Page 303 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Europe

BARCEL ONA  301

5 Museu Picasso
Carrer Montcada 15–23. Tel 93-256 30
00. q Jaume I. Open 9am–7pm Tue–
Sun (to 9:30pm Thu). Closed Jan 1,
May 1, Jun 24, Dec 25 & 26. & (free
Sun pm & first Sun of month). 8 7
∑ museupicasso.bcn.es
One of Barcelona’s most popular
attractions, the Picasso Museum
is housed in five adjoining
palaces on the Carrer Montcada.
It was founded in 1963,
displaying works donated by
Jaime Sabartes, a great friend of
Picasso. Later, Picasso himself
donated paintings, including
some graphic works left in his
will. Several ceramic pieces
were given to the museum
by his widow, Jacqueline.
The strength of the 3,000-
piece collection is Picasso’s early The rippled facade of Gaudí’s Casa Milà “La Pedrera” in the Quadrat d’Or
drawings and paintings, such as
The First Communion (1896), parks called Nova Icària. The roof is covered in iridescent tiles
produced when he was still an area is still popularly known which recall the dragon’s scaly
adolescent. The most famous as the Vila Olímpica because back. It is the centrepiece of a
work on show is the series Las the buildings once housed trio of neighbouring mansions,
Meninas, based on Velázquez’s Olympic athletes. each designed by a leading
1656 masterpiece (see p280). On the seafront there are Modernista architect: the Casa
twin 44-floor towers – Spain’s Amatller was designed by Puig i
tallest skyscrapers. They stand Cadafalch and the Casa Lleo i
beside the Port Olímpic, also Morera was created by
built for the Olympics. Two Domènech i Montaner. Both are
levels of restaurants, stores, open for guided visits. Across
and nightclubs around the the Passeig de Gràcia is another
marina attract business people of Gaudí’s remarkable creations,
at lunchtimes and pleasure the Casa Milà, or La Pedrera,
seekers at weekends. which has a creamy, rippling
façade and is topped with a
terrace offering superb views.
7 Sagrada Família
P Casa Milà/La Pedrera
See pp302–3.
Passeig de Gràcia, 92. Tel 902 202 138
Open 9am–8:30pm (to 6:30pm mid-
Nov to mid-Feb). Closed 25 Dec &
8 Casa Batlló 11–17 Jan.
q Passeig de Gracia. Tel 93 216 0306
Open daily 9am–9pm (last adm
Yachts in the marina at the Port Olímpic, 8pm). 7
overlooked by skyscrapers
The Passeig de Gràcia is
6 Vila Olímpica Barcelona’s most elegant avenue,
and home to top fashion
q Ciutadella-Vila Olímpica.
boutiques and emblematic
The most dramatic rebuilding Modernista buildings. The most
for the 1992 Olympics was the original of these is the Casa
demolition of the old industrial Batlló, a fantastical mansion
waterfront and the laying out designed by Gaudí and
of 4 km (2 miles) of promenade completed in1906. Covered in
and pristine sandy beaches. shimmering mosaics, its design
Suddenly Barcelona seemed is said to have been inspired by
like a seaside resort, with a new the legend of St George (Sant
estate of 2,000 apartments and Jordi in Catalan), and the curving The opulent interior of the Casa Batllo

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