Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
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Parc Güell
Gràcia
Until the end of the 19th century,
Gràcia was a fiercly proud indepen-
dent city. Despite locals' protests, it
became part of Barcelona proper in
1898, but has always maintained a
sense of separatism and has been
a hotbed of political activity. It is
now home to a booming cottage
industry nurtured by a growing
band of artisans. Don't miss the
barrio's annual fiesta
(see p65)
in
the second week of August.
Declared a UNESCO World
Heritage Site in 1984, this heady
brew of architectural wizardry in-
cludes
trencadís
tiling, a serpen-
tine bench, fairy-tale pavilions,
Gothic archways, and the colum-
ned Sala Hipóstila (originally in-
tended as a market hall). In true
Gaudí style, playfulness and sym-
bolism pervade every aspect of
the park. The Casa-Museu Gaudí,
where Gaudí lived for 20 years, is
dedicated to the architect's life.
d
C/d'Olot • Map B2 • Open 10am-dusk
daily • Free
d
Casa-Museu Gaudí • Map
B2 • Open
Oct-Mar: 10am-5:45pm;
Apr-Sep: 10am-7:45pm • Adm €5.50
%
Palau Reial de Pedralbes
The former main residence of
Count Eusebi Güell was donated
to the Spanish royal family in
1919. Open to the public since
1937, this majestic palace houses
the Museu de Ceràmica, the
Museu de Textil and the Museu
de les Arts Decoratives. The
former has a fine collection of
Catalan and Moorish ceramics;
the Museu de les Arts
Decoratives has period furniture,
plus a number of artifacts dating
from the Middle Ages onwards,
and the Museu de Textil focuses
on fashion and costume. The
magnificent gardens
include a fountain
designed by
Gaudí.
d
Av
Diagonal 686
• Map A2
Museu de Ceràmica, Palau Reial
&
Temple Expiatori del
Sagrat Cor
Visible from almost anywhere in
Barcelona, the Temple of the Sa-
cred Heart was built by Enric Sag-
nier between 1902 and 1911. It
has a dramatic sculpture of Jesus
and an elaborately decorated door
that verges on the psychedelic.
Take the elevator up the main
tower, or climb the steps to the
outside terrace for breathtaking
views.
d
Pl del Tibidabo • Map B1
• Open 10am-8pm daily (Elevator open
10:30am-2pm & 3-7pm daily) • Adm
• Museums
open 10am-6pm
Tue-Sat, 10am-
3pm Sun • Adm
(free 1st Sun of
the month)
• DA
*
Parc de Collserola
Beyond the peaks of Tibidabo
mountain, this 6,500-ha (16,000-
acre) natural park of wild forest
View, Temple Expiatori del Sagrat Cor
11 2
