, Catalonia’s Patron Saint, this has been the city’s seat of government since 1403.
Visible down
narrow side streets, the Cathedral beckoned. However it was closed briefly for a period of “visitor
respite” - much to the annoyance of tour guides who quickly rescheduled
walking group itineraries. While we waited, we
explored the entrance of the very pretty Casa de l’Ardiaca. Built on the back of an old Roman wall opposite the Cathedral, this
building was once the archdeacon’s residence although now it serves to hold the city’s historical
archives.
The
Cathedral, built in 1298 over the remains of a Roman temple and Moorish mosque,
is Catalan style Gothic. Considered compact, it still makes quite an impact on
visitors with slender columns, a single nave, lots of side chapels devoted
to various saints and stunning arches reaching for the stars.
In 1493, when Columbus arrived in Barcelona from the New World, he was given a state welcome by Fernando & Isabel at the nearby Royal Palace (now the Barcelona History Museum). Six Caribbean Indians who returned with him were baptised in the Cathedral (having converted to Christianity, as one would in that situation!). A plaque near the font records this event. Despite a large crowd inside, few took advantage of the lift to the roof. We found a great city panorama, a very interesting roofline and a close-up view of the octagonal bell towers. Honking geese in the cloister were pretty interesting too, although we did wonder about it!
A
quick inspection of market stalls (brimming with “antiques”) set up in front
of the Cathedral followed by a quick dash into the Museum bookshop for a more concise guide
on Gaudi’s architectural delights, left us with insufficient time to
explore the History Museum itself. With its extensive Roman ruins (subterranean, so it
could have been rather good fun!) and Royal Palace rooms where Columbus was
received in 1493 & later the Inquisition convened, it was just so hard to walk away - should have booked a longer stay! But, move on we must...
Turning off Carrer de Ferran, (sadly not noticing Palau Guell, Gaudi’s first commission by his wealthy arts patron) into Placa de Sant Jaume, we looked for remains of the old Roman forum. Now, it’s a square busy with visitors admiring Barcelona’s 14th c Town Hall. Opposite is the Palau de la Generalita, another magnificent palace. Adorned with a sculpture of St George, Catalonia’s Patron Saint, this has been the city’s seat of government since 1403.
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| The Cathedral draws crowds |
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| Up on the Cathedral roof |
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| Inside the Cathedral |
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| A Caribbean Saint (Montserrat, I think) |
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| Doesn't everyone need a Guard Goose or seven? In the Cathedral courtyard keeping honest people honest... |
In 1493, when Columbus arrived in Barcelona from the New World, he was given a state welcome by Fernando & Isabel at the nearby Royal Palace (now the Barcelona History Museum). Six Caribbean Indians who returned with him were baptised in the Cathedral (having converted to Christianity, as one would in that situation!). A plaque near the font records this event. Despite a large crowd inside, few took advantage of the lift to the roof. We found a great city panorama, a very interesting roofline and a close-up view of the octagonal bell towers. Honking geese in the cloister were pretty interesting too, although we did wonder about it!
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| Vegan cats would go down well at home too! |
So, we followed our
noses back through the old streets finding interesting people, shops, food and
architectural features until we arrived back somehow at the Mercat del Born,
another site brimming with Roman remains and strangely enough, the area of an
old Roman market. It was time then to
pack up and say our reluctant farewells to this delightful city. With bags crammed full (and now rather heavy!),
we headed for the Aerobus to begin the long road home.
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| Some of the delightful artwork inside the Cathedral |
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| Roman walls & Palace buildings beside the Cathedral |
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