Barcelona- Day 2 - La Rambla continuation

Placa Reial

Plaça Reial meaning "Royal Plaza" is a square in the Barri Gòtic located next to La Rambla and constitutes a well-known touristy attraction.

The Square is dotted with palm trees.

The yellow building is constructed in the 19th century with arcades on the first floor and decorated with neoclassical white trims.

Big places like this often originated as monasteries and when they were dissolved in the 19th centuries, their squares were incorporated in to what were considered generally more useful public spaces.

The square has lots of taverns and bars with patio seating.

It was still too early for lunch but I can imagine how crowded this place can be with a lot of people seating on the patio enjoying their lunch or dinner.

This area used to be seedy and dangerous part of town but recent gentrification efforts have given it new life, making it inviting and accessible. 

It is now a lively hangout by day and night. 

The square is interesting as it has Gaudi's first public works (see below)

Gaudi's colorful helmeted lampposts (there are 2 of them).

Heading back to la Rambla.

Walking from la Rambla to Carrer Nou de la Rambla taking us to Palau Güell.

Palau Güell is a mansion designed by the architect Antoni Gaudí for the industrial tycoon Eusebi Güell.  This is the first of Gaudi's Modernista buildings and was built between 1886 and 1888. 

The two parabolic-arch doorways and elaborate wrought iron work signal his emerging nonrectangular style.

The Palau was recently renovated and you can buy a ticket to look at the interior.  Pablo Picasso had a studio at #10 though there's nothing to see there today.

It is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site "Works of Antoni Gaudí".

Proceeding back to La Rambla...

There are a lot of artists selling their paintings

Hoa bought a painting from this artist (the 1st painting on top left of the 2nd picture).

Columbus Monument is a 200 foot column that commemorates Christopher Columbus's stop in Barcelona after his first trip to America.

At the very top of the monument stands a 24 ft tall bronze statue atop a 131 ft tall column. The statue was sculpted by Rafael Atché depicting Columbus pointing towards the New World with his right hand, while holding a scroll in the left.

At the base stands an octagonal pedestal from which four bronze winged victories.

We are heading toward the end of La Ramba towards Port Vell a waterfront harbor and part of the Port of Barcelona. It was built as part of an urban renewal program prior to the 1992 Barcelona Olympics. Before this, it was a run-down area of empty warehouses, railroad yards, and factories. 16 million people visit the complex each year.

Maritime Museum is located The museum is located in Las Reales Atarazanes, the old royal shipyard where they repaired and built the grand ships of 16th century onwards. The gothic-style building has recently been renovated and is worth a look just for the architecture alone.

It was a beautiful fall day and there are a lot of people strolling via bike.

This area mark the end of La Rambla so now we are walking back to the La Boqueria market for lunch.

Santa Maria del Pi meaning "St. Mary of the Pine Tree" is a 14th-century Gothic church located on the Plaça del Pi, in the Barri Gòtic district.

Going down La Rambla to carrer de Peritxol which is a narrow hidden street.  Carrer de Petritxol is crammed with numerous art galleries, bookshops, chocolate shops and cafeterias. The avenue takes its name from the word pedritxol, which was a stone used at the time to block the way for carriages at the entrance to the street. According to other sources, Petritxol was the name of a rich Catalan family who owned all houses in this street. The name could also be derived from the word portitxol which means 'little door'.

Next.. Day 2- Lunch