✌️Barcelona is beautiful. This is a city where you can fall in love at first sight, visit them many times, and discover new things every time. It delights with its climate, smiling people and monuments. It is not without reason that it is one of the most visited cities in the world.

You must come here and see it with your own eyes!

I went there in January. In Poland it was a moment of frost, snow and low temperature. In Spain, the sun, a cloudless sky and a friendly temperature awaited me.

I have prepared for you a list of five places that you must visit during your stay.

1. Sagrada Familia

I will not break up. The number one must be the greatest work of Antoni Gaudí, a genius designer and engineer, whose works in the city are many.

Sagrada Familia is under construction since 1882.

In Gaudí's premise, the structure itself was supposed to resemble one large organism. Due to the organic form of the building and the uniqueness of architectural details (as in nature none of them is identical and must be sculpted separately), it has not been completed to this day. It is planned that this will happen in the years 2026-2028.

The basilica is overwhelming. It makes an electrifying impression. Standing on a hill in Park Güell definitely dominates over other buildings.

The interior stained glass windows also make an amazing impression!

Gaudí died in 1926, hit by a tram, earlier he devoted this construction to more than 40 years of his life. He was buried in a crypt inside the Sagrada Familia.

After the architect's death, several architects took over to complete the construction. Since some of the projects were destroyed during the Spanish Civil War in 1936, the final appearance of the building is not precisely specified, the last notes contained more or less information that the church should accommodate 13,000 people, and the building is supposed to have 18 towers, 4 of each facades representing 12 apostles. The other 4 towers representing 4 evangelists, the last two dedicated to Jesus Christ and the Virgin Mary.

The Sagrada Familia has been designed so as not to exceed 173 meters above sea level, because this is the height of the Montjuic mountain in Barcelona. Gaudí believed that a natural, God-created mountain should dominate the city, therefore, according to Gaudí's wish, the Tower of Jesus Christ will be slightly lower than the Barcelona hill, while on its top there will be a cross.

I recommend a visit, definitely worth it!

2. Park Güell

Another of Gaudí's great Barcelona works. Full of magic and despite its small size, full of amazing solutions and secrets.

Initially, the Park was to be only an addition to a modern housing estate. Plans, however, were abandoned, the project was not implemented, and the result was only the Park.

Most attractions can be found in the closed part of the park, the order of sightseeing depends on the entrance to which we will go. The entrances are four or two at the top of the park, from which we will go straight to the observation deck, considered by the locals as the longest bench in the world.

From the terrace there is a beautiful view of the city!

From the gate to the terrace there are stairs leading to the famous Salamander and a beautiful installation imitating the cave. You must necessarily take a photo with Salamander! This is one of the symbols of the city.

3. La Rambla and La Barceloneta

Places more to walk and enjoy the views. La Rambla - the main artery of Barcelona. Wide, with lots of tourists, sellers and cafes. "Rambla" simply means "alley". It is vibrant with life at any time of the day or night.

La Barceloneta - youth, seaside district. With a beautiful promenade and port. It is impossible not to go to the most famous beach of the same name.

Palms is what many people like the most. Add the sun and smile to your face!

4. Parc de la Ciutadella and Arc de Triomf

Parc de la Ciutadella is one of the largest parks you can see in Barcelona. Interestingly, the site includes the Catalan Parliament, as well as the ZOO, famous for the only one in the world held in captivity the albino gorilla. All this surrounded by amazing greenery and beautiful vegetation. During the day there are many people here, but at the same time you can see how the life of the ordinary inhabitants of the city looks like, who come to this place in great numbers.

In the park you will come across a huge elephant figure.

Nearby is Arc de Triomf or Arc de Triomphe, built in 1888 on the occasion of the world exhibition that was then organized in Barcelona. It was the "entrance" to the entire exhibition. It will lead us to a beautiful, wide, walking alley. Elegance and neighborhood with amazing tenements makes a great impression. On both sides of the whole promenade there are palm trees, which are certainly the most beautiful trees in the whole city.

5. Casa Milà and Casa Batlló

Can not guess who designed these buildings? Yes, yes! Nobody else like Gaudi. Casa Milá was supposed to be a response to the lack of interesting buildings in the city. Due to its appearance (the building looks like a huge rock block), the Barcelonians call it La Pedrera, which means the Quarry. Casa Milà has not been finalized due to closures with the investor. Nevertheless, it is widely regarded as the most complete work of Gaudí, in which he fully applied the fruits of his experience.

In the close neighborhood there is the second of the extravagant buildings - Casa Batlló.

Like most buildings designed by Gaudi, Casa Batlló is saturated with symbolism referring to Catalan nationality. It is believed that the shape of the building reflects the legendary struggle of Saint. George (patron of Catalonia) with a dragon. This is best reflected in the roof, covered with tiles that resembles a reptile shell. The white, cylindrical turret symbolizes the holy sword stuck in the dragon's body. A big mystery when it comes to the allegorical character of the building are the balconies. The designer's intention may symbolize skulls, along with bone-shaped pillars in other parts of the façade that are remains belonging to the victims of the beast.

These are just a few of the many attractions that await you in Barcelona - Gaudi's city. If you have not been there yet, you must make up for it!

Don't forget to drink sangria and eat paella!

@lashotta