In
2015, the KU Summer Language Institute will again return to Barcelona, the cosmopolitan capital of Spain’s Catalunya region. The city's landmarks are plentiful, spectacular, and welcoming.
The
Ciudat Vella houses many structures from the Middle Ages and Renaissance. The
Eixample developed during the 19th-century and contains wide boulevards, incredible
Modernisme buildings, and imposing monuments to the city's emergence as an economic powerhouse. The quaint neighborhoods of
Sarrià,
Gràcia, and
Pedralbes lend a small-town flavor to this metropolis of nearly 1.6 million.
But Barcelona is much more. The modernist architecture of
Antoni Gaudí created unique structures that challenged traditional architectural styles and produced innovative designs that still have an impact on the city.
Sagrada Familia, considered Gaudí's masterwork, has left an influential mark on the city, and its iconic architecture continues to define the city's identity.
Every year I visit Barcelona, I try to absorb the beauty of this city. If you visit the
Parc Güell, another of Gaudí's creations, take a moment to experience the views of the city. The
Parc, built on a rocky hill (
Muntanya Pelada or "Bare Mountain" in English), has magnificent views of the city, the harbor area and the Mediterranean. It is worth the climb and walk to the mountain.
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| View of Barcelona |
A
sentimental pastime of mine is to sample the various
tapas of the
´Ciudad Condal´. I enjoy seeking out
tapas restaurants
and experiencing the neighborhoods that surround these establishments. I try to search for filled with local people and far from the tourist routes where the food is usually prepared with authenticity and served with simplicity
by an attentive staff.
Most of all, I return
to reconnect with this city and to discover new places, share time with
old friends. I did the tourist thing years ago. Now when I return to the
plaças and
ramblas, I seek to discover new details and facets of Barcelona.
 |
| Plaça de Catalunya |
What will you discover?
To access an online map of the city with other information about visiting Barcelona click here.
The Arc de Triomf is a Neo-Moorish triumphal arch located on the Passeig de Lluís Companys. The site is a short walk from the Parc de la Ciutadella, a vibrant urban park which houses the Parliament of Catalunya, several museums, a world-class zoo, and urban green spaces. 
