The Vivacious Culture of Barcelona

Monday, April 18, 2011

Amazing Artwork

Barcelona is home to a plentiful amount of museums that contain beautiful pieces from extremely famous and influential artists; many of which are of Spanish descent. The Picasso Museum contains more than 3,800 works in the permanent collection. The museum offers an insight about the man behind the brush and reveals his deep connection that he has had with Barcelona from a child up until his death. The museum also contains the entire collection of Las Meninas; one of his famous collections. La Padrera is another amazing museum and is the second most visited museum, after the building of Sagrada Familia. The building is the museum, which was constructed by Antoni Gaudi. The once apartment building is constructed with unusual shapes and figures. It also contains renaissance drawings and modern art paintings.

The city also contains the Catalan National Art Museum, which offers information about the cities past and the culture. There is also an official FC Barcelona museum, which highlights all of the great achievements and history about the amazing futbol team. Another different form of art in Barcelona that is extremely popular and fun to watch is the dance of flamenco. The dance originated in Andalucía and has become very popular all over Spain. The typical instruments used are the flamenco guitar, classical guitar, and singing. There are numerous venues in Barcelona in which you can dine, drink, and watch this fantastic dance.

Flamenco

Flamenco Dancer

Picasso

La Padrera

Las Meninas

Original Las Meninas- by Diego Velazquez

Wednesday, April 13, 2011

The Historical City With a Modern Twist

The Only Remains of Rome in Barcelona- The Arch at the Gothic Center

As legend has it, Barcelona was founded in the 3^rd century B.C. by a Roman Carthaginian named Hamiclar Barca and he named the city Barcino. There are even Roman pieces still standing in the Gothic Center, such as the oldest arch that was once used as an aqueduct. Today stands beautiful lettering, spelling Barcino to remember the founding of the vivacious city. The city was conquered by the Visigoths in the early 5^th century and then re-conquered by Arabs in the 8^th century. They ruled for hundreds of years, leaving a lasting Islamic impression throughout architecture and religion (there are countless Islamic mosques that were converted to Catholic cathedrals). In 801, Charlemagne’s son Louis re-conquered the city and left it in rule by the Count of Barcelona. In 1137, Barcelona joined forces with Aragon due to a marriage, which caused serious turmoil. The marriage of Ferdinand and Isabella in 1469 reunited the royal lines.

The Arch (which used to be an entire aqueduct

Ferdinand and Isabella

Barcelona is the capital of Catalonia and the second largest city in Spain, next to Madrid. Due to a civil war and oppression, many Catalonian institutions were abolished many years ago and the language was forbidden for a while. Today, many Barcelon-ians are proud of their Catalonian history and speak Catalan, rather than Spanish. Catalan is a mixture of the romance languages and Latin. You can make someone’s day by saying ‘Bon Dia’, instead of ‘Buenos Dias’. Although Barcelona had a long struggle to become the prosperous city it is today, the hardships and oppressions made them a proud and determined people. Now, Barcelona is one of the world’s leading tourist, economic, and cultural centers. Barcelona was the site for the 1992 Olympic Games, which brought great international success and boosted tourism. Who wouldn’t enjoy an industrialized city with extraordinary architecture and people that happens to be on the Mediterranean Sea and surrounded by the Serra de Collserola mountain ridge. All of these features add to the magic and wonderfulness this city has to offer.

The Gothic Center

Catalan Support!

Barcelona Olympics

Tuesday, April 12, 2011

Do Barcelon-ians Ever Sleep?

I have been out in New York City and Miami. I have been out in London and Paris. I have even been out in Cambodia. Absolutely nothing compares to the night life in Barcelona. As I have mentioned before, the locals take a long siesta everyday that may give them extra energy to stay out into the wee hours of the morning. But this is ludicrous! Barcelon-ians do not even leave there house until midnight (maybe later) to venture to a nightclub or festival. Almost every club stays open until 5 a.m. To be quite honest, I have personally stayed until 5 a.m. a few times and it is never dying down. Bodyguards and friends have to make these party ragers leave their happening experience. For some reason, these people know how to have a good time and still make it to work in the morning. But ah! The savior siesta. It gives you enough energy to make it to finish work when you return and to go out again the next night.

It is undeniable that people residing in Barcelona have something extra. I was lucky enough to experience it firsthand. I swear I am not just saying this; I had the extra energy to go out almost every single night and still go to class and sight see during the day. Nowadays, I barely have enough energy to go out during the weekend. After some contemplation, I believe that I went out all the time because I was too intrigued and infatuated with the people and culture of Barcelona. Everything is just too interesting, spontaneous, and memorable to turn down. Even the tapas bars (a bar that has many little appetizers and drinks) is something not to miss. I have had the best of times sharing assorted meats and cheeses, sangria, and local Barcelona company.

The Strip of Nightclubs along the beach

Tapas! Mhmmm

The Local Tapas Bar- Champaneria

The Crazy, Yet Fun Razzmatazz

Nightlife

Futbol Reigns as Number One

Imagine a Red Sox-Yankees world series and people in New York are dawning Red Sox paraphernalia after the Yanks lose in extra innings. That is how the streets of Barcelona are after they win or lose a regular futbol game. I’m not saying envision riots, but envision extremely hyper and overexcited fans. Futbol is like our magnified baseball or American football. The followers are intense. They literally eat, breath, and sleep FC Barcelona, the world renowned team. This is yet another area that proves how vivacious and energetic Barcelon-ians are. The Spanish are known for being passionate and the areas of sports are certainly not over-looked. On game day, everyone, and I mean everyone is out at the local bar watching the game in their navy blue and red number ten Messi jerseys (Everyone, including myself).

The Legend "Leo" Messi

The Stadium

One particular game is forever implemented in my memories. I was at a local bar on Las Ramblas with all of my friends in our jerseys, watching Barcelona dominate Milan. And in what seemed like an instant, Milan won the game. Hearts were shattered and many did not wish to continue with the festivities of bar hopping. We Americans didn’t see it as ‘that big of a deal’, so we went in search of a more upbeat crowd. We never found it. People were screaming in the streets, but screaming in agony. To my dismay, I was already in the States when Spain won the world cup. Nevertheless, I was sitting at my local New Jersey bar with my Messey jersey on, watching the craziness and what seemed to be a riot on television in Madrid and Barcelona. But, it was only a bunch of die-heart, spirited futbol fans.

Futbol Fans wearing the FC Barcelona Jersey

Futbol Fans!

Spain Wins World Cup 2010!

The At-Times Scrumptious Cuisine

If food could define a culture, it definitely would not give Barcelona much justice. I am being somewhat harsh and I honestly believe if I wasn’t accustomed with American cuisine, the food in Barcelona would be the best thing since sliced bread. Putting the actual food aside, the way in which Barcelon-ians actually dine is how their culture is defined and in my opinion should be celebrated. When they share a meal with friends or family, they make it an experience. Long coffee’s and lunches in adorable cafes in narrow lanes is quintessential Barcelona. Breakfast is usually what we would consider dessert (yum!) and dinners are usually very late (I have dined at midnight). But what’s the best part of their schedule? Siesta. The laid-back culture takes a break in the day, usually from around 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., to enjoy a large lunch with their loved ones and a large nap as well. And when I say a break, I mean a break. Everything closes. It is as if you are walking along deserted streets for a few hours- every day. This undoubtedly makes Barcelona the lively and diverse city that I have come to know and love. A long nap in the day also gives extra energy to these famous party animals.

Sangria!

The best and most cultural food that marks Barcelona (and Spain) would have to be paella. A little tidbit about paella: a dish of saffron-flavored rice cooked with meats, seafood, and vegetables. Originating in the rice-growing areas on Spain's Mediterranean coast, the dish is especially associated with the region of Valencia. Paella takes its name from the paellera, the utensil in which it is cooked, a flat round pan with two handles; paella is traditionally eaten from the pan. This traditional dish is also attributed to the social nature of Barcelon-ians, since they can share food, sangria, and laughter. I had the best paella on the infamous strip known as Las Ramblas. Also, the best sangria. The Spanish drink made of red wine, fruit and other unknowns is amazing, but can be dangerous if consumed in plentiful amounts. The food, drink, and dining style of Barcelona ties in the magic-ness of the city and its people.

Seafood Paella

The Candy Center at the Market on Las Ramblas

More Candy!

Paella Recipe

Architecture: The Wonderous World of Antoni Gaudi

The city of Barcelona is lively, unique, and incomparable to any place I have ever seen. It may have been since it was the second city I had seen in Europe, or it may have been the towering and cascading architecture that could not be missed. I prefer to believe the latter, as would the infamous genius, Antoni Gaudi, who has made Barcelona his working canvas, with numerous, breathtakingly beautiful pieces around the city. The people of Barcelona are also lively and unique, therefore the atmosphere they exude mixed with mosaics of masterpieces, equals one vivacious and extraordinary place to be. Of course, Gaudi is not the only credited architect in Barcelona. The gothic and Romanesque buildings, some that are still standing from when Rome conquered this area, give the city a historical feel. The history greatly compliments the modern architecture, where I found myself not being able to stop staring at buildings.

The most memorable and cultural pieces constructed by Gaudi would have to be Sagrada Familia, Parc Guell and Casa Battlo. La Sagrada Familia is the largest and most insane-looking church I have ever laid my eyes on. Honestly, words cannot describe it. His use of stain glass, nature-esque pieces, and of course religious figures, are all greatly adorned and massive. This amazing church utterly describes the eclectic style this city encompasses.Though construction of Sagrada Família had commenced in 1882, Gaudí became involved in 1883, taking over the project and transforming the project with his architectural and engineering style—combining Gothic and curvilinear, Art Noveau forms with structural columns and arches. Parc Guell is another feature unlike anything I have ever seen. Gaudi constructed it from 1900 to 1914 and it was supposed to be a housing development. Only two houses were built and when no one bought them, the place was turned into a municipal garden. Eusebu Guell was the founder who lived in one of the houses, until Gaudi bought the site and moved in, turning the park into an artisitc movement. High atop a mountain with the most spectacular views of the entire city and ocean, this is more than your ordinary park. There are millions of mosaic tiles that seem to become more decorated as you continue walking through the gorgeous park with natural flowers and landscape. If I could close my eyes and magically be anywhere when they reopened, this is where I would be. The people who get to call this magnificent piece of land their front or backyard are truly lucky. On that note, maybe that is why the people are extra magnificent themselves.