Plaça d’Espanya – Barcelona
The old bull ring at Plaça d’Espanya in Barcelona is now a shopping mall with a great view up towards the National Art Museum.
Previous slide
Next slide
Rotate to landscape to view slideshow
Monastery of Pedralbes - Enjoy the Seclusion
Now a museum, Monastery of Pedralbes displays art works collected by the monastery since its inception in the 14th century and also hosts temporary exhibitions.
It is a quiet spot, at least it was on the day we visited. You can stroll around the collonaded cloisters and spend a bit of time in the garden.
I’m not sure how many renovations and extensions have been carried out since the monastery was founded in 1327 by Queen Elisenda de Montcada as a home for the Poor Clare Sisters, an order of Franciscan nuns.
What you see here now is reportedly the largest Gothic colonaded cloister, the small cells where the nuns secluded themselves, a chapel with 14th Century frescoes (St Michael’s Chapel), the dormitory and kitchen – all draped around the quiet central garden where, if you are in the mood, you can pause and do your own reflections.
The frescoes in St Michael’s Chapel have recently been restored. You can watch a fascinating video and read an article about the restoration.
Subscribe
Login
0 Comments
Oldest
More from Spain
Barcelona Maritime Museum
Near Barcelona’s harbour is the Maritime Museum. The displays include historic vessels, exhibitions, archived pictures, and maps., .
La Boqueria Food Market
Even though the market is under cover, wear your sun glasses to protect your eyes from the marvelous colours of the fruit and vegetables!
Other destinations you may like:
Dinard, France
If Saint-Malo is for pirates, Dinard is for elegance! Situated in a lovely position overlooking the Rance Estuary, the beautiful 19th century villas are just made for the aristocracy.
Oatlands, Tasmania
Oatlands, a small town on the Midland Highway between Hobart and Launceston, contains great examples of Colonial Georgian buildings.
Cradle Mountain – The Ascent
Email from Ben: “I plan to climb Cradle Mountain when we visit the area in a few weeks – better start training”. So I reduced my alcohol consumption to one glass of wine a night (well, most nights) and did a bit of walking (on the flat) at weekends, so when we started our trek on a fine February day I was completely unprepared for what lay ahead.