Catalan notes. Part 2. Aquarium, Bari Gothic, Parc de la Ciutadella, show fountain
I really wanted to go to the sea, so we started our walk in the port. The port of Vel is located on a vast area of .300 hectares on the coast between the foothills of Montjuï c and the area of La Barceloneta. This port has a glorious long history: its construction began in 1477. At one time, this particular port was considered one of the most important and sought-after ports in the Mediterranean. Later, the port was rebuilt several times, trying to make it more reliable and protected from the elements. Not surprisingly, Port Vel is still one of the most important ports in Spain.
After standing for half an hour (which by the standards of Barsena is a real trifle) queue, we ended up in the Aquarium. L'AQUARIUM DE BARCELONA contains 8 thousand specimens and 300 species of fish that live in all the seas of the world. Under the oceanarium there is a tunnel, passing through which you can feel like at the bottom of the ocean. People move through the tunnels on special moving paths.
Behind the glass of the aquarium you can see a variety of small fish and huge sharks.
Having seen plenty of fish and penguins, we set off towards the Gothic Quarter. The beautiful building of the Main Post Office of the city, the Basilica of Santa Maria del Mar ...in the labyrinth of streets we came across (or rather, barely found) the Picasso Museum. Quite expectedly, the line in front of him stretched for 200 meters, so we, apparently, will enjoy the creations of the master via the Internet. And so we ended up in Bari Gothic. The quarter takes up little space, but it is not surprising to get lost in it. Winding and narrow streets, many of which can only be driven by bicycle, will pull you into their plexus, every courtyard will want you to look into it, every lane will lead you into some kind of secret.
And it is simply impossible to maintain orientation in space here, and all that remains is, leaving the block, to look closely at the streets, referring to the map, gradually realizing that you did not go out at all where it was supposed to. The very center of the Gothic Quarter is the San Jaume Square (Plaza St. Jaume). Here in Roman times there was a forum, not far away even several columns from the time of Caesar Augustus were preserved. It was the ancient center of the city, and it remains the center even now - there are two government buildings on the square - one houses the government of the city, and the other - the whole of Catalonia. This is how it is in everything - the Gothic Quarter is not a museum or a monument (although there are enough museums and monuments here), but a residential quarter, where quite comfortable apartments are hidden behind the old facades, where you can find a shopping center and a disco, a cozy cafe and art gallery. By the way, it was on its streets that the shooting of the film "Perfumer" took place.
A 20-minute leisurely walk from the Gothic Quarter is the luxurious Parc de la Ciutadella with a harmonious interlacing of picturesque nature and architectural buildings. One of its entrances is decorated with the famous Arc de Triomphe. This place fascinates tourists, for residents of the city it is a favorite vacation spot. We were most fascinated by the Cascade fountain, which has become a magnificent combination of sculpture, flora and water patterns.
The day flew by unnoticed, but we did not lose hope to see the greatest creation of Gaudí - the Sagrada Familia. And everything would be fine, but at exactly 20:00 they stopped letting tourists in and actively asked to leave the territory. So we were not lucky enough to get inside this time either (as well as the next third one - we were mentally unprepared to stand in a queue of 2.5 hours). But we managed to shoot the cathedral in the rays of the passing day ...
Quite tired, we headed to the Plaza de Españ a to transfer to “our” 95 bus to Castelldefels. But it was not there. What appeared before our eyes made us linger for another hour and even get a little wet. Magical, bewitching, alluring and attractive light and music show. Tons of water rising into the air to the sound of classical music. The excitement of the audience, a continuous traffic jam on the roadway, as everyone rushes to the fountains, but even the bus drivers do not get angry and do not honk ...such beauty is worth seeing ...
On this day, it was the water element that brought the most vivid impressions - a giant aquarium, chic fountains in the Parc de la Ciutadella and, to the final chords, a fountain show at the Royal Palace ...
The route, like the previous day, was intense, but very interesting:
Promenade and port of Vel - Aquarium - Basilica of Santa Maria del Mar - Bari Gothic and Picasso Museum - Parc de la Ciutadella and Arc de Triomphe - Sagrada Familia - Plaza de Españ a (fountain show)
…to be continued…
