Nestled on the northeast Mediterranean Sea coast of Spain, lies the ancient and great city of Barcelona. Although born of the Roman Empire, and not really blossoming until the mid nineteenth century, Barcelona has managed to retain its old world charm while seamlessly integrating many exciting elements of the modern age.
Remnants of the old Roman architecture are still in evidence. Part of an aqueduct in the Barri Gotic or gothic quarter is still standing, as are some of the streets. However, unlike Rome itself, the majority of the older buildings date back to the time that gives the area its name. Many of the famed churches in Barcelona, such as the world famous La Seu, were born in the medieval years.
Parc Guell Barcelona
The late nineteenth and early twentieth century is very much alive and well in this artistic city, thanks to Antonio Gaudi and his patrons. Park Guell and the Sagrada Familia are two notable examples, although there are numerous others including the Casa Milà. Even the lampposts outside the Pla de Palau show the characteristic touch of this unique artist.
Arc De Triomf Barcelona
However, Gaudi has hardly been alone in forming the great buildings and monuments of Barcelona. The Arc de Triomf, built for the 1888 Universal Exhibition, is an outstanding case in point. Although not as famous as the Parisian structure of that name, it is no less a thing of beauty. The numerous sights of Cituadella Park, Montjuic, and other areas of the city offer still more examples of the great things to see here.
The whole range of art throughout these centuries is on display at the Museu Nacional d'Art de Catalunya or MNAC. Here, visitors can find examples of objects from the Romanesque period (early 11th century) and continuing through the turn of the century, works drawn from all over Catalonia.
Barcelona is a city of modern as well as old, with the Poble Espanyol and numerous other famed structures, being built for the International Exhibition in 1929. This collection of over one hundred buildings was drawn from every style in Spain. Besides being able to see the complete range of Spanish residential architecture in a single location, you can shop, dine and dance to your hearts content.
La Boqueria - Mercat de Sant Josep
If you are seeking a fine combination of food and civic art, you could do no better than a visit to La Boqueria, the Mercat de Sant Josep, or St. Joseph's Market. Housed in a stellar 19th century structure, there are literally dozens of produce stalls offering every variety of native fruit and vegetable you can imagine. Then when it is time for a rest, why not sample one of the several superb tapas bars, such as Pinotxo.
Once you are refreshed and recharged, head out to the Barcelona Zoo or the Aquarium at Port Vell. Alternatively, if you want a stunning and unforgettable view of the entire city of Barcelona, head to the top of Montjuic. No matter where you go in this excellent city, you will be presented with some of the finest things to see and do anywhere in Europe.
Parc Zoologic Barcelona - Barcelona Zoo attracts more than a million visitors annually. It is not difficult to understand why, once you understand everything it offers animal lovers. Constructed in 1892 these thirteen hectares situated in Ciutadella Park house a huge number of animals from four hundred various species, many of whom typically are not found at other conservation establishments.
There are programs which stock as well as protect the Gila Monster which is a sizable lizard that is a favorite amongst children and grown ups alike. You are able to safely look at this particular creature which has changed very little from the prehistoric era. A little way behind on the time scale is the Giant Anteater, a rare species at zoos. The Pygmy Hippopotamus is yet another uncommon animal which visitors are unlikely to see, even at many larger facilities.
Parc Zoologic Barcelona
The zoo additionally hosts several Black Vultures, a Mhorr's Gazelle and Rothschild's Giraffes. As well as these well known names, Barcelona zoo houses species which are seldom seen anywhere else, including the Greater Kudu, Siamangs (an arboreal gibbon) along with a number of Mangabeys, which are a type of Old World monkey.
The zoo houses various interesting bird species to thrill visitors, such as night herons, egrets and storks. However various other species get a fair showing, too, like the Majorcan midwife toad from the Tramuntana Mountains. There is a snake house that youngsters will stare into for hours at a time.
There is no shortage of the type of animals which zoo enthusiasts frequently travel a long way to find . Parc Zoologic Barcelona offers several Eurasian Otters, that are part of the zoo's active return-to-the-wild program. There is a Red Panda which is a huge favorite amongst zoo-goers of every age group. Moreover the pack of Iberian wolves, indigenous to Spain, continues to draw in a huge number of onlookers each and every year.
The zoo offers sanctuary a number of lowland gorillas, as well. Most famously of those was Snowflake, a quasi-albino gorilla, who was a resident for thirty years. Snowflake was not a genuine albino, because his eyes were blue, not pink. However his pelt was totally white, the only real known instance of this variation. Snowflake passed away in 2003, but several of his progeny are housed in the zoo and there is a sizable display featuring several videos of this intriguing animal.
Barcelona Zoo Dolphins with Trainer
Dolphins are another unusual feature of Barcelona Zoo. Marine animals do not usually make their way into zoos, typically being restricted to aquaria. Barcelona has one of those, too. Nevertheless there are a number of different species housed here, including Bottlenose Dolphins. They even play host to a killer whale, virtually an unheard of species to find in a zoo.
As well as the dolphins and killer whale, the zoo holds several semi-aquatic animals in the form of Humboldt Penguins. These wonderfully zany creatures fly underwater employing their flippers as wings, just like birds do through the considerably thinner fluid we all call air. Nevertheless the technique in each case is very similar and as entertaining to watch in the case of the penguins.
Parc Zoologic Barcelona is straightforward to get to. Simply take the metro to Ciutadella and Barcelona zoo is a short walk away. Once completed, experience many of the other sights offered by the Ciutadella Park.
