Ancient Barcelona: History, Art, Culture Day three's itinerary included an in-depth look at Spain's artistic pride and joy, Picasso, at the Picasso Museum, and a winding tour through Barri Gòtic, Barcelona's incredible (and old) Gothic Quarter. The Gothic Quarter was the heart of the Roman and medieval city in Barcelona's past lives, and still today occupies the heart of modern Barcelona. Highlights included a visit to the stunning Catedral de Barcelona - built on top of earlier churches, its modern iteration dates to 1298 (the first year of construction), as well as a trip to the Plaça del Rei, a pristine example of Barcelona's medieval past. The Gothic Quarter's narrow, winding streets, and historic architecture captured my heart immediately - architecturally speaking, the district perfectly reflects the distinct layers of Barcelona's immense history.
Our guide took us to a wonderful market and walked us past a diverse array of beautiful shops and artisans, all tucked away in and around the Gothic Quarter. Once we were set free in the early afternoon, my mom and I split off from the group to wander the streets of Barcelona some more. As my brother is training to be a professional musician, music has been a large part of our family for much of my life, so my mom and I decided to visit one of the most memorable sights of our entire trip: Barcelona's jaw-dropping Palau de la Musica, a beautiful modernist building dating from the early 1900s and designed by Lluís Domènech i Montaner. It is the only Art Nouveau concert building to be designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is a jewel of Catalan cultural heritage. Its website describes it as a "magical music box," and I couldn't agree more (see photos below). We ended our day with a pleasant group dinner, toasting our last night in beautiful Barcelona! Wherever you go becomes a part of you somehow. – Anita Desai |