The Roannais to Gaudi, Picasso, and Miro in Barcelona ! by Brian Franklin

The Roannais to Gaudi, Picasso and Miro in Barcelona !

Upward and onward we go on our sensational journey through Barcelona,
sampling its myriad exquisite delights – in glorious sunshine from stunning scenery
and amazing architecture to gastronomic pleasures and fabulous art.

Montjuic, in particular is a spectacular vantage point from which to view the city. It has a wealth of art galleries and museums, too, including the Fundacio Joan Miro.

The bizarre art, sculpture, and imagery of Miro is quite amazing, and the garden roof terrace is a stunning location within the unusual retro-bauhaus-style building where some of his colourful sculptures are presented.  Fundació Joan Miró

Many of the buildings in Montjuic were designed for the 1929 International

Exhibition, and the 1992 Olympics were held on its southern slopes.

We managed to reach the heady heights of Montjuic via cable car all the way to Castell de Montjuic overlooking the Mediterranean on one side and the city far below on the other. A magnificent place.

Our, ‘more on-the-ground’ experiences included a visit to the renowned Bar Mut.
a quality, but unassuming bar-café on the upper edges of the Eixample, close to the Avinguda Diagonal.

The Spanish word ‘Simpatico’ sums up this brilliant bar, where an original interior of old hydraulic tiles and a white marble-topped bar snaking around the room combines with a jazz-tinged soundtrack to create a winning atmosphere.

Most Spanish bars provide some kind of ’tasties’, and this one is no exception: plates of seafood, rice dishes, and excellent tinned conservas complement the 200-plus wines in the glass-fronted vitrina.
A highly popular establishment, so when we arrived we were lucky to find a perfect central spot on high stools at the bar where we could take in the vista, and gaze at all the city locals at luncheon.

My wife, Lucy, much to her slight horror, noticed that most of the sea creatures on the menu were still wriggling about under curved glass vitrina on the bar!

We had and excellent meal in extremely convivial, casual, but quality surroundings.

The Old Town, traversed by the city’s most famous avenue. La Rambla, is one of the most extensive medieval city centres in Europe. The Barri Gotic contains the cathedral and a maze of streets and squares. Across from the Via Laietana, the El Born neighbourhood is dominated by the Santa Maria del Mar church and is replete with 14th -century mansions.

The seemingly decadent, narrow, and graffitty-ridden streets ooze a nostalgia of empire past, but this area is becoming a trendier and more revitalized place with new, young businesses and apartments being developed and renovated.

The fabulous Museu Picasso is one of the many special attractions of this area.

This very popular museum is housed in five adjoining medieval palaces on Carrer Montcada: Berenguer d’Aguilar, Baro de Castellet, Mec, Mauri and Finestres. The museum opened in 1963 showing works donated by Jaime Sabartes, a friend of Picasso.
There are over 3000 of his pieces from the early period of his art. Fascinating!   The Picasso Museum, Barcelona

Barcelona is a fun, exciting place with plenty to catch the eye around every corner.

We will certainly be making plans for another visit in the future, and can heartily recommend the place to all – Adéu!

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The Pure Art Gallery