A walk around Port Vell

There is a very impressive statue of Christopher  Columbus  near the waterfront. It was constructed in 1888 for the World Exposition held in Barcelona. It was to commemorate Columbus’s 1492 voyage to the Americas which took ten weeks. On his return he reported to Queen Isabella 1st and King Frederick V in Barcelona.   Also there was an amazing number of mega yachts moored in Port Vell - probably most registered in the Bahamas.

Maritime Museum

The reproduction of the building of a royal ship galley was the most interesting part of this museum.

This was a model

Here is the bow of the full scale reproduction

Here is the stern

 

Montserrat

My guide Suzie recommended visiting Monestir de Montserrat ("Serrated Mountain"). This was partly because I had told her of my love for choral singing. There is singing by a boys choir at 1 pm each day in the Cathedral. The highest peak is at 1,236 Meters (4,055 feet). It is Catalonia’s holiest place. The Monastry was founded in the 11th century but was destroyed in 1811 when the French attacked Catalonia in the War of Independence. It was rebuilt in 1844 and "was a beacon of Catalan culture during the Franco years". To-day Benedictine monks live there. It is just over an hour on the Metro from Barcelona and then you can ascend in a cable car to the Monastry. The church is magnificent and with about 1000 other people it was a pleasure to hear the boys choir sing their daily 15 minute performance. It was a very cold day (probably 6-8C) at the Monastry so without sufficient warm clothes I did not venture out on several walks from the top. However there is a museum with a display of many Catalan artists as well as work by Picasso, the Impressionists and Salvador Dali. There was a very helpful audio tour.

A Mass at the Cathedral of Barcelona

I managed to find that there was a Choral Eucharist at the Cathedral of Barcelona on Sunday morning at 10.30.The Cathedral has a Neo-Gothic (also known as French Flamboyant or "flame like") facade. It is obvious that Gaudi obtained some of his inspiration for the design of the Sagrada Familia. There are resident geese in the cloisters. There was an excellent small choir. It was interesting to hear the traditional Roman Catholic Mass the day after listening to Bernstein’s inspiring Mass composed in 1971. 

Leonard Bernstein’s Mass

I always look for a concert or opera that may be being performed when visiting a large city. Leonard Bernstein composed his mass in 1971 at the request of Jaqueline Kennedy for the opening of the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in 1971. Bernstein was Jewish but the Kennedy family were Catholic. The Mass is based on the Roman Catholic mass. However Bernstein collaborated with Stephen Schwartz (Godspell) in composing the mass. It is a remarkable piece of music that combines sacred music with Musical Theatre. Some parts sound a little like West Side Story. There was a lot of reaction to it when it was first performed particularly from the Catholic Church. However in 2000 Pope Paul requested a performance at the Vatican. Last evening it was performed by a large symphony orchestra (known as the Symphony Orchestra of Barcelona and the Catalonia National Orchestra), three choirs (A choral society, a musical theatre group and a children’s choir). For those wishing to read more about the Mass it can be found at Leonard Bernstein.  You have to search for the Mass amongst his combinations on this web site that appears to have been put together to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Bernstein’s birth.

A Gaudi Tour of Barcelona (4)

We visited the Gaudi museum under Sagrada Familia then took the metro and a bus to Park Guell. In about 1900 Eusebi Guell entrusted Gaudi the plan to create an estate for well-off families in a large property that Guell had acquired in the zone know popularly as the Montana Pelada (bare mountain). It’s location was unbeatable, in a healthy setting with splendid views over the sea and the Plain of Barcelona. In fact only three residences were built - one for Guell, one for Guell’s lawyer and one for Gaudi. It reminded me of many real estate developments that are started by entrepreneurs but fail before completion. However the attraction here is Gaudi’s remarkable designs.
There was a great view of Barcelona and the coast from the park. I was very greatfull to Suzie for a fascinating day.

A Gaudi tour of Barcelona (3)

Gaudi was first signed up to design the Sagrada Familia in 1883 and worked on it for 43 years until he died in 1926. He was killed in an accident in 1926. At that time the building was about 20% finished. The work stopped during the Spanish Civil war (1936-1939). Now there is still much work to be done - particularly to build the central tower. It is hoped that it will be finished by 2016 - the centenary of Gaudi’s death. Here are a few pictures of the inside. I was happy to sit in silence to absorb the experience of being there and listening to a version of Ave Maria that was being sung.

A Gaudi tour of Barcelona (2)

Sagrada Familia is Antoni Gaudi’s most famous and awe-inspiring work. It is an un-finished, super-sized church. With its cake-in-the rain facade and other-worldly spires, the church is an icon of Barcelona and its trademark Modernist style. Having seen many pictures of Sagrada Familia there is nothing like being there to appreciate the building. It is quite an experience. My guide pointed out the many details and the themes from the classics, nature and religion. Here is a first selection of pictures.