12 days in Spain & 4 days in Paris- 9/12/14- 9/9/28/14

Day 1

Day 2

Day 3

 

Barcelona- Day 2 - Joan Miro Park

Joan Miró park was built to pay homage to one of Barcelona's favorite native sons Joan Miró, a surrealist painter and sculptor. The park's centerpiece is a large colorful sculpture known as Dona i Ocell (Woman and bird).

The colorful statue stands about twenty-two meters (70 feet) tall and sits on a simple island in the middle of a small pool. As is common in Miró's works, the sculpture is covered with glazed ceramic tiles in bright, basic colors of yellow, red, and blue. The sculpture was complete in 1982, just a year before Miró's death at age ninety.

Close look at the Dona i Ocell sculpture.

Miró's sense of humor is evident and if the sculpture seems phallic, keep in mind that the Catalan word for "bird" is also a slang for "penis".  Now that you know the meaning of the slang word for Ocell, take a look at the sculpture what do you really see?

In the background you get a glimpse at the Las Arenas (more details below)

Parc de Joan Miró view from Las Arena mall

This location used to be a slaughterhouse. Because of that, it was originally named Parc de l'Escorxador (Slaughterhouse park).
Covering four city blocks, this expansive park consists of two levels. The lower level is landscaped with pine, palm, fragrant eucalyptus trees and a pergola covered in wisteria and bougainvillea. The upper level is paved and contains the park's crowning glory, one of Joan Miró's last sculptures, entitled Dona i Ocell (Woman and Bird).

View of the park from the rooftop of Las Arenas

Las Arenas (Bullring Mall)

Las Arenas used to be a bullfighting arena from 1900 to 1977 it was closed for decades and in 2011 it was re-opened as a shopping mall.

 Now Las Arenas is a modern, state-of-the-art complex boasting over 60 commercial stores, including fashion stores, cafes, restaurants and bars.

 

However they retained and refurbished the original and striking Mudejar façade and brought it back as it was originally built in 1898.

 

Las Arenas now has six floors of shops, with convenient parking spread over four floors. Highlights are a twelve-screen cinema, Arenas Multicines, Barcelona Rock Museum and a rooftop cupola.   The mall is open from Monday to Saturday, from 10:00 AM to 10:00PM.

 

View of the mall from the top.

 

We are now on the rooftop admiring the view of the city.

The rooftop has spectacular panoramic views of the city.

In the back is the Museum Nacional d'Art de Catalunya  (National Catalan Art Museum).

Closer look of The National Catalan Art Museum from the rooftop.

 

 

The rooftop are designed for Cafes, Bars and restaurants on the rooftop are open until 1:00AM

 

There are lots of restaurants on the rooftop.

 

 

 On the left you can see Montjuïc (mohn-jew-EEK) meaning: Mount of the Jews.

 

The top of the hill (a height of 184,8 m) was the site of several military buildings designed for the defense on territories including Montjuïc Castle.  Built on top of Montjuïc hill, Montjuïc Castle is an old military fortress, with roots dating back from 1640, currently serving as a Barcelona municipal facility.

More view of the city...

 

The Olympic Stadium stands next to the Olympic Gallery, which tells the story of the 1992 Olympics with interesting artifacts. Next to the Gallery is the amazing Palau de Sant Jordi, Arata Isozaki's futuristic indoor exhibition hall, which has big concerts all year round.

 

The Avenue of the Americas from Plaça d'Espanya

1929 World expo fairground view from the rooftop.

 

We are now walking toward the 1929 world expo fairground.  I am looking back at Las Arenas.

View from the rooftop of Playa de Catalunya, a large square in central Barcelona.

At the center of the Plaça d'Espanya a fountain was built, designed by Josep Maria Jujol. Its ornate decoration is an allegory of Spain, surrounded by water.

Around the central sculpture, three decorated columns symbolize Religion, Heroism, and Arts.

 

We are getting closer to the 1929 world expo fairground.

Our goal is walk up to the National Catalan Art Museum on top of the hill.

 

Another Music festival located at the entrance of the 1929 World expo Fairgrounds. They are getting ready to blast music later in the evening.

 

Next.. Day 2- Montjuic

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