Sunday 28 September 2025
The Shore Excursion “Discover the Gems of Barcelona” was our introduction to the long storied history and culture of the port city of Barcelona, Spain. Today this capital of Catalonia is so densely populated that all the four million residents live in apartments and few drive cars for there is no room for houses or parking lots. Our tour began in the Eixample district of the city developed in the mid-19th Century when the population boomed with the Industrial Revolution and the city demolished its medieval city wall. Our first stop was to view the exterior of Sagrada Familia, the still uncompleted basilica, one of the largest Catholic churches in the world. Envisioned by Barcelona bookseller Josep María Bocabella who was disturbed by the social changes brought on by the Industrial Age and designed by the renowned architect Anton Gaudí. Construction began in 1882 and is expected to be completed by 2050. Soon we were in the Old Town where history dates back to the Phoenicians, Greeks, Carthaginians, and Romans. We enjoyed a lunch of local delicacies at Casa Delfín before rejoining the group for a tour of some of the oldest areas of the city. Some of the highlights include admiring the exterior of the 14th Century Basilica of Santa Maria Del Mar, the Carasses of Carrer dels Mirallers where in the 17th Century sailors and soldiers could seek adult entertainment, a visit to Plaça del Rei, and the Grand Royal Palace where in 1493 Christopher Colombus reported his findings to King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella, four Roman Columns of the Temple of Augustus. As luck would have it our visit coincided with the last day of La Mercé, the Festival of the Patroness of Barcelona. As we went through Plaça Sant Jaume were delighted to get a glimpse of competing groups of Castellers building human towers.We can see why folks flock to this fascinating UNESCO World Heritage site. Definitely this stop has expanded our personal world views. Loving the adventure!
Love the video of the human tower. Very unique.