Travel Guide Barcelona - Catalonia's proud capital
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Travel Guide
Barcelona
Catalonia’s proud capital
02 Quick view 05 Getting around Barcelona 09 Calendar of events
02 Spain 05 Top 10 sights 12 Hotels
04 Travel etiquette 07 Shopping in Barcelona 12 Crew Tip
04 Health 08 Restaurants 13 Best of ...
05 Phone calls & Internet 09 Nightlife
© Getty Images
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Quick view
Barcelona: Catalonia's proud capital
The only city of its size on the Mediterranean, Barcelona really has it all. Golden
beaches, terrific weather, mountains and a history dating back to the ancient third-
century settlement of Barcino, it’s also the capital of Catalonia. As such, it has a
proud and independent spirit, with a formidable cultural heritage including Catalan
Gothic buildings from the Middle Ages, and the modernist architecture of the late
19th and early 20th centuries –
typified by the work of Barcelona’s favourite son, Antoni Gaudí.
His most iconic building, the unfinished La Sagrada Família, epitomises the city:
courageous, imaginative and without its like. Add some of Spain’s best museums
and Barcelona’s world-famous cuisine, and you have the ultimate European city
break destination.
Spain
General Information
Country overview
Spain is one of the most popular holiday destinations in Europe. Endless beaches,
brilliant sunshine and azure waters draw beach lovers to the Mediterranean coast,
and the Balearic and Canary Islands. But visitors also flock to see the historical
architecture of cities such as Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia, Leon, Seville and
Segovia.
If you want to experience the real Spain, don’t go to bed too early. In these parts,
people stroll the city squares and dine out late into the night.
Geography
Spain accounts for roughly four-fifths of the Iberian Peninsula, with Portugal,
Andorra and Gibraltar occupying the remainder. In the northeast, the Pyrenees
form a natural frontier to France. The state territory also encompasses the Balearic
Islands (Mallorca, Menorca, Ibiza and Formentera) located southeast of Barcelona,
in the Mediterranean, and the Canary Islands off the west coast of Africa. Ceuta,
Chafarinas, Melilla and Ladu are tiny Spanish exclaves in North Africa, relics of the
former Spanish Empire.
Spain is a mountainous country. The Pyrenees extend for 400 kilometers from the
Basque Country in the northwest to the Mediterranean. Some peaks rise more than
3000 meters above sea level; the highest elevation here is the Pico de Aneto at
3404 meters above sea level. The country’s interior consists of a vast plateau, the
Meseta, which is intersected by a number of mountain ranges.
In the north and northwest, the Meseta is bordered by the Cantabrian Mountains
and the Iberian Mountains, and in the South by the Sierra Morena, beyond which
lies the Guadalquivir Valley. Galicia’s mountainous landscape runs along the
jagged Atlantic coast. The extreme south is also mountainous; the Sierra Nevada
southeast of Granada belongs to the Betic Cordilleras, which run parallel to the
Mediterranean and include the highest mountain on the Spanish mainland, the
Mulhacén (3481 meters above sea level). The highest elevation on Spanish
territory is the Pico del Teide (3718 meters above sea level) on Tenerife.
Spain has just under 5000 kilometers of coastline. The Mediterranean coast
extends from the French border to the Rock of Gibraltar. The Strait of Gibraltar
connects the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean and divides Spain from
North Africa.
General Information
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Key facts
Population: 46.33 million (2017)
Capital: Madrid.
Language
The official language is Spanish (Castellano, Castilian). In the Autonomous
Communities of the Basque region, Galicia, Catalonia, Valencia, Navarra and the
Balearic Islands, the relevant regional languages are also used as second official
languages according to the Statutes of Autonomy. In tourist areas, English and
German are commonly spoken foreign languages.
Electricity
220 V, 50 Hz (sometimes 110/125 V in older buildings in smaller places)
Currency
1 euro = 100 cents
Currency sign/abbreviation: €, EUR (ISO code). Banknotes are available in the
values 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200 and 500 euros, coins, in the nominal values 1 and 2
euros, as well as 1, 2, 5, 10, 20 and 50 cents.
Public holidays
Listed below are the public holidays for the period January 2020 to December
2021.
Please note
a) several regional public holidays also exist.
b) it is usual for public holidays, which fall on a Sunday, to be substituted by work-
free days on subsequent weekdays.
* not in all parts of the country
2020
Año Nuevo (New Year’s): 1 January 2020
Epifanía (Epiphany): 6 January 2020
Día de San José (St. Joseph’s Day): 19 March 2020*
Jueves Santo (Maundy Thursday): 9 April 2020*
Viernes Santo (Good Friday): 10 April 2020
Domingo de Resurrección (Easter Sunday): 12 April 2020
Día del Trabajo (Labor Day): 1 May 2020
Asunción de la Virgen (Assumption Day): 15 August 2020
Fiesta Nacional de España (Spanish National Day): 12 October 2020
Fiesta de Todos los Santos (All Saints’ Day): 1 and 2 November 2020*
Día de la Constitución (Constitution Day): 6 December 2020
La Inmaculada (Feast of the Immaculate Conception): 8 December 2020
Navidad (Christmas): 25 December 2020
2021
Año Nuevo (New Year’s): 1 January 2021
Epifanía (Epiphany): 6 January 2021
Día de San José (St. Joseph’s Day): 19 March 2021*
Jueves Santo (Maundy Thursday): 1 April 2021*
Viernes Santo (Good Friday): 2 April 2021
Domingo de Resurrección (Easter Sunday): 4 April 2021
Día del Trabajo (Labor Day): 1 May 2021
Asunción de la Virgen (Assumption Day): 15 August 2021
Fiesta Nacional de España (Spanish National Day): 12 October 2021
Fiesta de Todos los Santos (All Saints’ Day): 1 and 2 November 2021*
Día de la Constitución (Constitution Day): 6 December 2021
La Inmaculada (Feast of the Immaculate Conception): 8 December 2021
Navidad (Christmas): 25 December 2021
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All information subject to change.
Travel etiquette
How to fit in
Social Conventions
It is polite in Spain to shake hands in greeting. The usual courtesies should be
observed. If you are invited to someone’s home, your host will appreciate a small
gift. Flowers are given only on special occasions.
Clothing
Casual dress is appropriate almost everywhere, although some hotels and
restaurants require men to wear a jacket and tie; evening dress is only required for
particularly formal occasions. Swimwear belongs without exception on the beach.
Smoking
A smoking ban applies in all public institutions, on public transportation, in
telephone booths and in rooms containing ATMs, as well as in children’s
playgrounds and schoolyards. The smoking ban also applies to all bars, cafés and
restaurants. Smoking areas inside bars and restaurants are no longer permitted.
Tipping
Tips are generally included in hotel and restaurant bills. It is nevertheless usual to
leave a small tip for the service staff. Porters receive a small sum per item of
luggage. The usual amount tipped in restaurants is between 10 and 15 percent.
When the waiter brings your change, you leave some as the tip. It is considered
extremely rude, however, to leave two- or five-cent pieces. When tipping your taxi
driver, simply round up the fare.
Health
Health
Emergency telephone number: 112
Lyme disease, TBE (tick-borne encephalitis) and leishmaniosis are all diseases
which are passed on by ticks and mosquitoes and also occur in Spain. Clothing
that covers the skin and insect repellents provide protection.
Hepatitis A and hepatitis B occur all over Spain. A hepatitis A vaccination is
generally recommended. Visitors planning an extended stay and close contact
with the local population, and generally with children and young people, should
also have a hepatitis B vaccination.
Measles and whooping cough occur in Spain. Before traveling to Spain, visitors
should definitely check whether their vaccinations are up to date and if necessary,
get a booster shot.
Epidemic outbreaks of meningococcal meningitis occur in Spain. Visitors should
seek protection by getting a vaccination and avoiding large crowds. Children and
young people, in particular, should be vaccinated. According to the latest
recommendations, the vaccination applies as required travel vaccination for
extended stays for certain groups of people (teenagers, school and university
students). Visitors should consult their physician regarding the need for
vaccination in the light of recommendations in the country of destination.
Contractual physician of Lufthansa
Dr. Günther, Kurt
Clinica Diagonal
C/Sant Mateu 24-26
08950 – Esplugnes d. LI Barcelona
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Spain
Tel. +34-93-2053213
Please note that Lufthansa accepts no responsibility for the treatment nor will it
bear the cost of any treatment.
Phone calls & Internet
Phone calls & Internet
Telephone
Country code: +34
Mobile telephony and Internet
Since June 2017, EU citizens traveling within the EU, and also in Iceland, Norway
and Liechtenstein have been able to use their cell phones and surf the Net without
incurring any extra charges: In other words, customers pay the same price for
phone calls, text messages and data volume as they do at home. Restrictions do
apply to the constant use of SIM cards abroad, however, and caps may be set on
data packages.
For full details, contact your mobile telephony provider in your country. Travelers
using a SIM card from a non-EU state do not benefit from the new arrangement.
Free Internet access via Wi-Fi is possible in many busy tourist spots. When using
public Wi-Fi networks, it is a wise precaution to ensure encryption of all
passwords, credit card details and banking TANs entered. Use of a VPN app or
security software to check the safety of a hotspot is recommended.
Getting around Barcelona
Getting around
Public Transport
Barcelona’s superb public transport system is operated by TMB (www.tmb.cat/es).
The integrated ticketing system covers the metro, bus, tram and railway, with
tickets available from metro stations, tram stops and some kiosks. There are many
different types of passes for single, one, two or three-day tickets, as well as the
T10, valid for 10 journeys.
Taxis
No matter the time nor place, you won’t have any problem hailing a taxi in
Barcelona. There are also lanes reserved for taxis and buses so you don’t get
stuck in traffic. If you want to be extra sure, book over the phone or internet 24
hours a day with Radio Taxi Barcelona (tel: 902 222 111;
www.radiotaxibarcelona.com).
Top 10 sights
Top 10 sights in Barcelona
Sagrada Família
Only part-finished on Gaudí’s death in 1926, Sagrada Família has been a work in
progress ever since. Whether the 18 towers will ever be complete is part of its
allure, but the fantastical spires and ornately sculpted stone already make it
Europe’s most unique church.
Carrer de Mallorca 401 Opening times:
08013 Barcelona Daily 0900-2000
Spain
Tel: 93 198 0705 www.sagradafamilia.cat
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Catedral de Barcelona (La Seu)
With a suitably Gothic-looking exterior for a church originally built between 1298
and 1450, the cathedral’s facade was in fact not finished until a century ago. Dark
and mysterious inside, it is richly decorated with sculptures and reliefs.
Plaça de la Seu Opening times:
08002 Barcelona Daily 0800-1930
Spain
Tel: 93 342 8262 www.catedralbcn.org
Casa Milà (La Pedrera)
Much loathed by neighbours when it was built in 1910, the surreal building of
melting stone is one of Gaudí's most impressive. Don’t miss the chimney
sculptures on the roof.
Carrer Provença 261-265 Opening times:
08008 Barcelona Daily 0900-2000 (Mar-Oct)
Spain 0900-1830 (Nov-Feb)
Tel: 902 202 138
www.lapedrera.com/es
Casa Batlló
Modernism meets fantasy with this mind-bending Gaudí creation built in 1906. The
scaly tiles and colourful stone spine of the roof give the impression that the
amorphous building is a living, breathing creature.
Passeig de Gràcia 43 Opening times:
08007 Barcelona Daily 0900-2100
Spain
Tel: 93 216 0306 www.casabatllo.es
Plaça Catalunya
The most important square in Barcelona is where the Old Town and modern
Eixample District converge. Its handsome fountains, immaculate garden and
statues make it a popular stop.
Plaça Catalunya
08002 Barcelona
Spain
Park Güell
A wonderland of brightly coloured mosaics and dreamlike stone lizards set upon
Greek columns, the park designed by Gaudí for his patron, Count Eusebi Güell, is
one of Barcelona’s must-sees.
Carrer d’Olot Opening times:
Barcelona Daily 0800-2100 (May-Oct)
Spain 0830-1800 (Nov-Mar)
Tel: 902 200 302 0800-2000 (Apr)
www.parkguell.cat
Basílica de Santa Maria del Mar
Built in the 14th century, this breathtaking church is the only surviving example of
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the Catalan Gothic style with original stained glass and medieval tombs.
Plaça de Santa Maria 1 Opening times:
08003 Barcelona Mon-Sat 0900-1330 and 1630-2000
Spain Sun 1030-1330 and 1630-2000
Tel: 93 310 2390
www.barcelonaturisme.com/Santa-Mari
a-del-Mar
MNAC and Montjuïc
Amongst the highlights of the seafront mountain of Montjuïc is Catalonia’s National
Museum of Art (MNAC) featuring an expensive collection of 19th and 20th-century
works. The highlight is the Romanesque section of frescoes and altarpieces
rescued from crumbling Catalan churches.
Palau Nacional, Parc de Montjuïc Opening times:
08038 Barcelona Tue-Sat 1000-2000
Spain Sun 1000-1500 (May-Sep)
Tel: 93 622 0360 Tue-Sat 1000-1800
Sun 1000-1500 (Oct-Apr)
www.museunacional.cat/ca
Tibidabo
Topped by a 20th-century neo-Gothic church, the mountain of Tibidabo offers
views of the whole city, including Sir Norman Foster’s Torre de Collserola.
Plaça Tibidabo, 3-4 Opening times:
08035 Barcelona Daily from noon
Spain (closing times vary; see website for
Tel: 93 211 7942 details)
www.tibidabo.cat
Camp Nou
Securing tickets for El Clásico – the fabled contest between Barcelona and Real
Madrid – may be tricky, but just walking into this enormous football stadium is
worth it.
Carrer d’Arístides Maillol Opening times:
08028 Barcelona Daily 1000-1800
Spain
Tel: 902 189 900 www.fcbarcelona.co.idhttps//www.fcbar
celona....
Shopping in Barcelona
Shopping in Barcelona
Key Areas
Designer shops and high-street brands are clustered around the golden highway
that is Passeig de Gràcia, one of Barcelona’s main streets. Important modernist
architecture hosts the likes of Armani and Chanel.
Markets
Near the Sant Antoni metro station, Mercat de Sant Antoni is a flea market taking
place every Sunday morning. It’s full of old records, music and film posters,
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second-hand books, and lots of kids perusing the comic book stands and making
football card swaps.
Els Encants is another market next to Glòries metro, with second-hand clothes and
antiques (open Mon, Wed, Fri, Sat). Finally, El Mercat de La Boqueria on the
famous Las Ramblas promenade is unmissable with a wide range of Spanish
hams, cheeses and more.
Shopping Centres
By the port, Maremagnum is the most popular mall in the city. In Plaça Espanya,
the Arenas shopping centre is based out of an old bullfighting ring with rooftop
restaurants offering great views of Barcelona’s mountains.
Restaurants
Restaurants in Barcelona
With plenty of fresh fish on the menu, Barcelona is one of the best gastronomical
cities in the world.Tourists come to try the food as much as anything else, with its
mix of contemporary wizardry and classic Catalan cooking.
Windsor
Set in an impressive Catalan Modernist building, the super-elegant Windsor offers
updated takes on Catalan cuisine.
Carrer de Còrsega 286 Price: Expensive
08008 Barcelona
Spain
4Gats
An old haunt of artists through the decades including Picasso, this legendary café
and restaurant is worth it just for the bohemian atmosphere.
Carrer de Montsió 3 Price: Moderate
08002 Barcelona
Spain
Tickets Bar
Brainchild of El Bulli legend Ferran Adrià’s brother, Albert, this fun, lively tapas bar
and restaurant is styled on an old ticket booth.
Avinguda del Parallel 164 Price: Moderate
08015 Barcelona
Spain
La Fonda
This classy but reasonably priced restaurant serves very typical Catalan food.
Carrer dels Escudellers 10 Price: Moderate
08002 Barcelona
Spain
La Tasqueta de Blai
A buzzy nook of a bar on a popular street for tapas; sizable delicious snacks and
glasses of beer alike are €1.
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Carrer de Blai 17, Poble Sec Price: Cheap
08004 Barcelona
Spain
Nightlife
Nightlife in Barcelona
One of the nation’s party capitals, Barcelona is a city that has it all when it comes
to nightlife from the vast seafront discotecas, to the traditional taverns and tables
sprawling across lively plazas.
Monvínic
Aiming to have one of the best ranges of bottles from all over the world, this sleek
wine bar was designed by Sergi Ferrer-Salat.
Carrer de la Diputació 249
08007 Barcelona
Spain
La Bolsa
In this novel bar, drink prices fluctuate depending on demand, like a boozy stock
market.
Carrer Tuset 17
08006 Barcelona
Spain
Jamboree
This jazz venue with a history dating back half a century is a local institution.
Plaça Reial 17
08002 Barcelona
Spain
Fàbrica Moritz
This brewery serves different craft beers from the iconic Moritz brand, with a history
dating back 150 years.
Ronda de Sant Antoni 39-41
08011 Barcelona
Spain
Antic Teatre
An alternative locale with recycled furniture and a lovely green patio.
Carrer de Verdaguer i Callís 12
08003 Barcelona
Spain
Calendar of events
Calendar of events
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Festes de Sant Medir
In the neighbourhood of Gràcia, the religious festival of Sant Medir is celebrated in
full vigour as its streets convert into a carnival for the day. Celebrations are in the
form of street parties and parades with colourful floats. Sant Medir was an honest
farmer who experienced a miracle after displaying loyalty to the Catholic Church,
this day was therefore commemorated to celebrate his faith.
March 3, 2020
Venue: Grácia and various other venues
Barcelona Marathon
Thousands of runners from around the world take to the streets of Barcelona for
this big sporting event. The route, which changes every year, leads them past
many of the main historical landmarks of the city. Locals turn up in even greater
numbers to show their support to those taking part. The aim is to finish the 42km
(26 miles) race in less than six hours.
March 15, 2020
Venue: Streets of Barcelona.
Barcelona Open Banc Sabadell
The thrilling tennis tournament is held annually at the Trofeo Conde de Godo de
Tennis on the ATP circuit between some of the world’s best and up-and-coming
players. Spain's oldest tennis club provides a brilliant atmosphere for this hotly
contested tournament.
April 18 - 26, 2020
Venue: Reial Club de Tennis
La Diada de Sant Jordi (Lover's Day)
One of the most celebrated events in Barcelona, Dia de Sant Jordi commemorates
the death of the city’s patron saint, Sant Jordi (St George). Celebrations are
reminiscent of Valentine’s Day but with a twist: Men give women roses while
women give men a book in tribute to Cervantes who died on this day in 1616. The
best place to celebrate this event in Barcelona is along La Rambla, which
transforms into a massive flower market and book stall.
April 23, 2020
Venue: Streets and squares in Barcelona
Spanish Grand Prix (Formula 1)
Otherwise known as the 'Gran Premio de Espana de Formula One', the world's
best 20 drivers compete here in one of the most important races of the year. All the
action can be seen from the stands and on the 17 giant screens - not a skid nor a
pit-stop need be missed. The Circuit de Catalunya of Montmelo has improved its
facilities for spectators, now offering 14 grandstands, three of them under cover.
This is considered to be a particularly well-designed circuit. The capacity for
spectators is 104,000 and there are facilities for camping and car parking, as well
as food and drink within the circuit complex. There are two days of practice and
qualifying sessions before the big race on 13 May.
May 8 - 10, 2020
Venue: Circuit de Catalunya of Montmelo
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Sonar Music Festival
The annual Sonar International Festival of Advanced Music and New Media Art is
an event that attracts over 80,000 people to the city with a mix of new musical
talent and international artists. The event is divided between 'Sonar by Day' which
is a mix of concerts and exhibitions of new talent and 'Sonar by Night' which is
mainly concerts and shows with well known international acts headlining.
July 18 - 20, 2020
Venue: Various locations in Barcelona
Barcelona Summer Festival (Grec)
Barcelona’s Summer Festival is one of the reasons why summer is the best time to
visit the city. Popularly known as the 'The Grec', the festival offers a great mix of
entertainment with musical highlights from previous years including Joss Stone,
Brian Wilson, Craig David and Marianne Faithful. Each year the organisers aim to
bring something new and different to the international audiences who attend the
festival. Most of the 45 events of the Barcelona Summer Festival of theatre, music
and dance are performed at Teatre Grec, a Greek-style amphitheatre on the hill of
Montjuic.
July 2020
Venue: Teatre Grec and various theatres in Barcelona
Fiesta de La Mercé
The Fiesta de la Mercé promises to be the biggest party of the year, involving
plenty of live music, spectacular fireworks and Catalonia's national drink, cava
(champagne). Numerous events take place during these three days of celebrations
including parades featuring giant wooden figures and human pyramid competitions
where groups of castellers stack up and compete to form the highest human tower.
For the full programme of events, enquire at the main tourist office at Plaça de
Catalunya.
September 2020
Venue: Various venues.
Festival Internacional de Jazz
Playing host to one of the most important jazz festivals in the world, Barcelona sets
you in the mood for jazz every winter. The festival features heavyweight artists as
well as up-and-coming names in the jazz industry. It takes place in venues all over
Barcelona, ranging from the grand Palau de la Musica to bars like Jamboree. Each
event requires individual tickets. Previous performers include Wayne Shorter,
Jimmy Cobb, Marcus Miller, Jamie Cullum and Charles Lloyd.
October - December 2020
Venue: Various venues.
Fira de Santa Llúcia
The festivities to the "queen of light" begin with a noisy procession through the old
town in which the narrow streets ring with the sound of thundercrackers before the
evening ends with a modest firework display. The following day sees the
pilgrimage to the ermita of Santa Llúcia on top of the small hill above the old town
for a special mass and a short procession with the images of Santa Llúcia and
Santa Barbara.
November - December 2020
Venue: Various other venues.
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Hotels
Hotels in Barcelona
The Mediterranean metropolis has a vast array of options, with seaside hotels, vast
luxury towers and boutiques based out of historic buildings.With its year-round
popularity, prices can be eye-watering but there is plenty of budget lodging too.
Hesperia Tower
This Richard Rogers-designed building is 107m (350ft) high with 280 stylish rooms
and excellent views of the city.
Gran Via 144, Hospitalet de Llobregat Category: Expensive
08907 Barcelona
Spain
Granados 83
Comfortable and sophisticated, Granados 83 is a handsome hotel in the Eixample
District.
Carrer Enric Granados 83 Category: Expensive
08008 Barcelona
Spain
Chic & Basic Born
Contemporary chic with lots of eclectic touches, this hotel is ideally placed in the El
Born barrio.
Carrer de la Princesa 50 Category: Moderate
08003 Barcelona
Spain
Abba Rambla
In the heart of the up-and-coming Raval area, this buzzy hotel is all about location.
Rambla del Raval 4C Category: Moderate
08001 Barcelona
Spain
Wilson Boutique Hotel
One of the best value options in the affluent Eixample neighbourhood, Wilson
Boutique Hotel is based out of an impressive 1930s building.
Avinguda Diagonal 568 Category: Cheap
08021 Barcelona
Spain
Crew Tip
My Barcelona
I love to go down to the harbor, where Barcelona’s hottest nightlife can be found,
for instance at the Barcelona Pipa Club. The area also has several typically
Catalonian restaurants, like the Agua, and some very cozy tapas bars, like the
Mochima Bar and the Tapac 24. At the Moo (in the Omm design hotel), you can
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enjoy Catalonian cuisine in a very special way – in the pool bar on the roof terrace,
where the atmosphere is particularly romantic in the evening.
© Deutsche Lufthansa AG
Best of ...
... Ravel: A changing district
© Gunnar Knechtel
For centuries, this Barcelona neighborhood was considered “a lost cause.” Then
cooks, artists, designers and other creative types discovered it.Ravel is now
experiencing a second heyday.
Dos Palillos
Albert Raurich is one of the city’s best chefs, but although his Dos Palillos
restaurant was awarded its first Michelin star in early 2013, some Barcelona
gourmets still refuse to frequent Raurich’s place on principle. “Many people from
fancier neighborhoods wouldn’t dream of setting foot around here,” says the 43-
year-old creative chef, “even though Ravel is not only a pretty safe place now, but
also open-minded, easygoing and bubbling with life.”Raurich was determined to
open his restaurant here despite Ravel’s persistent reputation as the city’s
roughest neighborhood and a catch basin for criminals, prostitutes, immigrants –
and anyone else who fate had relegated to the fringes of society. Even in the late
20th century, travel guides still warned visitors not to stray into the area directly
bordering the famous Ramblas promenade.
Carrer d'Elisabets, 9 dospalillos.com/
08001 Barcelona
Spanien
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Tel. +34- 93/3040513
MACBA
“Those days are gone,” says Raurich. And he’s right: Wandering through Ravel,
you find yourself in a vibrant neighborhood with bars, cafés and clubs, countless
tattoo studios, record stores and art galleries. Skaters practice their maneuvers in
front of the brilliant white building housing the Museu d’Art Contemporani de
Barcelona (MACBA). Few buildings symbolize more eloquently Ravel’s
transformation than the 25-million-euro art museum.
Plaça dels Àngels, 1 www.macba.cat
08001 Barcelona
Spanien
Tel. +34-93/4120810
MuchaFibra
Over the years, Ravel has undergone radical change more than once. The first
wave of change arrived in the 1990s, bringing with it students and artistic types,
fearless people who were attracted rather than repelled by the neighborhood’s
rough charm. One of these was Virginie Verrier, a French designer of elegant
business attire for women. “It was a colorful mix of very different people and
cultures, all respectful of otherness,” says the 42-year-old.At the time, the city of
Barcelona also reassumed responsibility for what had been considered a “lost
neighborhood.” It moved cultural centers and museums, such as MACBA, into the
area, and built squares and promenades like the Rambla del Ravel. The
neighborhood’s new inhabitants pitched in as well. Virginie Verrier started
MuchaFibra, a non-profit initiative to support young fashion design talent.
“Designers who don’t have their own studio can rent space from us,” she explains.
MuchaFibra provides sewing machines and cutting tables, and has an adjoining
salesroom, too. The organization is also active in the community, offering sewing
courses to students and retired people, say, – or to prostitutes looking for a new
career perspective.
Carrer Carretes, 13 muchafibra.com
08001 Barcelona
Spanien
Tel. +34-93/5665157
VilaWeb
It’s the community spirit that lends Ravel its appeal. Vicent Partal, editor-in-chief of
the news website VilaWeb, has also found a way to reach out. Three years ago,
VilaWeb moved into new editorial offices in Ravel; today, Partal regularly hosts film
screenings in the building’s TV studio. “We discussed the pros and cons of moving
here very carefully,” the 53-year-old journalist admits, “but if you want to support
integration, you have to be prepared to go into the ghetto yourself.”Partal thinks
Ravel is moving in the right direction now and has some ambitious plans to help it
on its way: “We’re considering the possibility of opening a café, where guests will
be able to observe our editors while they work. You have to show people what
you’re doing, be visible, here in Ravel.”
Carrer de Ferlandina, 43 vilaweb.cat
08001 Barcelona
Spanien
Tel. +34-93/4426439
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