Casa Calvet
by Klod5
Casa Calvet (Calvet House), located at No. 48 Carrer de Casp in Barcelona, was erected between 1898 and 1900 for the Calvets, a family of textile industrialists. It was built with offices on the ground floor, though the space now hosts a restaurant. Gaudi's most conventional work, it received the Barcelona City Council Award in 1900. The edifice is the first built by Gaudi along the strictly codified lines of houses in the Eixample district. The stone facade with its bay windows and sculptural decoration as well as the vestibule, stairway, and elevator reflect baroque influences. The remainder shows a much more personal and functional solution in which the bay-windows form a visual continuity. The roof is topped with two pediments, each supporting a wrought iron cross, and are surrounded by various pieces of stone ornamentation as well as statues of St.-Gines and St.-Peter, patron saints of the Calvet home town of Vilasar de Mar. Casa Calvet features several smaller instances of fine workmanship. The furniture for the offices and the first floor was designed by Gaudi himself and is considered particularly noteworthy. Wrought iron is cleverly employed, especially in the form a door knocker where one raises a Greek cross to crush an insect. The building's interior boasts an incredible amount of detail and color as well.
Catalan
by IIGUANA
Although Spanish is spoken all over Spain, Catalan is the official language -next to Spanish- in Catalunya, where Barcelona is the capital. So you'll find everything in Catalan, such as the name of the streets, some menu in some restaurants, and even TV channels!
But don't worry. The people are well aware that this is a touristic place, and they will speak to you in Spanish if you need to. Well, that is if you speak Spanish....
Winter
by emilybcn
Do
-bring a warm jacket, like a peacoat, something wool etc.
-bring black comfortable boots.
-bring an umbrella.
Don't
-Assume Spain is warm in the winter, warmer than Northern Europe maybe but not beach weather by any means.
-wear sandals.
-wear your university sweater(if you want to fit in) if not wear it who cares!
Altair
by jorgejuansanchez
Travel literature, guides and maps.
This is a temple for the travellers, the kilometre cero. A unique library dedicated entirely to the travels with a great collection of maps.
It is even greater then the mythical (and first founded in Europe) Ulysses library in Paris (so named because before there was a library devoted to James Joyce).
There is a announcements tableau where people sell tickets or request company to share expenses to cross the Sahara dessert in a land rover, or look for a companion to make an around the world journey.
They also sell folkloric music from the five continents.
Even if you do not have any intention to buy any book, it is worth to have a look at it if you are a traveller in transit to Barcelona. The travel atmosphere is contagious. They sell books not only in Spanish, but also in French, English and many other European languages.
They have a filial in Madrid.
Gran Via 616, Barcelona, near Plaza Cataluna
Ski-ing outfit
by martin_nl about Pull and Bear
Pull and Bear is a world wide chain with a street culture concept. They sell different types of clothing ranging from ski and other sport outfits, to more casual clothing. I might sound funny, but I bought a beautiful ski outfit in Pull and Bear. The quality is really good and attention is paid to a lot of details. I paid much less than I had expected to pay for a ski suit. The pants I bought were 40 EUR and the jacket 80 EUR. So 120 EUR in total!!
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At Las Ramblas.
Palms
Fruits and Veggies at the Boqueria Market
Mercat Sant Josep
