Panoramic view of Barcelona (by aldask@flickr)
Barcelona is Spain’s second largest city, with a population of 1.5 million people, and the capital of Catalonia. The city is on the Mediterranean coast, and has a wealth of unique historic architecture, rooting back to the Roman Empire. Barcelona emerged as one of the most popular tourist destinations in Europe during the 1990s.
In 1992 Barcelona hosted the Olympics Games, which passed as one of the best organized games in recent history. Already some time before, the city was getting prepared for them, and the transformation was very important in the city; new areas were made and the city was opened to the sea. This transformation and the games made the city known all over the world, and increased the tourist flow, as well as the naval traffic, with numerous ships docking in Barcelona’s port.
Las Ramblas on a busy weekend (by Carlos_lorenzo@fickr)
Barcelona is a beautiful city, full of markets, shops, museums and churches, and great for walking around. Right in the center, the area called “La Rambla” is well known for walking around. It is a favorite tourist attraction, with flower sellers, street performers, paintings and restaurants. Right off “La Rambla” you can find the World Trace Center business center, a four-buiding roundish structure, which is right next to the Mediterranean sea and next to the harbor area, with fantastic views of the city from the water. This is the location where Recsys 2010 will take place.
Detail of La Pedrera, one of Gaudi's jewels (by campru@flickr)
One of the things Barcelona is most well known for is the richness of its modernist architecture, led by Antoni Gaudi’s buildings, and the well structured organization of its street planning. The area of the city called “el Eixample” covers most of the central part of the city and was designed from zero by Indefons Cerd√° in his plan of extension of Barcelona in 1859. Seen from the air it shows a grid of square blocks with many interior gardens and taking full advantage of Barcelona’s sunny days.
Antoni Gaudi’s work was greatly influenced by forms of nature and this is reflected by the use of curved construction stones, twisted iron sculptures, and organic-like forms which are traits of Gaudi’s Barcelona architecture. Gaudi also adorned many of his buildings with coloured tiles arranged in mosaic patterns.
Sagrada Familia Church (by Carlos_
Gaudi’s buildings stand out from “El Eixample” area by its beauty and uniqueness, these are “la Sagrada Familia” church -still under construction, but open to tourists-, “la Pedrera” -with its dazing curvy shapes- and the “Casa Batlló” -inspired by the shapes of a mythological creature. Aside from these buildings, Gaudi’s work has greatly influenced the face of Barcelona Architecture and you will see Gaudi’s work all over the city.
No article on Barcelona would be complete without at least some mention of the city’s spectacular nightlife. Barcelona is widely considered one of Europe’s great party cities and deservedly so. This city has a very good nightlife, simply because there are lots of foreigners, students, and tourists. Everywhere around the city one can find discotheques, clubs and dance halls. The visitor can start the night by eating some “tapas” in one of “el Born” or “el Barri Gòtic” restaurants. Then you can head out for a drink or dancing to some music in “el Eixample”, “Maremagum” area or “el Port Olímpic”, the later two on the sea front.
World Trade Center (by kenclarewls@flikr)
Over all, Barcelona is a city where the visitor will be able to find everything needed, from good food to culture to entertainment, all linked with the local catalan culture which is embracing and welcoming. From the Recsys 2010 organization committee we would like to encourage you to accompany us in the conference in our fantastic city!
