Semana Santa 2011 (Easter Week) in Barcelona

This year, Barcelona celebrates the Semana Santa from the 17th until the 25th of April. For Catholics, coming to Barcelona for Easter Week is a good option but also for Non Catholics, since everybody could enjoy processions organized in the city. These processions are a great opportunity for tourists to discover the charm and the historical part of the city.

Palm Sunday procession route

In Barcelona, Easter holidays will start on the 17th, with Palm Sunday. A first procession will take place on this date in the Raval area, starting at 10.00 from Plaça Sant Agusti and ending around 12.00. Here is the procession route :

View Palm Sunday procession route - 17/04/2011 on a larger map

Holy Friday procession route

On the 22nd of April, during the Holy Friday (Viernes Santos), two main processions will take place.

The first one is called "Nuestra Señora de las Angustias" (Our Lady of Sorrows) and will start at 19.00 from Sant Jaume church. It will end around 22.30 in the same place. The procession will go through the Gothic area, from a point to another that you can see on the following map:

View Holy Friday procession route - 22/04/2011 on a larger map

The second one is called "Nuestro Padre Jesús del Gran Poder y María Santísima de la Esperanza Macarena" (Our Father Jesus of the Great Power and Holy Virgin of Macarena). It will start from Sant Augusti church to finish in this same place. This will follow almost the same itinerary than the procession for Palm Sunday, going from the Raval area to the Gothic area:

View Holy Friday procession route - 22/04/2011 on a larger map

Finally on the 25th of April, the Semana Santa will end with Easter Monday, where the family eat together a traditional easter cake (Mona de Pascua) offered by the godfather to his godchildren on Palm Sunday.

Funny tip:

But for the Semana Santa, there is also a funny tradition for children, which is called "The dancing egg" ("L'ou com balla" in catalonian). This tradition, still unknown from the public, consists in taking the shell of an empty egg and trying to make it turn on itself the longest as possible. For the occasion, fountains are decorated with fruits and flowers.

You could try this childish game in the Cathedral of Barcelona, el Poblet, The Frederic Marés Museum, The Santa Ana Church, el Ateneu barcelonés, The Bones Letres Academy and the Purisima Concepcio Church.

If you still need an accommodation in Barcelona for Easter holidays, check our website : Top Barcelona Apartments.

Barcelona Architecture

Barcelona is a city with mind-blowing architecture. When you first encounter Antoni Gaudí's La Sagrada Familia or his rooftop sculptures at La Pedrera, you'll be floored by the originality and hallucinogenic quality of his works. There's much in Barcelona unlike anything you've ever seen.

Barcelona architecture is, in reality, an attraction in itself. Just stroll around the city, especially through the Gothic Quarter and the Eixample, and you'll find an endless amount of fascinating buildings and unexpected treasures.

From Roman times to the Gothic period to the Catalan Art Nouveau, "modernisme," Barcelona's architecture naturally transmits the city's rich history. It speaks for eras of varying prosperity and decline, for fervent Catalan nationalism or subjugation to the central government, for Expos, Olympic Games, Cultural Forums and more.

The two most important styles of Barcelona architecture are Catalan Gothic, a medieval style, and Modernisme, a turn of the 20th century movement protagonized by Antoni Gaudi.
Apart from the Middle Ages and Barcelona's turn of the 20th century "Renaixença" (Catalan Renaissance) it's well worth mentioning the city's ancient remains.

You can see significant sections of the 4th century Roman walls at the Museu d'Història de la Ciutat and inside the Cathedral's Casa de L'Ardiaca, the Archdeacon's House.

Born Apartment

The apartment is in an old historical building and has wooden floors throughout, as well as stunning original features such as wooden beams, windows and a Spanish tiled ceiling New reformed and 80 metres up to 4-5 people, brand-new refurnished, full of Mediterranean warm light and eight windows and delicious decoration.

The apartment itself can sleep up to four people comfortably and occasionally we accept 5 persons, with two double bedroom with 2 double beds and 1 folding bed. There are 2 bedrooms and two bathrooms, one of them inside the double bedroom. The apartment is duplex and the bigger bed is upstairs. It is fully outfitted with kitchen equipment and has a modern bathroom, as well.

The apartment captures the typical characteristics of the Born Quarter old building. The building (build in 1700) is been renovate to strict rules and guidelines which conserves the historic facade of the ancient gothic quarter. Is located in a beautiful and quite pedestrian street.

The apartment has a large living room area, with complete kitchen, with fridge freezer, microwave, hob top,and a dining area to sit and eat any meals prepared in the apartment. There are large windows and balcony’s looking out into the street. The apartment has the original wooden beams. However, the apartment is also furnished with brand new furniture and fittings. The apartment is in a 2nd floor without lift. Subtle lighting and a calm atmosphere makes any guest feel the true medieval Barcelona experience.

The apartment is well served by public transport - the nearest metro is just a 2 minute walk away, and for those sun lovers, a 15 minute walk takes you right to the beach, too. There are many shops and markets in the Gothic Quarter, along with the Picasso museum, the textiles museum, and even the Chocolate museum.

A holiday stay in this exclusive accommodation is one not to be missed. Are you interested in this nice apartment? Book it here.

The Ramblas & The Gothic Quarter

Las Ramblas will likely be your first stop in Barcelona, and rightly so. This area is a must-see. Even though it’s packed with tourists, it’s an exciting, lively neighborhood perfect for ambling around, shopping, and eating. You can take a pleasant stroll, enjoy some great people-watching and admire the beautiful medieval architecture of the Barri Gotic all around you.

Plaça de Catalunya is a good place to start, especially because the aerobus and train from the airport both stop here. Barcelona's main train station - Estació Sants - is also on the same metro line as Catalyuna. The plaza itself is bordered by large department stores, including the mammoth El Corte Inglés and French FNAC, plus a couple of terraces great for meeting friends and having a café con leche.

The northwest end of Las Ramblas meets the southwest corner of Plaça de Catalunya. Las Ramblas is a long avenue with a central pedestrian walkway full of newsstands, cafes & restaurants, mimes, pavement artists, and more. The name "Las Ramblas" is plural because in reality this stretch is made up of 5 consecutive streets: Rambla Canaletes, Rambla Estudis, Rambla Sant Josep, Rambla Caputxins and Rambla Santa Mònica.

Las Ramblas is Spain's most famous boulevard. On the way down, you'll find many points of interest, such as Barcelona's opera house, the Gran Teatre del Liceu, and the Mercat de la Boqueria, a beautiful outdoor modernista food market. When you reach the end, you'll find yourself at the Monument a Colom, a tall homage to Christopher Columbus which signals the entrance to the harbor and Port Vell.

East of Las Ramblas you'll enter into the heart of the Gothic Quarter ("Barri Gotic"), the medieval section of Barcelona. Barcelona’s Cathedral - La Seu - is a prime example of the Catalan Gothic style, with beautiful exterior adornment added later in the 19th century. The surrounding neighborhood is full of Gothic Plaças characterized by terrace cafes, impromptu outdoor concerts, bars and shops. The most notable plazas are: Plaça del Rei, Plaça de Sant Jaume, Plaça de Sant Josep Oriol and Plaça Reial. There are also remnants of Roman walls, tombs and temples around here, as this is the part of the city where the Romans first settled. The best way to get a sense of ancient Barcelona is to vist the City History Museum on the Plaça del Rei.

It's a pleasure to just wander the streets off of Las Ramblas in the Gothic Quarter and stumble upon endless treasures and surprises.

While Las Ramblas itself holds the Wax and Erotica Museums, you'll find the more interesting elements of Barcelona culture in the Barri Gótic's charming side streets and plazas. This area is home to the fascinating City History Museum; the Liceu, Barcelona's stellar opera house; Jamboree, the old stomping grounds of Ella Fitzgerald and Chet Baker; and all the most important works of medieval Barcelona architecture.

Ciutat Vella, another name for this area, means "Old City." Ciutat Vella refers everything between the old port and Plaça de Catalunya (the Barri Gòtic plus La Ribera and El Raval). Between April and June you'll stumble upon numerous outdoor Ciutat Vella concerts, especially during 3 key annual music festivals: the Barcelona Flamenco Festival, the Barcelona Festival of Early Music, and the Festa de Música de Barcelona.

*NOTE* Keep an eye on your bag or other personal belongings on Las Ramblas. Pickpockets are notorious for robbing tourists around here.

Do you plan to spend some holidays in Barcelona? Rent an apartment in the Ramblas.

Walking tour - Gothic Quarter

On Foot. Approximate duration: 3 hours.



The Gothic Quarter is what used to be known ago as the "Cathedral Quarter". The great gothic buildings which marked the high point of the city and its culture during the Middle Ages are to be found here. Here likewise, are the remains of the ancient fotified walls and palaces built by the Romans on the "Mons Taber" such as, the temple dedicated to Augustus. Our itinerary begins in the Plaça Nova.

We list below all the points of interest of the Gothic Quarter:

1- Portal del Bisbe
Flanked by two round towers from the ancient Roman wall and on one side of the present Bishop's Palace.

2- Palace Episcopal (Bishop's Palace)
Carrer del Bisbe Irurita. Built at the end of the 12th Century and the beginning of the 13th Century.

3- Plaça de Sant Felip Neri
(Past the Bishop's Palace and to the right). One of the most lyrical places of the city.

4- Casa de l'Ardiaca
Carrer de Santa Llúcia. Built on the Roman walls during the 15th Century as a residence for the Archdeacon of the Cathedral. The cloister-type patio with its gothic fountain is noteworthy.

5- Interior of the Cathedral
Three cruciform aisles and twenty-nine lateral chapels in one of which Cristo de Lepanto is verenated. Noteworthy: The choirstall which features both medieval and rennaissance elements.

6- Cathedral cloisters
Beautiful central garden with palm-trees and magnolias. Interesting wrought-iron work.

7- La Pietat dorr
Entry to the Cathedral cloister. Pieta carved in wood, flamenco school.

8- Casa dels Canonges
Gothic building from the 14th Century now restored.

9- Centre Excursionista de Catalunya
Carrer de Paradís, 10. The Roman columns from the temple dedicated to Augustus are kept inside.

10- Palau de la Generalitat
Gothic building from the 15th century. Joined to Casa dels Canonges by the aforementioned passageway. Orange grove. St. George Chapel.

11- Casa de la Ciutat or City Hall
Next to the Neo-Classical facade (19th Century) there is a lateral gothic facade (14th Century) and some levely steps. "Saló de Cròniques" with paintings by Josep Ma. Sert and the historical "Saló de Cent".

12- Plaça del Rei
This is the most handsome section of Barcelona. It a square outlined by gothic buildings toped by the facade of the former main Royal Palace and its watchtower - a true skyscraper for the 16th Century.

13- Casa Clariana-Padellas
Houses the "Museu d'Història de la Ciutat"

14- Palau de Lloctinent
Gothic building embellish with rennaissance elements. The craftmanship of the stairways in worth noting.

15- Casa de la Pia Almoina or de la Canonja
Plaça de la Seu, beside the Cathedral. Forner seat of charitable foundation set up at the beginning of the 11th Century.

16- Plaça de Ramon Berenguer el Gran
Equestrian statue in bronze representing Ramon Berenguer III.

17- Ancient medieval synagogue


You can rent an apartment in the Gothic Quarter from walking distance of all these points of interest.

Santa Maria del Mar

Santa Maria del Mar is an imposing church in Barcelona, Catalonia. Located in the district of La Ribera, it was built between 1329 and 1383, at the height of Catalonia's maritime and mercantile preeminence. It is an outstanding example of Catalan Gothic, with a purity and unity of style that are very unusual in large mediaeval buildings.

The first mention of a church of Santa Maria by the sea dates from 998. The construction of the present building was promoted by the canon Bernat Llull, who was appointed archdean of Santa Maria in 1324. Construction work started on 25 March 1329, when the foundation stone was laid by king Alfons the Kind, as commemorated by a tablet in Latin and Catalan on the facade that gives onto Fossar de les Moreres. The architects in charge were Berenger de Montagut (designer of the building) and Ramon Despuig, and during the construction all the guilds of the Ribera quarter were involved. The walls, the side chapels and the facades were finished by 1350. In 1379 there was a fire that damaged important parts of the works. Finally, on 3 November 1383 the last stone was added and on 15th August the first mass was celebrated. In 1428 an earthquake caused several casualties and destroyed the rose window in the west end.

The new window, in the Flamboyant style, was finished by 1459 and one year later the glass was added. The images and the Baroque altar were destroyed in a fire in 1936. The chapel of the Blessed Sacrament, adjacent to the apse, was added in the 19th century.

Are you looking for an accommodation near Santa Maria del Mar's church? Click here

Barcelona Cathedral

The Cathedral of Santa Eulàlia (also called La Seu) is the Gothic cathedral seat of the Roman Catholic Archbishop of Barcelona, Catalonia (Though sometimes inaccurately so called, the famous Sagrada Família is not a cathedral). The cathedral was constructed throughout the 13th to 15th centuries on top of a former Visigothic church. The Gothic-like façade is from the 19th century.
The cathedral is dedicated to Eulalia of Barcelona, co-patron saint of Barcelona, a young virgin who, according to Catholic tradition, suffered martyrdom during Roman times in Barcelona.

One story is that she was exposed naked in the public square and a miraculous snow fall in mid spring covered her nudity. The enraged Romans put her into a barrel with knives stuck into it and rolled it down a street (according to tradition, the one now called 'Baixada de Santa Eulalia'). The body of Saint Eulalia is entombed in the cathedral's crypt.

One side chapel is dedicated to "Christ of Lepanto", and contains a cross from a ship that fought at the Battle of Lepanto (1571). The body of the cross is shifted to the right. Catalan legend says that the body swerved to avoid getting hit by a cannonball. This is believed to have been a sign from God that the Ottomans would be defeated.

The cathedral has a secluded Gothic cloister where thirteen white geese are kept (it is said that Eulalia was 13 when she was murdered).

Do you want to go to Barcelona for holidays? To plan your holidays click here.

Business accommodation

Barcelona is a city where you can find a lot of conferences and business meetings all over the year.

The most famous conferences such as Bread & Butter (fashion show), GSM (mobile phone convention)... are located in "la Fira de Barcelona" near the "Plaza España".

If you are looking for a business accommodation, this apartment can accomodate up to 6 or 8 people, indeed it has 3 doble bedrooms and 2 bathrooms and also a sofa bed. The kitchen is fully equiped and gives to the ample living room. The apartment is very well located, in the city center, from there you can easily go to "la Fira de Barcelona" and all Barcelona's conferences.

Do you plan to go to Barcelona for a business trip? Rent a business accommodation

Born

El Born - or just "Born" as it's known in Barcelona is an up-and-coming trendy area with stylish bars, cafés and restaurants that has an atmosphere uniquely its own. El Born is definitely old town architecture but with a "new town" feel and it's this combination that gives this area of Barcelona an irresistible appeal.

Despite humble beginnings as a settlement built on top of a medieval area of jousts and celebrations El Born has grown into being one of the most fashionable places in the city.

Every day the cafes are packed and at night people move along to Passeig de Born, which according to locals was the site of the jousts, to sample the many bars, all of which serve up a mean mojito. Also on Passeig de Born there is claimed to be the best pizza place in Barcelona, and at 1.50 Euros a slice you can’t complain.

Nevertheless El Born isn’t just about the nightlife, there is plenty of culture to be had as well. It can be seen that Calle Montcada was also a medieval street, which is now home to the Picasso museum and the Textile Museum which has a great little café with a terrace attached to it. The textile museum is located here because in Born´s early days it was home to the textile guilds of Barcelona. There is also a beautiful cathedral which you can wander around in, sometimes even when there is a wedding going on!

Nowadays people are attracted to Born for the shopping which consists of some beautiful but pricey boutiques and shoe shops which are great to find that one-off piece. Some of the trendiest shops around such as Brazilian company Colcci have chosen Born as their home.

El Born is sandwiched between Via Laietana and Barceloneta and is served by the metro stops Barceloneta and Jaume 1 which are on the same line. Las Ramblas and the very centre of the city are a pleasant 10 minute walk away.


The beach is also just a 10 minute walk away so you can have both a beach holiday and a city break in one. Plus you are quite close to the Parc Ciutadella which is a relaxing place to sit in the afternoon and watch the hippies play their bongos. The Barcelona zoo is also located in Parc Ciutadella.

As you can see El Born is perfect for families as well as tourists. Renting an apartment can even be cheaper than hotels, and you get all the modern conveniences of home. Noise could sometimes be a problem depending on where you are but it’s not as bad as in the very centre of town. It is a picturesque and cultural part of the city with a vibrant café culture and bar scene.

Budget accommodation

If you are looking for an apartment in Barcelona for holiday but don't want to spend all your money in the rental there is a solution: a budget accommodation.

This apartment situated in the city center, near the famous "Ramblas" and is perfect for small budget and fully equiped. Indeed it is a cosy apartment, with a double bedroom and convertible sofa-bed in the living room, wardrobe, washing machine and kitchen totally equiped.

Booking this type of accommodation not only will make you feel more as a local, also will allow you to walk around the city center without the need of taking public transportation. Most places of interest are within walking distance.

If you are looking for a budget accommodation for your holidays in Barcelona, click here.

Raval

Barcelona's Raval was historically the red-light zone and a slum of Old Barcelona. However, it’s quickly becoming the city’s new “in” area. Numerous bars and clubs frequented by young artists and bohemian types now fill formerly sketchy alleyways. If you’re into an alternative scene, the Barcelona Raval is where it’s at… but it’s still a good idea to keep a close watch on your wallet and pocketbook at night.

A good gateway to Raval tourism from Las Ramblas is the Mercat de la Boqueria. This vibrant modernista market holds all kinds of food stands and tapas bars, and is a great place to simply wander around or stock up.

Just behind the market you'll find the Antic Hospital de la Santa Creu, medieval Barcelona's central hospital, now home to the National Library of Catalunya.

One of the streets that meets the hospital is Carrer dels Angels. It's a straight shoot northwest up to the Plaça dels Angels, home of the neighboring CCCB and MACBA, Barcelona's two main contemporary art and culture centers.

All the way at the southern end of el Raval, about a block west of Las Ramblas, is Palau Güell. Commissioned in the 1880s by Eusebi Guell, this is one of Antoni Gaudí's more subdued works. It's also among the few examples of Catalonia's Art Nouveau style, "modernisme" in the Old City, or "Ciutat Vella."

Young, artsy types and a significant immigrant population have moved in over the past two decades, inaugurating El Raval as the new hip center of Barcelona culture. The plaza in front of the MACBA serves as a makeshift skate park, while vegetarian restaurants, small bars housing art exhibits and intimate concerts and a handful of second-hand stores define El Raval's fomerly seedy landscape.

El Raval is alive all through the day and night so you will never be without an eaterie to entice you in the early hours of the morning!

El Raval offers a central location within walking distance of many of the other popular areas such as the Gothic Quarter and Eixample. The nearest metro stops are on Las Ramblas, Barcelona’s most famous street which runs up one side of El Raval.

Would you like to stay in this area during your holidays in Barcelona? Stay in an apartment overlooking the "Rambla del Raval ". Click here: stay in the Raval

** The International Music Festival, SONAR takes place in the Raval area. Many concerts are held in the "MACBA" and outdoors at the "Rambla del Raval".

Looking for accommodation for the next SONAR Festival in Barcelona?