El Born Centre de Cultura i Memòria is a unique and exceptional place that brings together three centuries of our history. Below the cast-iron structure of the iconic 19th century marketplace lies the Barcelona of 1700, the prosperous city that suffered the siege of 1714 and that put up an epic and heroic resistance before Catalonia's national liberties were eventually lost, yet to be restored three centuries later.
Barcelona"s biggest ornamental fountain, which was built in 1929 for the International Exhibition, offers a spectacular display of music, water acrobatics and lights which generate over 50 kinds of shades and hues. The
Montjuïc Magic Fountain has become one of Barcelona"s most popular attractions and is where the "Piromusical" is held, a true balletic spectacle of water and light.
The Gran Teatre del Liceu was built in 1847 and is a unique cultural facility in Barcelona and one of Europe"s leading opera houses. Located on the Rambla, every year it hosts major opera and ballet productions and symphony concerts. The building was destroyed by fire in 1994 and reopened in 1999 after a magnificent reconstruction.
Standing at the end of
Barcelona"s Rambla, near the sea, The Mirador de Colom, also known as the Columbus Monument in Barcelona, designed by Gaietà Buïgas, was built in 1888 on the occasion of the Universal Exhibition as a tribute to
Christopher Columbus, who chose to disembark in the port of Barcelona on his return from America. Inside, a lift raises the 51mts high of the Columbus column, made of cast iron and Corinthian style, to the viewing gallery. If you look north, you"ll be able to make out the
Gothic Quarter, the Cathedral, Santa Maria del Mar and the bustling Rambla. If you look towards the sea, to the east, following the coastline, you will be able to see the Olympic Marina and the modern Forum. To the south, stands Montjuïc Hill, with its castle at the top and, finally, if you look west, you"ll see Collserola Natural Park, the vast green lung surrounding the city of Barcelona.
