Top architectural sightseeing and landmarks of Barcelona - ideas on city exploration routes

» The Barcelona Cathedral is dedicated to St. Eulalia, a young girl who was tortured and martyred for Christian faith.
» That’s the main religious building in Barcelona.
» The most valuable relic of the Barcelona Cathedral are relics of Saint Eulalia buried under the main altar; if you push the 50-cent coin in the slot, the sarcophagus will light with fires.
» The painted wooden sarcophagus is set on the stand at the south wall. According to the legend, it belongs to Ramon Berenguer I, Count of Barcelona, and his wife.
» The chapel stores the most revered image of Christ, Holy Christ of Lepanto, that was on the ship of Juan of Austria at the battle of Lepanto.

» Sagrada Familia is one of the most famous delayed constructions in the world.
» Walls of Sagrada Familia are decorated with biblical scenes.
» The temple relies on the same columns and arches, on which houses do. The system is ingenious with lots of light, air and space. That’s the huge building, but it looks like a cloud castle.
» The calvary over the entrance to the Sagrada Familia portrays Christ in a very unusual and avant-garde way.
»  “Whether a person is playing God, creating such masterpieces, or God plays a man with such plans born in his mind,” said one of the researchers of Antonio Gaudi, stunned in amazement near Sagrada Familia.
» Barcelona Bishop in holiday garb uttered the phrase, “May the sleeping hearts wake up, may the faith be exalted, may the mercy triumph, may the God have mercy on this country ...”; with that he laid the first stone of the future temple dedicated to the worship and glorification of the Holy Family.

» Columbus Monument is the grandiose monument established in honor of the discoverer of the Americas, Christopher Columbus.
» The monument is situated at the site where Columbus returned from his first voyage to America. The monument is a reminder of Columbus visit to Queen Isabella I and King Ferdinand II in Barcelona.
» The word ‘Tierra’ is engraved on the pedestal; it’s translated from Spanish as ‘land’.
» There is an elevator inside the main column of the monument. You can climb to the statue itself, where a site next to Columbus provides a wonderful opportunity to enjoy the panoramic view of Barcelona from a height of over 40 meters.
» Like all art, a monument to Columbus generates a lot of controversy and legends. The main question that plagues all the tourists and residents of Barcelona is a place, where Columbus points the finger of his right hand. Many believe that Columbus shows at New World, which he was able to open. Some claim that Columbus is pointing with his finger towards the East, to his homeland, the city of Genoa.
» The monument is set on an octagonal pedestal, the corners of which are decorated with bronze figures of the goddess of victory. Portraits of people who have played an important mission in the life of Christopher Columbus and his travels are seen at the rear of the pedestal.

» Legendary Camp Nou is the largest stadium in Europe and one of the most famous stadiums in the world.
» Great matches of Barcelona FC with its worst enemy, Real Madrid, were held there; this confrontation has deep roots in the past.
» The arena is called the Nou Camp or New Field. The stadium is one of the ten most capacious stadiums in the world, and has UEFA five-star mark.
» The first stone was laid in March 1953, and the initial budget was 67 million pesetas.
» The museum of Barcelona is in the premises of the stadium. The museum was opened in 1984, and that’s the most visited museum in the whole of Catalonia. The rich exposition illustrates the rich history of Barcelona. It’s considered the best football museum in the world.

» The Magic Fountain of Montjuic is an amazing sight. Here light, music, movement and flow of the water are combined in sequence, creating a sense of magic.
» This magnificent fountain is located in the eponymous Montjuic hill; that’s one of the most famous sights of Barcelona.
» Magic Fountain is visited by 2.5 million visitors a year.
» The Fountain of Montjuic was built in 1929 and became the chief ornament of the International Fair and Universal Exhibition held in Barcelona in the same year.
» The fountain uses recycled water, so it’s safe to drink directly from the pool.
» That was the world's first fountain where water, light and music were synchronized in a single show.
» In normal mode, fountain of Montjuic comes to life every 30 minutes. The start of the performance depends on the time of year.

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Facts: » The Church of the Sacred Heart is located at the top of Tibidabo and is visible from any point of Barcelona. Above the temple stands the statue of Christ embracing the whole world.
» The Church of the Sacred Heart at the moment is the building consisting of at least two parts. The lower part looks like a fortress wall (it’s built of Montjuic stone), and the upper is a church in the Gothic Revival style.
» Due to the fact that the facade of the temple is constructed in a special way, it seems that the building tends directly to heaven. The building of the church is decorated with magnificent statues of the Apostles, the Virgin Mary and patron saints of Catalonia.
» The place for the erection wasn’t chosen occasionally, as the name of the mountain Tibidabo comes from the Latin phrase ‘give you’ and is a string of the Gospel. It means all earthly pleasures and wealth offered when Satan tempted Christ.