Get A Closer Look At Barcelona's Famous Barrios

By Birte Tran

It's widely known that Barcelona is one of the admired cities of the Earth that continually attracts thousands of guests every year. This is predominantly credited to its position along the Mediterranean and stunning design. However, one small part of Barcelona that infrequently goes unnoticed is its neighbourhoods or alluded to in Spanish 'barrios'. Here you'll find out a little about Barcelona's barrios.

Barrio Gotic is a Roman wall once defended this quarter, the hexagon-shaped heart of Barcelona. With its menacing tangle of small old streets and alleyways, the area is like Venice without canals. By day, the approaching--th-century Gothic cathedral lures a steady stream of visitors, but come sundown, they head for Plaza Reial, where, it is believed, Ferdinand and Isabella greeted Columbus after his maiden voyage to America.

Paradoxically, the square, filled with towering palm trees and Gaudi-designed lampposts, is often the 1st place that visiting Americans discover. Gold-painted human 'statues' provide free dinner theater at the countless outdoor cafes.

El Raval In the'30's, a considerably less good kind of entertainment drew crowds to El Raval, west of the Barri Gotic. The location for petty crime, brothels, and drag clubs, it seemed to be a cross between the Moulin Rouge and the pre-Giuliani Times Square. Though cleand in recent times, the streets round the port are still frequented by transvestites and thieves late. But as shops and cafs continue to open, El Raval appears poised to become the town's hottest district.

La Ribera In the district north of the Barri Gotic there's an range of medieval palaces, 5 of which house the Museu Picasso. As the provoking houses and their courtyards suggest, La Ribera was once-during its golden period in the 12th century-considered an A-list address. Ribera means 'waterfront,' and although the particular coast has long since disappeared, the area is still an urban oasis, thanks to the grand Parc de la Ciutadella-miles of grassy paths, a lake with rowboats for rental, and a zoo inhabited by Snowflake, a rare albino ape.

El Born The name of Barcelona's liveliest neighbourhood, east of La Ribera, meant 'joust' back in the Middle Ages, but the sole jousting that happens here now is between fevered shopaholics who elbow each other while brushing the racks at the tiny boutiques. Barcelona's answer to SoHo, the ancient town's original marketplace is once more abuzz with art galleries, hair salons, and cool bars. All of the shiny firms appear unimportant in comparison, though, with the stained-glass rose window of the Gothic church Santa Maria del Mar. Barceloneta formerly a fishermen's hamlet, the area south of El Born was transformed for the'92 Olympic Games and has become the address of choice, as well as a center for seafood restaurants.

Diagonal Mar Next in the summer of 2004 played host to Forum Barcelona, a gathering of worldwide minded designers, politicians, artists, and urban planners. Almost 150 days of events relating to such themes as cultural diversity and world peace are lined up to occur in the northeast end of the town near the Bess stream. In the works: an esplanade, a convention center, and extra beachfront and parkland, as well as skyscrapers and hostels.

So get out there and see Barcelona's fantastic and unique barrio's that has something different for everyone. - 29948

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