THE HISTORY OF BARCELONA
by Maria_75
Romans came to this place more than 2000 years ago, and founded the city of Barcino. They chose to build the city on a sandy enclave on the northeastern Iberian coast, situated between the mouths of two rivers, Llobregat and Besós, and protected by the Collserola mountainrange.
This was a very strategic position, well communicated by land and sea, and protected by the landscape and the citywalls. Over the centuries the city grew to become the capitol of Catalunya and Spains main tradingport.
Juan miro's works : 'the woman...
by eladr
Juan miro's works : 'the woman and the bird' statue. (although i didnt notice where the woman and where the bird...) some words on juan miro. Joan Miro was probably one of the greatest artists of our time. Born in Cataluna, in Spain, on April 20, 1893, he was raised by a family who did not support his artistic endeavors, and, incidentally, forced him to become a bookkeeper. If it were not for his having a nervous breakdown, he would never have travelled to his parents' cabin in Montroig, and would never have discovered his love for the Catalunian landscape. He studied in Paris with Pablo Picasso, and also spent time living as a starving artist with Andre Masson. On October 12, 1929, he married Pilar Juncosa in Palma de Mallorca, and they settled in Paris. In 1959, he wins the 1958 International Guggenheim Award. In 1968, he recieved an honorary Doctorate by Harvard University in Cambridge, Massachussetts. on June 18, 1976, he even had a foundation began in his honor, 'Joan Miro Foundation', which is still being looked after by his followers and students in Spain. In 1979, he was awarded an Honorary Doctorate by the University of Barcelona. And, on December 25, 1983, Joan Miro perished in Palma de Mallorca.
Please , if you have the...
by zumodemango
Please , if you have the opportunity, enjoy April 23rd Sant Jordi! Saint George is the Catalunya patron. This day girls are given a rose and boys are given a book by girlfriends, wife or friends! It is pretty to enjoy a day with culture and flowers. (In the picture my 98'Sant Jordi's roses) .
Vic vs Girona
by richard3206
If you only have a limited time, and can't decide between Vic and Girona, you can easily do them both in a day. Take the Renfe (Suburban) line to Vic, then a bus (about every two hours) to Girona, and return by Renfe (Intercity) to Barcelona. The trip by bus is through rugged mountans and traditional farms, and is a highlight of the day.
btw, both Vic and Girona are major towns (cities) so if you expect traditional towns (as I did), you'll be a bit disappointed. But having said that, the old towns have very interesting buildings and are worth visiting.
Gastronomic route: El Xató
by Belsaita
The Xató is a salad. Someone can find funny that there is a region where people rave for a salad dish, to such extent that they made a gastronomic route about it. But it is not an usual salad, if made properly and with fresh ingredients it's delicious, and a fine example of true Mediterranean cuisine.
Xató has only a secret: its sauce. Made with local products as almonds, hazelnuts, garlic, a special dried red pepper (nyora), some bread to thicken, and of course prime quality olive oil. All this is mixed by hand using a mortar. Like most popular dishes, each house has its own version. Spread this delicious sauce over a mix of lettuce leaves (typically curly sweet endives, even my family likes more roman lettuce), salty and oil-preserved fishes (cod, anchovies, tuna), olives and sometimes other vegetables.
At my hometown, Vilanova i la Geltrú, xató is typically eaten at the Thursday of Carnival, with local sausages and ham, cod preserve and an assortment of omelettes (with potato, white beans, spinachs...). Yummy!
You can eat it at many towns in the areas of Garraf and Penedés, easy to reach from Barcelona (see my above tips for transportation to Vilafranca del Penedés, Sant Sadurní d'Anoia, Vilanova i la Geltrú and Sitges). Have it as main or side dish, ideally accompanying other of the excellent products of the area: fresh fish, sausages, etc. And, of course, some local wine to drink. Ideally, a dry white Penedes or brut Cava. Cheers!
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me in the restaurant
It appears that the synagogue was more ancient
Sagrada Familia detail
Joan Miró's sculpture
