The Sagrada Familia of Barcelona is the most emblematic architectural icon of the city. It fascinates only from outside, and it is worth visiting inside. Currently, you can visit some areas that are open, although others are still under construction. With the price of the entrance, you will help to pay for works of this construction, that it’s planned to be completed in 2026.

Today we take a walk through the history of the Sagrada Familia and its creator, Antoni Gaudí, and will discover some of its main characteristics. To enjoy it, we invite you to visit it in person. The Sagrada Familia of Barcelona will leave you speechless.

The origins of the Sagrada Familia in Barcelona

We will start by understanding a little more about the history of this temple. Its origins date back to 1866 when Josep Maria Bocabella i Verdaguer founded the Spiritual Association of Devotees of San José.

This association was the one that promoted, from 1874, the construction of an expiatory temple that was dedicated to the Sagrada Familia. In 1881 he bought a plot of almost 13,000 square meters to raise it. The first stone was placed on March 19, 1882.

The imprint of Gaudí in Barcelona

After some encounters with the promoters, the first architect of this temple, Francisco de Paula del Villar y Lozano, left its direction. In 1883 Gaudí took charge, and the genius completed the construction of the crypt in 1889. Then, the works of the apse would begin.

All these works were carried out through donations. After receiving an important one, Gaudí decided to make a new and more significant work. Gaudí ignores the old neo-Gothic project and proposes a more innovative one in the construction, structures, and forms.

This new project would be a large church with a plant in the shape of a Latin cross, with five naves with three transects and three facades. Each of them symbolizes three moments of Jesus Christ life: his birth ( Marina Street), his passion, death and resurrection (Sardenya street), and his glory (Mallorca street).

Gaudí’s purpose was to construct a building that dropped a mark on Barcelona’s landscape. And, without a doubt, he succeeded: the Sagrada Familia is 172.5 meters high and is one of the tallest religious buildings in the world. And an icon on the city skyline.

The works of the Sagrada Familia

In 1892 Gaudí begins with the foundations for the facade of the Birth; in 1894 the facade of the apse ends and in 1899 the Portal de Rosario. In 1909 he built the Provisional Schools of the Sagrada Familia, which were intended for the children of those who worked in the construction and the children of the neighborhood.

From 1914 the work of Gaudí focuses exclusively on this temple. In 1923 he designed the definitive solution of the naves and roofs, and in 1925 the construction of the first bell tower of the Nativity facade was completed, the only one that Gaudí could see built in life, since he died hit by a tram on June 10, in 1926. His remains are buried in the Carmen chapel of the Sagrada Familia crypt.

Then, the direction of the work passed to one of its closest collaborators, Domènec Sugrañes, in charge of it until 1938.

In 1936 there was a fire in the crypt. The revolutionaries burned the Provisional Schools of the Sagrada Familia and destroyed the workshop.

This fact supposes the loss of original drawings, plans and photographs, and also the destruction of a part of the models. However, the works did not stop, and the original idea of Gaudí was continued.

Everything went its course after the Civil War. Francesc de Paula Quintana i Vidal was the architect involved in the restoration of the burned crypt and damaged models, which served as a model to continue the work, whose direction passed through different hands.

Today, the 70% of the works in the basilica have been executed, and the efforts are currently focused on the construction of the six central towers. During 2018 it is also expected that the Passion façade will be completed and work will continue on the interior air conditioning and paving of the central nave.

Tickets to visit the Sagrada Familia in Barcelona

To know the whole history of the Sagrada Familia and enjoy the beauty of its architecture, you have several types of tickets.

For example, you can access the temple and visit the towers (with audio guide) for a price of 29 euros. Gaudí projected 18 towers, and, currently, there are eight built (four on the facade of the Passion and four on the Nativity).

You have another modality that also includes the entrance to the Gaudí House Museum, although the cheapest option to access the interior of the Sagrada Familia costs 15 euros.

Children up to 10 years old can enter for free, and there are discounts for students, retirees and under the 30s. There are also special tickets for groups.

The Sagrada Familia of Barcelona opens:

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The History of Montjuïc Castle

The Montjuïc Castle, or Castell de Montjuïc in Catalan, is living history of the city of Barcelona. This old military fortress located on the top of the Montjuïc mountain has been the protagonist of several episodes in the history of the Catalan capital. It is one of the most bittersweet monuments of the city since it has played a fundamental role both in the development of the city and in the repression of its inhabitants, according to each historical period.

Today we are going to tell you a little more about this interesting and magnificent castle from Barcelona and why you should not miss it during your next visit to the city.

The origin of Montjuïc Castle

The privileged location of the Montjuïc mountain there’s been a military watchtower since the city’s origins. The first fortress was built in 1640, during the revolt against Felipe IV. It was a structure of 4 towers that allowed the sighting of the enemy approaching both by land and by sea.

The fortress was demolished and rebuilt in the form of a castle in 1751 by the military engineer Juan Martín Cermeño. The castle has undergone various reforms and extensions depending on the army or ruler who had it in possession. The last reforms were made between 1779 and 1799 and left the castle as we know it today.

The castle has had various uses throughout its history. Since the origin of the city, this position has served as a military enclave for the different armies that have attacked or defended the city. Its elevated position allowed the invading armies to bombard the city from above, either to try to dominate the city or quell different revolts. In other historical periods, it has been used as a center for detention, trial and execution.

The Castle of Montjuïc during the 20th Century

The Montjuïc Castle played an important role in the Spanish Civil War. The castle was the place where detainees were imprisoned in the Barcelona Tragic Week. After the uprising, the city of Barcelona was an important enclave of the republican government. During this time, the castle was converted by the Frente Popular into a prison and place of execution for all types of prisoners. After the victory of the national side, roles changed and the castle became a prison and place of execution for prisoners of the Republican side.

Throughout the time, many important figures in the history of Spain have been executed within its walls. Manuel Goded, along with the commander of Infantry José López-Amor Jiménez and the captains Enrique López Belda and Luis López, responsible for the military uprising in Barcelona, were shot at the Montjuic Castle. One of the best known was the president of the Generalitat, Lluís Companys.

In 1960, the Ministry of Defense partially ceded the Castle to the city of Barcelona. Since 2007 there is a collaboration agreement between the City Council, the Generalitat, the Ministry of Defense and the Amics del Castell de MontjuÏc Association, which are responsible for managing the castle. It is foreseen that in the future it will serve as the site of a Peace Center, a museum that explains its history by advocating not to repeat the mistakes of the past. At present, the Castle offers guided tours, permanent and temporary exhibitions, as well as workshops and other cultural activities.

The Montjuïc Castle today

How to get to the Castle?

You can access the castle by car, by public or private bus, on foot or by bike. If you go in your own vehicle you should know that there is a large parking lot next to the Castle which you can access through Carrer Dels Tarongers. The parking price ranges from € 1.90 to € 3 per hour and is also open to private buses. If you decide to use public transport, bus 150 goes from Plaza de España to the top of the Castle in about 20 minutes.

However, the most attractive and tourist option to reach the castle is the cable-funicular combination. For this, we must take the Montjuïc Funicular, located at Paral.lel metro stop, on line L3 (green). The funicular will take us to the Montjuïc Park Station, where we can get into the cable car, which will take us to the top while enjoying spectacular views. If you decide to walk to the top of the station, keep in mind that there are slopes with a high drop in certain sections of the route. But on the other hand, if yo are walking you can enjoy Joan Brossa Gardens or Mossèn Cinto Verdaguer Gardens.

When to visit the Castle?

The Castle of Montjuïc has two different schedules depending on the season. From November 1 to February 28 it opens until 6 PM, while from March to October it opens until 8 PM. January 1 and December 25 will remain closed. February 18, May 18 and September 24 are open days, so access is free for everyone.

How much it cost?

Accessing to this historic fortress costs 5 euros, while the reduced entrance is only 3 euros and can benefit from it people between 16-29 years, over 65, unemployed, people with a library card, beneficiaries of the Tarjeta Rosa, large families, single-parent families and groups of more than 10 people.

The first Sundays of each month are free throughout the day, while the rest of Sundays of the year, you can enter for free after 3:00 p.m. It must be remembered that the entrance includes visiting the Montjuïc Castle with temporary and permanent exhibitions.

A truly complete historical visit

The Castle of Montjuïc is a tourist visit that is worth it. Not only you can see its exhibitions or its architecture and review its history, but also you can visit its courtyard, the terrace or the ravelin. The walls, the moat or the canyons are other elements of the castle that you can admire and touch in person. You can also enjoy time contemplating the fantastic views from the top and you will understand even better the importance of the of the castle’s location. A 360º panoramic view of the city of Barcelona. It’s magical.

In the Moat of Santa Eulalia, one of the castle’s moats, the Municipal Archery Field has been implemented, a municipal sports equipment with restricted use for this sports lovers.

During the summer months, screenings are organized in the same castle’s moat. The event is known as “Cinema a la fresca”, open-air cinema. Therefore, if you are in the city these days and want to know the castle, enjoy a live concert and a good movie, come to Montjuïc!

Featured image: Entrace and moat of the Castle, Barcelona

Der Beitrag Montjuïc Castle in Barcelona: everything you need to know erschien zuerst auf Barcelona Segway Tours.

Barcelona’s most important beaches, attractions of the city

Barcelona currently has nine beaches: Sant Sebastià, Sant Miquel, Barceloneta, Somorrostro, Nova Icaria, Marbella, Nova Marbella and Llevant. Each of them has its own history and also it’s own personality at present.

The first four are the most popular among tourists for being closer to the city centre and for having all kind of services next to them.

San Sebastià Beach and Mar Bella are beaches where nude bathing is permitted; Nova Icaria gives place to plenty of sports activities especially VolleyBall, as also Sailing sports since it is next to the Barcelona’s Municipal Sailing Centre (Centro Municipal de Vela de Barcelona).

The Somorrostro was the name of the former neighborhood behind, now it has many restaurants on the beach coast and some of the best and most vibrant nightclubs however this beach has a very different past and deserves our attention.

Somorrostro began to rise above the sand of the beach as a shanty town in the last third of the nineteenth century with a poor immigrant population that had no home or means.

There used to live over 15.000 people who were living in precarious conditions in more than 2.400 huts. It was a big “gypsies” colony being living there.

The famous flamenco dancer Carmen Amaya was born there, and “Los Tarantos”, a well-known movie about flamenco, bringing impressions of the life of Amaya, was filmed there in 1963.

The neighborhood disappeared in the year 1966, just when Franco had to attend a few naval maneuvers and as a consequence over 600 huts were destroyed. In continuation, people were moved to a Social Housing project.

In 2011 Barcelona’s Town Hall recovered the Somorrostro denomination to designate the beach stretch where the old quarter was located, between the Hospital del Mar and Port Olimpic (Olympic Harbor).

Have a look and find out more about Barcelona’s most important beaches and seafront transformation.

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