Page 162 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Spain

160  BARCEL ONA

full of short-let holiday flats. jetty. The Moll d’Espanya (moll
Laid out on a grid system with meaning “quay, wharf or pier”)
nar row houses of two or three has a shopping and restaurant
floors, the area has a friendly air. complex, the Maremagnum,
In the small Plaça de la plus an aquarium with an
Barceloneta, is the Baroque underwater tunnel through an
church of Sant Miquel del Port, enormous shark-filled tank.
also by Cermeño. The large The Moll de la Fusta (Timber
central square is dominated by a Wharf), with terrace cafés, has
contemporary covered market. red structures inspired by van
Today, the remnants of Gogh’s painting of the bridge
Barceloneta’s fishing fleet are at Arles. At the end of the
based in the nearby industrial wharf stands El Cap de Barcelona
docks by a small clock tower. (Barcelona Head), a 20-m
On the opposite side of this (66-ft) sculpture by Pop artist
harbour is the Torre de Sant Roy Lichtenstein.
Smart boats and the twin skyscrapers at Sebastià, terminus of the cable
the Port Olímpic car that runs across the port, j Monument a
via the World Trade Centre,
f Port Olímpic to Montjuïc. Ricardo Bofill’s Colom
sail-shaped Hotel W is a land-
Map 6 F4.  Ciutadella-Vila Olímpica. Plaça del Portal de la Pau. Map 2 F4.
mark on Barceloneta beach. Tel 93 302 52 24.  Drassanes. Open
The most dramatic rebuilding 9am–8:30pm daily (to 7:30pm Oct–
for the 1992 Olympics was the Feb). Closed 1 & 6 Jan, 25 & 26 Dec. &
demolition of the old industrial h Port Vell
waterfront and the laying out of Map 5 B4.  Barceloneta, Drassanes The Columbus Monument in
4 km (2 miles) of promenade and Aquàrium: Tel 93 221 74 74. the Portal de la Pau (the “Gate
pristine sandy beaches. Suddenly Open Jun & Sep: 9:30am–9:30pm of Peace”) was designed by
Barcelona seemed like a seaside daily; Jul–Aug: 9:30am–11pm daily; Gaietà Buigas for the 1888
resort. At the heart of the project Oct–May: 9:30am–9pm Mon–Fri, Universal Exhibition.
was a 0.6 sq km (¼ sq mile) new 9:30am–9:30pm Sat, Sun & public hols. The 60-m (200-ft) cast-iron
estate of 2,000 apartments and & 7 0 ∑ aquariumbcn.com monument marks the spot
parks called Nova Icària. The where Columbus stepped
area is still popularly known The city’s leisure port is at the foot ashore in 1493 after discover ing
as the Vila Olímpica because of La Rambla, just beyond the old America, bringing with him
the buildings originally customs house. This was built in six Caribbean Indians. He was
housed the Olympic athletes. 1902 at the Portal de la Pau, the accorded a state welcome by
On the seafront there are for mer maritime entrance to the the Catholic Monarchs in the
twin 44-floor blocks, two of city, where steps lead into the Saló del Tinell (see p150).
Barcelona’s tallest skyscrapers, water. To the south, the Moll de The Indians’ conversion to
one occu pied by offices and the Barcelona, with a World Trade Christianity is commemorated
other by the Hotel Arts (see p565). Centre, serves as the passenger in the cathedral (see pp152–3).
They stand beside a bustling pier for visiting cruise ships. In There is a very small viewing
marina, which was also built for front of the customs house, La platform at the top of the
1992. The marina is the setting Rambla is linked to the yacht monument, where a 7-m
for several restaurants and bars. clubs on the Moll d’Espanya by (24-ft) bronze statue of
a swing bridge and pedestrian Columbus points out to sea.
g Barceloneta
Map 5 B5.  Barceloneta.
Barcelona’s fishing “village”, which
lies on a triangular tongue of land
jutting into the sea just below the
city centre, is known for its fish
res taurants and port-side cafés.
Barceloneta was built by the
architect and military engineer
Juan Martín de Cermeño in 1753
to rehouse people made home-
less by the construction of the
Ciutadella fortress (see pp158–9).
Since then it has housed largely
workers and fishermen. It is now Fishing boat moored at the quayside of Barceloneta
For hotels and restaurants in this area see pp564–5 and pp586–8

160-161_EW_Spain.indd 160 26/09/17 11:00 am
Eyewitness Travel LAYERS PRINTED:
Catalogue template “UK” LAYER
(Source v2.1)
Date 5th December 2012
Size 125mm x 217mm