Attractions & leisure
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.
The Mirador de l"Alcalde is a belvedere overlooking the sea and the city which boasts spectacular 180º panoramic views. From here, you can play a game of I-spy to identify Barcelona"s main landmarks, as if you were looking at a large model of the city.
The massif is the result of the erosion of hard rock (conglomerate) and softer ones (clays and sedimentary rocks) over thousands of years. The highest peak,
Sant Jeroni, stands 1,238 metres above sea level. The massif is a natural park and covers an area of approximately 3,600 hectares. It is the perfect place for hiking, climbing and caving (with wonderful places you can visit, such as the
Collbató or
Salnitre caves). A park with a wealth of beautiful natural scenery that is reflected in its varied flora and fauna. You"ll find squirrels, wild goats, wild boar, evergreen oaks and white pines.
Strangely enough, the Palau de la Música Catalana, the so-called "building that epitomises Catalan art nouveau" wasn"t designed by Gaudí, but by his contemporary
Lluís Domènech i Montaner (Barcelona, 1850-1923). This concert hall in Barcelona, which is a designated
UNESCO World Heritage Site, is an artistic landmark of outstanding beauty and a highly prestigious music venue.
Tibidabo Amusement Park has stood for more than a century on Barcelona"s highest point. It exists in the memories of generations of the people of Barcelona, and continues to be a place for fun, surprises and entertainments, with rides and attractions for young and old, for the wary and most daring.
