Las Arenas, Barcelona- from bullring to shopping centre
November 16, 2011 by Admin
Filed under Activities, History and culture
div class=’posterous_autopost’pspan style=”font-family: arial, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;”Only British architectstrong Richard Rogers/strong could turn a Bullring into a shopping centre! He kept the exterior but raised it about 5m and built this amazing steel support structure inside to support the floors with shops and cinemas etc. Around the roof is a circular terrace with cafes and restaurants with some of the best views in strongBarcelona/strong. Forget the shopping, go see the building! Here is what it looked like while under construction from the architects web page:nbsp;/spanbr style=”font-family: arial, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;” /a href=”http://www.rsh-p.com/work/all_projects/las_arenas/construction#Barcelona” class=”ot-anchor” style=”color: #3366cc; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none; font-family: arial, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;”http://www.rsh-p.com/work/all_projects/las_arenas/construction/a/p pdiv class=’p_embed p_image_embed’ a href=”http://getfile9.posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2011-11-16/tgukniEGjkamcDlvoywbreFunyxdcwnlJbbFDhCsuDeCtEtCrwbBmhjabfil/P1050715.jpg.scaled1000.jpg”img alt=”P1050715″ height=”667″ src=”http://getfile4.posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2011-11-16/tgukniEGjkamcDlvoywbreFunyxdcwnlJbbFDhCsuDeCtEtCrwbBmhjabfil/P1050715.jpg.scaled500.jpg” width=”500″ //a a href=”http://getfile6.posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2011-11-16/fpgDhdAHoIqqkheigztCjvwcFDyvsFpEvrggynDJinoAwsuiFyrFpbrHsnJC/P1050711.JPG.scaled1000.jpg”img alt=”P1050711″ height=”375″ src=”http://getfile8.posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2011-11-16/fpgDhdAHoIqqkheigztCjvwcFDyvsFpEvrggynDJinoAwsuiFyrFpbrHsnJC/P1050711.JPG.scaled500.jpg” width=”500″ //a a href=”http://getfile5.posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2011-11-16/AHFEvvhIfuumujeitvrzHxyDkdkgoplAjotkooqFIzumfytvCcapyuIGftfF/P1050688.jpg.scaled1000.jpg”img alt=”P1050688″ height=”667″ src=”http://getfile2.posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2011-11-16/AHFEvvhIfuumujeitvrzHxyDkdkgoplAjotkooqFIzumfytvCcapyuIGftfF/P1050688.jpg.scaled500.jpg” width=”500″ //a a href=”http://getfile1.posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2011-11-16/bmyrchhCjwDxhxEiImCBtezknufBqlBIqBshiqhAJzvGetbsApzeJHsjBavz/P1050697.jpg.scaled1000.jpg”img alt=”P1050697″ height=”667″ src=”http://getfile2.posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2011-11-16/bmyrchhCjwDxhxEiImCBtezknufBqlBIqBshiqhAJzvGetbsApzeJHsjBavz/P1050697.jpg.scaled500.jpg” width=”500″ //a a href=”http://getfile0.posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2011-11-16/JgmnxEyuAamkgGjICJswbcEwzBlAbkfIIngqjxbyohtqzFczzDapupsBotDx/P1050713.jpg.scaled1000.jpg”img alt=”P1050713″ height=”667″ src=”http://getfile7.posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2011-11-16/JgmnxEyuAamkgGjICJswbcEwzBlAbkfIIngqjxbyohtqzFczzDapupsBotDx/P1050713.jpg.scaled500.jpg” width=”500″ //a a href=”http://getfile0.posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2011-11-16/bjjuedzpDCgrcaAmnEeGffGdImbigxjyofCqmFglvfeBdzqxBGwJjIjdjqvD/P1050718.jpg.scaled1000.jpg”img alt=”P1050718″ height=”667″ src=”http://getfile0.posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2011-11-16/bjjuedzpDCgrcaAmnEeGffGdImbigxjyofCqmFglvfeBdzqxBGwJjIjdjqvD/P1050718.jpg.scaled500.jpg” width=”500″ //a a href=”http://getfile1.posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2011-11-16/vCdyGEyzGyuwevteaCaJoFbHitGmguoGpvjxnvEgiDydEoDmyazapmJnwElB/P1050727.JPG.scaled1000.jpg”img alt=”P1050727″ height=”375″ src=”http://getfile7.posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2011-11-16/vCdyGEyzGyuwevteaCaJoFbHitGmguoGpvjxnvEgiDydEoDmyazapmJnwElB/P1050727.JPG.scaled500.jpg” width=”500″ //a a href=”http://getfile5.posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2011-11-16/sCAgtICfoheBGCiDAfnDDcCJsqroygpAedbtoavybwvsuyEBdBipaeoIoxfp/P1050734.JPG.scaled1000.jpg”img alt=”P1050734″ height=”375″ src=”http://getfile2.posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2011-11-16/sCAgtICfoheBGCiDAfnDDcCJsqroygpAedbtoavybwvsuyEBdBipaeoIoxfp/P1050734.JPG.scaled500.jpg” width=”500″ //a a href=”http://getfile3.posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2011-11-16/EodykIiEIelquyxlfIejztjDIbwoHDsqfqgCFmgBbyvxigvGgqwaekuviyjb/P1050738.JPG.scaled1000.jpg”img alt=”P1050738″ height=”375″ src=”http://getfile1.posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2011-11-16/EodykIiEIelquyxlfIejztjDIbwoHDsqfqgCFmgBbyvxigvGgqwaekuviyjb/P1050738.JPG.scaled500.jpg” width=”500″ //a div class=’p_see_full_gallery’a href=”http://gironaj.com/las-arenas-barcelona-from-bullring-to-shoppin”See the full gallery on Posterous/a/div /div /p/div
La carbonera de Forallac- the ancient art of making charcoal
November 2, 2011 by Admin
Filed under Activities, History and culture
The municipality of Forallac near La Bisbal decided in 1993 to bring back some of the country traditions which had been used in the hills of Les Gavarres by local residents before the skills dissapeared forever.
To this end every year they hold a 2 week re-creation of how charcoal was traditionally made in the area. It involves stacking in a circular form the hard oak which is found in these hills called thealsina, with layers of heather covering them and then earth on top until all the wood has been stacked into a mound with only the earth visible and smoke coming out of the top. This circular form is built up in a mound around a hole in the middle where the smoke exits and the fire sucks in oxygen to provide the slow burn needed to carbonize the wood without destroying it.
The whole procees of transforming wood into charcoal takes 10 days to 2 weeks and meanwhile hundreds of school children come to visit as well as people to enjoy a picnic in the forest. On the last weekend when the mound is torn down the charcoal is distrubuted to the picnickers to make their barbecues and grilltheir favourite meat dishes which adds a traditional taste, yum, yum!
Riots in Girona? No just the annual “correfocs” festival
November 2, 2011 by Admin
Filed under Activities, Festivals, History and culture
“Correfocs” literally translated means running with fire and that’s exactly what happens through the Old Town of Girona on the night of the 31st of october every year. The organisers are dressed in costumes and some are on stilts supported by some heavy drum beats while they set off multiple fireworks and explosions all around while joined by hundreds of mostly young people all dancing in the shower of sparks. They wear old clothes and cover their heads and faces to avoid being burned but the danger is of course the best part!
The whole procession weaves up past the cathedral through the narrow streets making for spectacular images with the noise, smell of cordite and clouds of smoke adding to the experience of hell as we follow the devil into his lair…
Sant Jordi, Catalonia’s patron saint
April 23, 2011 by Admin
Filed under Activities, Festivals, History and culture
Today is one of the most important dates on the Catalan calendar, Sant Jordi or Saint George to the English, is also the patron saint of Catalonia. Tradition dictates that men buy women a rose while we men get a better deal by receiving a book.
So today the Rambla in Girona, just like everywhere else here in Catalonia, was packed with people looking at the stalls for the perfect rose and book for their loved ones.
It is a beautiful tradition and one which seems to be getting stronger as many school kids use the sale of roses and books to raise money for their end of term outings as well as for charity.
Random pictures of Girona Old Town
March 28, 2011 by Admin
Filed under History and culture
Taking advantage of a beautiful sunday afternoon with spring colours emerging inspired me to take these pictures:
La Pilar cathedral Zaragoza
March 14, 2011 by Admin
Filed under Activities, History and culture
For those of you that decide to rent a car and drive from Madrid to Barcelona a stop to visit the spectacular La Pilar basilica in Zaragozais a must.
The Basilica-Cathedral of Our Lady of the Pillar (in Spanish Catedral-Basílica de Nuestra Señora del Pilar) is a Roman Catholic church in the city of Zaragoza, Aragon, Spain. The Basilica venerates Blessed Virgin Mary, under her title Our Lady of the Pillar[1] praised as Mother of the Hispanic Peoples by Pope John Paul II.[2] It is reputed to be the first church dedicated to Mary in history.[3]
Local traditions take the history of this basilica to the dawn of Christianity in Spain attributing to an apparition to Saint James the Great, the apostle who had brought Christianity to the country.[4] This is the only known apparition of Mary to have occurred before her Assumption.[2]
Many of the kings of Spain, many other foreign rulers and saints have paid their devotion before this statue of Mary. Saint John of the Cross, Saint Teresa of Avila, Saint Ignatius of Loyola, and Blessed William Joseph Chaminade are among the most outstanding ones.[5] The Basilica of Our Lady of the Pillar is one of two minor basilicas in the city of Zaragoza, and is co-cathedral of the city alongside the nearby La Seo Cathedral. The architecture is of Baroque style, and the present building was predominantly built between 1681 and 1872.
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Vilanova i la Geltrú- on the Modernist Route
February 28, 2011 by Admin
Filed under Activities, History and culture
Vilanova i la Geltrú is on the Modernist route just south of Barcelona and next to its more famous but smaller neighbour, Sitges. Once famous as a holiday destination for the middle classes from Barcelona, especially once the train line was established in the 1890′s, it is now one of the main commercial fishing ports on the Costa Daurada.
There are still many wonderful Modernist buildings to see both along the seafront and in the centre of town, and the tourist office has a useful map with routes and explanations. Once you have built up an appetite from all the walking, head for the port and choose from one of the many good fresh seafood restaurants with outside terrace. The beach here is wide, long and sandy and ideal for running along or for kids as it stays shallow for a long way out. The impressive bronze statue of the bull is on a breakwater with views back along the beachfront and town and well worth walking out to.
An excellent place for a day trip any time of the year, in winter there are the Modernist buildings and museums to see and in summer the long beaches and promenades with good seafood all the time!
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Sant Feliu de Guíxols on the Costa Brava
February 25, 2011 by Admin
Filed under Activities, History and culture
Sant Feliu is a town of about 20,000 people situated on the most interesting part of the Costa Brava with small rocky coves and sandy beaches only 20 mins drive from Girona. It is the perfect place to head to for a gentle stroll along the wide promenade or to sit at one of the many cafes and restaurants savouring the fresh shellfish with views of beach and fishing port.
This has been a resort town ever since the railway arrived in 1890 and many wealthy families built their second homes here, some in the Modernist style that are still looking good today. The old Casino building on the promenade is a good example although slightly gaudy for my personal taste. Always look up when you walk around these towns as then you can spot some wonderful tilework, sometimes under the eaves of the roof, ornate balconies and interesting windows and balconies. So whether to sit on the beach or wander around the small shaded squares or the pedestrianised shopping area looking for select foods or boutiques, Sant Feliu has something for everyone.
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Sant Quirze de Colera Monastery
February 14, 2011 by Admin
Filed under Activities, History and culture
Tucked in the folds of the Albera mountain range in a valley which is now part of the natural park, Sant Quirze is one of the oldest monasteries on the Spanish side of the Pyrenees. The remains of the original 9th century church were incorporated in the Romanesque basilica built in the10th and 11th centuries, and some frescoes are visible in the nave although in poor condition.
Since the monastery had been closed to the public for most of the last decade for restoration, I had high expectations. Unfortunately they were dashed by a combination of unfinished work and a lack of explanation on what had been one of the most important monasteries for some 500 years in the Middle Ages.
Its strategic location, on one of the main routes across the mountains into Spain, meant that it was regularly overrun by hungry French soldiers who were happy to take anything they could carry, especially if it was gold or silver. By the 16th century it was no more than a ruin and was ceded to one of the local farming families that used it to shelter their livestock.
The area is beautiful, if stark, and cows still wander the valley with bells around their necks. Small fast- running streams come down from the mountains which are covered in an almost impenetrable thick gorse. This is a great place for walking and cycling and there are numerous marked paths that lead here from the coast at Colera and continue inland to Rabós and Espolla as well as the Coll de Banyuls and France.
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Old Vic- wonderful architecture
January 19, 2011 by Admin
Filed under Activities, History and culture
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