GRATIS IN BARCELONA!... Palau de la Virreina - Centre de la Imatge

Free entrance: from Thursday to Sunday from 12hs to 20hs Location: La Rambla 99 - Barcelona Metro: lines 1 y 3 (Catalunya and Liceu)


The Palau de la Virreina is a palace located on Las Ramblas, near La Boquería Market. The origin of the building is from the XVIII century, at which time the governor ("virrey", translates like under-king) of the Spanish colony in Perú returned to Barcelona.

This person made his fortune in the colony (we will not describe how) and showed his wealth by building a large baroque and rococo palace. After his death his widow (la virreina) continued to occupy the palace. The peolpe of Barcelona quickly gave the building it's name: Palau de la Virreina (the palace of the widow of the governor).
This palace is one of the best examples of Baroque architecture in Barcelona. From the beautiful lobby with vaulted ceilings, you can enter the inner courtyard and admire the double staircase and large windows of the room.

Currently it houses several art-related services, as well as many interesting exhibitions.

CENTRE DE CULTURA CONTEMPORANIA DE BARCELONA

During the 19th century this cultural center was the "Casa de la Caritat" (Charity's House). It carried out charitable functions and was also the place for workshops of textile manufacturing. These activities served mainly to clothe and feed the hospice population, but also the Casa de la Caritat thought the workers (some started at 14 years old!) a profession for when they left. One of the most profitable workshops was the print-shop school.

During the 19th century In 1956, this institution was transferred to another location, un-occupying the building for around 30 years when the Barcelona city hall approved the creation of the Centre de Cultura Contemporània de Barcelona (CCCB). This was part of a project to rehabilitate the Raval neighborhood.

The CCCB opened with a total surface area of 15,000 m2 of which 4,000 was intended for art-gallery space. The central building includes multipurpose spaces such as the foyer, the "Pati de les Dones" courtyard and the "Mirador" hall. Further it has lecture halls and an auditorium.

The garden is free always, 365 days a year while during the summer the CCCB organizes open-air movies that always counts on high number of visitors, tourists and locals.

www.guesthousebarcelona.com

This 5th January will arrive the Magic Kings' Parade!!!

This year you can enjoy of the cavalcade of the Magic Kings with its lights, colors and floats.

Next January 5th, the 3 Magic Kings, will arrive at the Moll de la Fusta at 17:00hs where they will start a parade around the city with more than a thousand people helping them. (see the route here: http://www.bcn.cat/recorregut/ ).

The 11 large floats will distribute over 12,000 kilos of candy, so be prepared!

The magic night with the Magic Kings will arrive soon!

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THE COLUMBUS MONUMENT

The Columbus monument stands at the end of la Rambla, near the sea.

Take the lift inside the column to the viewing gallery at the top and enjoy panoramic views of Barcelona, 60 meters above the ground.

If you look north, you'll be able to make out the Gotic Quarter and the city's historic building: the bell towers of the Cathedral, Santa María del Mar and La Merçè. You'll see the bustling Rambla, which meanders up to the Plaça de Catalunya and marks the entrance to teh Eixample district, where you'll find the city's main modernista landmarks and the Sagrada Familia church.

If you look towards the sea, to the east, and follow the coastline, you'll be able to see the modern Forum district in the distance with its photovoltaic cell and tall buildings. Nearer to you, the twin towers flank the entrance to the Olympic Marina. The old harbour, or Port Vell, and the industrial port are below you at the foot of the monument.

To the south, stands Montjuïc Hill, with its castle at the top. Montjuïc is also the site of museums, gardens, theatres and the Olympic Ring. At the foot of the hill, just beyond the Reials Drassanes that house the Museu Marítim, you'll see the three chimeneys at the botoom of the Paral·lel, and avenue which is a major retail, cultural and entertainment hub.

And finally, if you look west, you'll see Collserola Natural Park, the vast green lung surrounding the city, with the Collserola Tower and the Tibidabo Amusement Park as its two stand-out attractions.

Timetable:
Daily from 8:30 to 20:30hs

Price 4€

Access:
Plaça Portal de la Pau (at the end of las Ramblas)
Metro Drassanes, line 3 color green



More in: Barcelona Turisme
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CAROLS IN "LAS RAMBLAS"

Today at 18:30, the Association of friends of Las Ramblas, invites you to a concert of carols from around the world that give the "Coral Sant Ignasi", which combines Catalonia's traditional classics and moderns.

Later, to get warm, nothing like a popular chocolate with "melindros & coques"...nothing more traditional!!!

Come on!

www.ideasandcreativity.com

ROMANESQUE MANGER

The representation of the birth of Jesus with figures for Christmas is a long tradition in Catalonia.

Faithful to this custom, the Sant Jaume square annually hosts a Christmas crib; this is a classic in Barcelona.

This year's crib reproduces part of a romanesque chapel in ruins, with its cloister, in a very Mediterranean landscape.

You can visit it until 29 December in the lobby of the City of Barcelona located in the Plaça Sant Jaume from 11hs to 20hs.

Fuente: Ajuntament de Barcelona
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ICE-RINK IN BARCELONA

A huge but temporary ice-rink has just been build on the Placa Catalunya -the centre of the city-centre- in our beautiful city of Barcelona. It measures over 1200 square meters and has capacity for 350 people. The roof is made of a semi-ransparent dome where images are being proected. To get a bit warm there is the typical "Churros con Chocolate" place.

During the first day of it's opening, already 6000 skaters enjoyed this new attraction. It will be open every day until January 8th, 2012 from 10:00hs to 21:00hs, and the Fridays and Saturdays until 23:00hs.

The costs are 6.00€/half hour and 8.00€/hour, but, if you buy something in the shops around the Plaça catñunya, you can get a 2x1 coupons.

Fuente: La Vanguardi y El Mundo

http://www.guesthousejardinets.com/