martes, 15 de abril de 2008
Barcelona Ciutadella Parc
Parc de la Ciutadella
The Parc de la Ciutadella is Barcelona's most central park. The park includes a zoo, a lake, a large fountain and several museums. The Catalan Parliament is seated at a building in the center of the park.
The Citadel
In 1714, after a 13 month long siege, Barcelona fell to the army of Philips V during the war of the Spanish Succession. In order to keep firm control over Barcelona, King Philips V built the largest fortress in Europe, a star-shaped citadel or 'Ciutadella'. A large part of the the Ribera district was demolished for this fortress. Only 30 years later was the neighborhood rebuilt at another location as the 'Barceloneta'.
Ciutadella Demolishment
The much-hated symbol of central government was demolished between 1869 and 1878 after the Catalan general Prim handed over the citadel to the city. Only three buildings survived: the chapel, the Governor's palace and the arsenal, now home to the Catalan Parliament.
A New Park
Already in 1872 works to convert the area into a central city park had started, but it progressed slowly. In 1885 the park was designated as the site of the 1888 Universal Exhibition, giving a boost to the development of the park. Many buildings were constructed, several of which have survived. The 'Castel dels Tres Dragons' is the most notable of these. It is built as a medieval castle which served as a restaurant during the 1888 exhibition. It is now home to a museum, the Museo de Zoologia.
Some Attractions
Besides museums, the 30ha / 74acre large park is home to the Parc Zoologic, the Barcelona Zoo. The most famous of its 7000 animals was the albino gorilla, 'Floret de Neu'. Unfortunately, he died in 2004.
The park also features a small lake, a popular spot where you can hire a rowing boat.
There are several statues in the park, the ones that stands out most are a large stone mammoth and a metallic cat. A more conventional statue commemorates General Prim, who made the demolition of the citadel possible.
The Cascada
At the northern corner of the park is the Cascada, a triumphal arch with waterfall and fountain built for the 1888 Universal exhibition. The baroque construction designed by Josep Fontsère, responsible for the conversion of the citadel site into a park, took six years to complete. The design was loosely based on the Trevi Fountain in Rome. The architect was assisted by Antoni Gaudí, at the time still a student.
The Parc de la Ciutadella is Barcelona's most central park. The park includes a zoo, a lake, a large fountain and several museums. The Catalan Parliament is seated at a building in the center of the park.
The Citadel
In 1714, after a 13 month long siege, Barcelona fell to the army of Philips V during the war of the Spanish Succession. In order to keep firm control over Barcelona, King Philips V built the largest fortress in Europe, a star-shaped citadel or 'Ciutadella'. A large part of the the Ribera district was demolished for this fortress. Only 30 years later was the neighborhood rebuilt at another location as the 'Barceloneta'.
Ciutadella Demolishment
The much-hated symbol of central government was demolished between 1869 and 1878 after the Catalan general Prim handed over the citadel to the city. Only three buildings survived: the chapel, the Governor's palace and the arsenal, now home to the Catalan Parliament.
A New Park
Already in 1872 works to convert the area into a central city park had started, but it progressed slowly. In 1885 the park was designated as the site of the 1888 Universal Exhibition, giving a boost to the development of the park. Many buildings were constructed, several of which have survived. The 'Castel dels Tres Dragons' is the most notable of these. It is built as a medieval castle which served as a restaurant during the 1888 exhibition. It is now home to a museum, the Museo de Zoologia.
Some Attractions
Besides museums, the 30ha / 74acre large park is home to the Parc Zoologic, the Barcelona Zoo. The most famous of its 7000 animals was the albino gorilla, 'Floret de Neu'. Unfortunately, he died in 2004.
The park also features a small lake, a popular spot where you can hire a rowing boat.
There are several statues in the park, the ones that stands out most are a large stone mammoth and a metallic cat. A more conventional statue commemorates General Prim, who made the demolition of the citadel possible.
The Cascada
At the northern corner of the park is the Cascada, a triumphal arch with waterfall and fountain built for the 1888 Universal exhibition. The baroque construction designed by Josep Fontsère, responsible for the conversion of the citadel site into a park, took six years to complete. The design was loosely based on the Trevi Fountain in Rome. The architect was assisted by Antoni Gaudí, at the time still a student.
GARDEN OF MONTJUÏC in Barcelona
This headland park to the southwest of the city welcomes more than 15 million visitors a year to its museums, concert arenas, sports centers, and gardens (only New York City's Central Park gets more foot traffic). Mossén Costa i Llobera is the best collection of its kind in Europe—a secret garden with a sea view, planted with more than 800 exotic species of cacti (Carretera de Miramar 1; 34-93-424-3809; www.bcn.es/parcsijardins/pa_llobera.htm).
The Jardí Botànic, with its futuristic steel banks and hardwood walkways, was inaugurated in 1999. The planting pulls together vegetation from Mediterranean-like climates around the world, such as rapistrum rugosum—Texan bastard cabbage (34-93-289-0611; www.bcn.es/parcsijardins/pa_botanic.htm). Full maturation is still a ways off, but for keen gardeners and botanists, it's a fascinating amble.
PARK GÜELL
The best and most famous example of Art Nouveau landscape-architecture has been designated a UNESO World Heritage Site. Count Eusebi Guell, a wealthy businessman, conceived the project as infrastructure for a garden suburb on what Gaudi described as 'the treeless mountain'.
The only parts to be completed, before worked stopped in 1914 and it became a public park in 1922, were a grand entrance, two houses, 3km of paths, a marvellous terrace and the hippostyle hall, planned as an underground market. Guell's friend, Antonio Gaudi, was the designer. Both men intended that the project would express the spirit of Catalonia as a potentially independent nation.
The park is very popular and has an obscure symbolic content. Shapes and colours were inspired by natural forms which Gaudi, a devout catholic, saw as instances of divine craftsmanship. The park is set into the hills overlooking Barcelona. Serpentine terraces, seats, galleries and acrades run with the mountainside. They are decorated with polychrome mosaics of broken stone, ceramic pots and old tiles. The bright colours might remind one of azuelejo. The curved terraces might remind one of Duncombe, the path layout of Buttes Chaumont. But the design has an energetic brilliance which belongs more completely to the twentieth century than any other public park made in Europe during the first half of the twentieth century.
Barcelona Gardens
PARK GÜELL
GAUDI
The best and most famous example of Art Nouveau landscape-architecture has been designated a UNESO World Heritage Site. Count Eusebi Guell, a wealthy businessman, conceived the project as infrastructure for a garden suburb on what Gaudi described as 'the treeless mountain'. The only parts to be completed, before worked stopped in 1914 and it became a public park in 1922, were a grand entrance, two houses, 3km of paths, a marvellous terrace and the hippostyle hall, planned as an underground market. Guell's friend, Antonio Gaudi, was the designer. Both men intended that the project would express the spirit of Catalonia as a potentially independent nation. The park is very popular and has an obscure symbolic content. Shapes and colours were inspired by natural forms which Gaudi, a devout catholic, saw as instances of divine craftsmanship. The park is set into the hills overlooking Barcelona. Serpentine terraces, seats, galleries and acrades run with the mountainside. They are decorated with polychrome mosaics of broken stone, ceramic pots and old tiles. The bright colours might remind one of azuelejo. The curved terraces might remind one of Duncombe, the path layout of Buttes Chaumont. But the design has an energetic brilliance which belongs more completely to the twentieth century than any other public park made in Europe during the first half of the twentieth century.
GAUDI
The best and most famous example of Art Nouveau landscape-architecture has been designated a UNESO World Heritage Site. Count Eusebi Guell, a wealthy businessman, conceived the project as infrastructure for a garden suburb on what Gaudi described as 'the treeless mountain'. The only parts to be completed, before worked stopped in 1914 and it became a public park in 1922, were a grand entrance, two houses, 3km of paths, a marvellous terrace and the hippostyle hall, planned as an underground market. Guell's friend, Antonio Gaudi, was the designer. Both men intended that the project would express the spirit of Catalonia as a potentially independent nation. The park is very popular and has an obscure symbolic content. Shapes and colours were inspired by natural forms which Gaudi, a devout catholic, saw as instances of divine craftsmanship. The park is set into the hills overlooking Barcelona. Serpentine terraces, seats, galleries and acrades run with the mountainside. They are decorated with polychrome mosaics of broken stone, ceramic pots and old tiles. The bright colours might remind one of azuelejo. The curved terraces might remind one of Duncombe, the path layout of Buttes Chaumont. But the design has an energetic brilliance which belongs more completely to the twentieth century than any other public park made in Europe during the first half of the twentieth century.
jueves, 10 de abril de 2008
La Diada
On September 11, catalonia commemorates the 1714 Siege of Barcelona defeat during the War of the Spanish succession. As a punishment for their support to the claim oh Habsburg Archduke Charles to the throne of Spain, institutions and rights of the territories of the crown of Catalonia and Aragon werw abolished by the victorious absolutist Bourbon mornachy.
In 1980 the restored Generalitat de Catalunya (autonomous governement of Catalonia), as its firs public act proclaimed 11 September La Diada, the Catalan National holiday.
Organitations and political parties traditionally lay floral offerings the monuments of Rafael Casanova and General Moragues for their fight against the Borboun army.
Catalan nationalists also meet in the Fossar de les Moreres, where they and celebration events many citizens wave either senyeres or estelades and hang them on their balconies.
Catalunya triomfant, Catalonia triumphanttornarà a ser rica i plena. Will once again be rich and bountiful,Endarrera aquesta gent Drive them back, these peopletan ufana i tan superba. So conceited and so arrogant.
Bon cop de falç, A good blow with the sickle,Bon cop de falç, A good blow with the sickle,Defensors de la terra! Defenders of the land!Bon cop de falç! A good blow with the sickle!
Ara és hora, segadors. Now is the time, reapers,Ara és hora d'estar alerta. Now is the time to be alert.Per quan vingui un altre juny For when another June comes,esmolem ben bé les eines. Let us sharpen our tools well.
Bon cop de falç, A good blow with the sickle,Bon cop de falç, A good blow with the sickle,Defensors de la terra! Defenders of the land!Bon cop de falç! A good blow with the sickle!
Que tremoli l'enemic Let the enemy trembleen veient la nostra ensenya. On seeing our banner.Com fem caure espigues d'or, Just as we cut down golden stalks of wheat,quan convé seguem cadenes. When the time is right, we can hack chains.
Bon cop de falç, A good blow with the sickle,Bon cop de falç, A good blow with the sickle,Defensors de la terra! Defenders of the land!Bon cop de falç! A good blow with the sickle!
In 1980 the restored Generalitat de Catalunya (autonomous governement of Catalonia), as its firs public act proclaimed 11 September La Diada, the Catalan National holiday.
Organitations and political parties traditionally lay floral offerings the monuments of Rafael Casanova and General Moragues for their fight against the Borboun army.
Catalan nationalists also meet in the Fossar de les Moreres, where they and celebration events many citizens wave either senyeres or estelades and hang them on their balconies.
Catalunya triomfant, Catalonia triumphanttornarà a ser rica i plena. Will once again be rich and bountiful,Endarrera aquesta gent Drive them back, these peopletan ufana i tan superba. So conceited and so arrogant.
Bon cop de falç, A good blow with the sickle,Bon cop de falç, A good blow with the sickle,Defensors de la terra! Defenders of the land!Bon cop de falç! A good blow with the sickle!
Ara és hora, segadors. Now is the time, reapers,Ara és hora d'estar alerta. Now is the time to be alert.Per quan vingui un altre juny For when another June comes,esmolem ben bé les eines. Let us sharpen our tools well.
Bon cop de falç, A good blow with the sickle,Bon cop de falç, A good blow with the sickle,Defensors de la terra! Defenders of the land!Bon cop de falç! A good blow with the sickle!
Que tremoli l'enemic Let the enemy trembleen veient la nostra ensenya. On seeing our banner.Com fem caure espigues d'or, Just as we cut down golden stalks of wheat,quan convé seguem cadenes. When the time is right, we can hack chains.
Bon cop de falç, A good blow with the sickle,Bon cop de falç, A good blow with the sickle,Defensors de la terra! Defenders of the land!Bon cop de falç! A good blow with the sickle!
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