Barcelona is the capital of Catalonia and perhaps the most beautiful city in Spain. Almost ten million tourists go here every year, about a quarter of them are residents of the country itself. The city successfully holds second place in popularity after Paris. And this is really a place that deserves special attention. Almost every street and lane of this city are witnesses to many events.
Barcelona Attractions
This city is so full of cultural and historical values that it could very well pass for a jewelry box. Sort and inspect them can be almost infinite. Each time choosing the same diamond, you can find new faces again and again. Therefore, when planning their trip, all travelers almost every hour paint their movements from one point on the map to another.
The main points where everyone is obliged to visit are:
- Temple Expiatori de la Sagrada Família, which does not require a separate presentation.
- Rambla street.
- Park Guell and the Citadel.
- House of Mila and Batlló.
- Agbar Tower.
- Squares of Spain and Catalonia.
- Gothic Quarter.
- The Palace of Catalan music and many museums.
- Cathedral.
- Montjuic.
- The Arc de Triomphe of Barcelona, which is the entrance to the Citadel Park.
This is only a fraction of the miracles that await a traveler in the capital of Catalonia. In addition, many seek to visit the famous Camp Nou stadium and the museum exhibition at it. This is also one of the significant symbols of the city. And families with children prefer to definitely visit one of the largest European aquariums, which is also located in the city.
But we will stop and examine in more detail the Arc de Triomphe of Barcelona, a photo against which almost all travelers who visited the city have a photo.
Why are triumphal arches being built?
The tradition of installing triumphal arches is rooted in the days of ancient Rome. Thus honored the winners and heroes. Moreover, such structures could be temporary and capital. The latter have survived in many ways to this day. These are monumental buildings with many spans, bas-reliefs and statues.
Historical background on the arch from Barcelona
What triumph is immortalized by the arch of Barcelona? It turned out that it was not victories in the hostilities that caused the erection of a monumental structure. But nevertheless, an event was found that required that descendants of years and centuries remember it.
In 1888, the World Exhibition was planned in Barcelona - a significant event in world circles of that time. The main entrance to it was to become the hallmark of the meeting. It is for this that the Arc de Triomphe of Barcelona was built. It was the gateway to the exhibition, which hosted representatives from 27 countries. In total, more than two million people from around the world marched under the arches during the event.
Arc de Triomphe of Barcelona: description of the structure
The author of the project was Josep Vilaseca i Casanovas (Jusep Vilaseka). A red brick building was erected. Among such structures, such a choice was innovative. Indeed, most shades of gray and gray-beige predominated. Its height is 29.8 meters. The Neo-Moorish style was a fashionable trend of that time, which reflected the splendor of a reviving city and country. This incomparable grace of lines combined with regal rigor.
The Arc de Triomphe of Barcelona has several bas-relief and sculptural compositions:
- “Barcelona welcomes the nation”;
- "Reward";
- "Allegories of agriculture and industry";
- "Trade and art."
The most detailed view of all the figures is possible with binoculars, but even without it, all the elements, including the coats of arms of the country and provinces throughout the facade, can be seen quite well.
How to get to the arch?
The Arc de Triomphe of Barcelona is located at the intersection of Saló de Sant Joan and the Passeig Lluís Companys. On foot you can easily reach it from Plaza Catalunya or the Citadel Park.
The city has many bike rental points. The most favorable tariffs, of course, for the residents of the city themselves, but travelers can also use the services of the centers. For this, most often it will be necessary to make a deposit.
For those who are tired of a walking tour of the city, and whom cycling is no longer encouraging, there is public transport.
The train can deliver the Arc de Triomphe to the Barcelona train station. You should navigate along the lines R1, R3, R4. The metro station with the same name is also available if you use the L1 line. There are many bus routes from all over the city, arriving at Passeig Lluís Companys.
In order to save a little on travel tickets, travelers should take advantage of the comprehensive offer in the form of a T10 ticket. Moreover, you can purchase it directly at the airport of the city, and it applies to several types of transport at once.
For those who are not inclined to save, taxi service will help. These are black and yellow cars equipped with counters. It is for them that payment will be made. The most economical way to hire a taxi is to land in a special parking area. When calling the car, the address will be charged for the fuel spent on the trip to the place where the passenger will board. If you try to stop the car right in the stream on the street, an additional fee will be charged.
Each traveler can choose the best way for their physical and financial capabilities in order to get to the Arc de Triomphe in Barcelona.