Day 5 and 6: Barcelona and touring Old Barcelona
Posted By RichC on July 17, 2009
As usual, I’m behind in jotting down a few notes in which to archive our trip and thoughts after a couple of days in Spai
n. We toured the old part of the city of Barcelona (only wide enough streets to walk) and thankfully had our English speaking guide in which to mention several relevant spots along the way. The history is so multi-layered that unless one remembers the history of conquest and rule in Europe, it is challenging to realize the layers of old city melted into old city. Some of the architecture is preserved (thankfully) and can be pointed out. In walking behind and listening to another tour guide, it was curious to be able to look into one of the particular “basement-looking” windows in order to see some existing construction ‘inside’ the Roman city walls.
One of the more beautiful 
points along the tour was a visit to Barcelona Cathedral, which has been undergoing reconstruction for many years. This is our first cathedral during this trip and the sheer size, considering it was built before America was even a country, is truly awe inspiring.
Here are just a couple of the photos from inside the cathedral.
Under the main cathedral is a chapel/burial vault of one of the many Christian martyrs; this one was the vaulto of Eullila, a 12-year-old girl who was tortured and nailed to an “X” for her refusal to deny Christ and bow to the Roman conquerors.
The rest of our day was spent walking the main street in Barcelona – La Rambla.
It is a busy place with both tourists and locals mixing and shopping. For those who enjoy food and cooking, the market in La Boqueria is a hopping place with specialty vendors marketing their wares.
By the end of the day, we were once again tired and set sail for our next port of call, Cannes, France.
Comments