| Barcelona is the capital of Catalunya, one of the | | | | added since Gaudi's death, but there is speculation as |
| richest and most fiercely independent regions in Spain. | | | | to whether the building will ever be completely |
| Catalan people speak their own language and many | | | | finished, or in fact whether it really should be. |
| do not believe themselves to be Spanish. The golden | | | | You can pay to go up inside one of the towers, of |
| age of Catalunya was around the twelfth to | | | | which there are now eight, each one over one |
| fourteenth centuries, when Barcelona was the centre | | | | hundred meters high. The initial design was meant to |
| of the great seafaring empire of Aragon. In addition | | | | incorporate eighteen towers, one for each of the |
| to Barcelona, Catalunya is made up of the cities of | | | | twelve apostles, four for the Evangelists, and one |
| Lleida, Girona and Tarragona, and the long Costa | | | | each for Jesus and the Virgin Mary. |
| Brava, stretching from the French border to Valencia. | | | | Other piece of Gaudi's work can be seen all over the |
| Barcelona has become a real tourist trap for the | | | | city. You will want to pull the Park Guell, La Pedrera |
| fantastic mixture of activities on offer there. Its | | | | and the Mila house into your itinerary if you possibly |
| coastal location attracts sun worshipers who enjoy | | | | can. |
| the beach front resorts along the coast, as well as | | | | You can get detailed information about the sights of |
| the vibrant nightlife of the city centre. The cultural | | | | Barcelona before you go from your travel agent, the |
| and historical delights of the town appeal to the | | | | internet, or the tourist information office in |
| sightseer, visiting for a long weekend, and the more | | | | Barcelona's main square once you get there. Make |
| active will love hiking in the nearby mountains, where | | | | sure you pick up a map showing all the main sights as |
| skiing can be found in winter. | | | | well as the major stores, restaurants and hotels. Also |
| The most famous symbol of Barcelona and one sight | | | | consider going on a bus tour of the city. It is a great |
| that all holidaymakers want to visit is Gaudi's Sagrada | | | | way to get your bearings in a very busy and |
| Familia. Even those that have not visited the city will | | | | crowded city, and give you an idea of the distance |
| be familiar with the dripping wax image of the main | | | | between places of interest. Talk to your guide, they |
| façade. The famous architect began work on | | | | may be able to give you local information about great |
| this church in 1882, however the task took a long | | | | eating places and temporary exhibitions that will not |
| time as the building work relied on donations, and it | | | | be marked on your map. You will never get bored in |
| had not been completed in 1926 when Gaudi was | | | | Barcelona; your only concern will be how to fit in |
| struck by a train and died. Work has since | | | | everything you want to see. |
| recommenced on the church and much has been | | | | |