A crackdown on noise at night in Barcelona

Posted on July 16, 2012 by admin

Barcelona City Council is cracking down on noise resulting from nighlife in the city, with a new campaign called Silenci Pla. This campaign aims to raise awareness of the reduction of noise in key areas of nightlife in the city.

The initiative aims to reach out to about 700 establishments in all districts and runs till November, with city environmental workers working with local communities to reduce noise pollution between 11pm and 6am from Thursday to Saturday.

The launch coincides with a new ban on organized bar crawls in the old town, whereby tourists wearing special bracelets enjoy low cost alcohol. These have been identified as a source of much antisocial behaviour, as well as drunken noise. Guides will be given a penalty of up to 1,800 euros. Bars themselves that take part also face heavy fines if they promote these tours.

Local residents and visitors alike will be delighted with these measures which promote a more civilised balance between nightlife and their own rest and relaxation.

 

Posted in Areas - Las Ramblas | 4 Comments

Superyachts in Barcelona

Posted on July 12, 2012 by admin

Plans to turn the Marina Port Vell into the Mediterraneans next Monaco are proving controversial, despite the current economic climate in Barcelona and throughout Spain.

Salamanca, a British private investment fund has taken control of much of the port area and has asked for a licence so that it can develop the Marina Port Vell to offer a berth for up to 150 superyachts, iup to 180 metres in length.

Residents of the nearby traditional fishermen’s neighborhood of La Barceloneta remain unenthused. Naturally they fear that a huge wall may go up around part of the port to ensure the privacy of a handful of wealthy people, creating a fortress-like billionaires’ ghetto on their doorstep, and destroy the character of their neighbourhood, which many have long felt to be under threat from tourism.

But the project comes as Barcelona seeks to rebrand itself by shedding its sun, sea and sagrada familia image, one of a low cost destination for stag parties and drunken revelry; and to raise its ambitions. Some might say this wonderful city deserves better, and a rebrand is long overdue.

Detractors of the project argue that it will not in reality create jobs, that specialist skillsets will be brought in from oversees. This may initially be the case, but if one looks at cities such as Monaco, whose shoes Barcelona hopes to follow in, the positive economic impact of the super rich is undeniable, and reflected in the offering of upscale shops, restaurants, bars, hotels and other services.

For now the outcome of the Marina Port Vell is still in the balance, since while the Spanish port authority has approved plans, consent from the Ajuntament de Barcelona, or Barcelona City Council, is still pending.

“This will have a landscape impact on Barcelona and so will have to be studied closely,” said Ajuntament spokesperson Rosa Díaz. “The city hall approves in principle of a large investment that might generate jobs and bring wealth, but it is not going to allow them to do whatever they like. And, of course, it will consult the neighbours.”

 

Posted in Barcelona a world city, Barcelona as a cruise destination, barcelona economy, Barcelona Marina, barcelona port vell | 2 Comments

La Manual Alpargatera – a Barcelona institution

Posted on July 5, 2012 by admin

La Manual Alpargatera is something of a Barcelona institution, it has been stocking handmade espadrilles since 1910. Located in Calle Avinyó in the heart of the old town, the shop has been visited by the likes of Michael Douglas, Jack Nicholson and the Pope; all left the store with a pair of classic rope soled canvas shoes under their arm. But this is a shoe humble in design and price, a basic espadrille will only set you back €8.20.

At this price once can afford to wear them to destruction all summer long and buy yourself a new pair next year, though they also make excellent house shoes for the winter months.

The jute rope sole is the defining characteristic of an espadrille; the uppers vary widely in style and colour. They are worn by men and women, and are great for lazy summer days; especially since the back of the upper can be pushed flat and worn under the heal of the foot.

One of the beauties of this shop is the attractive array of different colours stacked neatly into slots in the antique wooden shelving. They also offer a wedge heeled number with long ties that wrap around the lower leg for ladies as well as the basic espadrille, and numerous other shoes and sandlas made from an assortment of natural materials.

Espadrilles have been made in Pyrennean Occitania and Catalonia at least since the 14th century. Here in Catalunya they are known as Espardenyes (and in Spain Alpargatas). Espadrille is their name in French, it derives from the Occitan & Catalan word for the shoes, espardenya (this derives from the word espart, the Occitan/Catalan name for esparto – halfah grass, a tough Mediterranean grass often used in making rope).
If you are in Barcelona be sure to swing by and pick up a few pairs.

Carrer Avinyó 7, Barcelona

Tel: 933010172

 

Posted in Areas - The Old Town & Ramblas, Shopping in Barcelona | 4 Comments

Barcelona designs its way clear of the economic crisis

Posted on June 28, 2012 by admin

Barcelona Design Centre (BCD) and the Ajuntament (city council) announced a new joint project ‘€Design – Measuring Design Value’ on Tuesday. The aim of this project is to create and to promote an international reference guide for measuring design as an economic factor, and the impact of design on the economy of different countries and regions.

At a press conference, the president of BCD, Pau Herrera, said the intention of the organization is to apply the guidelines ”to each country and region”.

“We have studies that show that many companies are coming out of the crisis through innovation in both product design and production processes,” Herrera has stated, and added that BCD aims to improve the competitiveness of Catalan companies and design centers in Barcelona.

The Deputy Mayor of Economics, Business and Employment of the City Council, Sonia Recasens, claims that the project will allow design to be valued in terms of GDP, allowing Barcelona and Catalonia to raise funds and investments.

Posted in Barcelona a world city, barcelona economy, design in barcelona | 1 Comment

Summer Nights at La Pedrera

Posted on June 21, 2012 by admin

Summer Nights at La Pedrera is a very special summer event that takes place on the roof of Gaudí’s magical Casa Milà, better known as La Pedrera (the quarry), situated on Passeig de Gràcia, one of Barcelona’s finest thoroughfares, and one that is lined with art nouveau treasures including the Casa Batlló and the Casa Amatller.

The roof of the Casa Milà is normally closed to the public, which is a pity because of the wonderful ambiance created by the fantastic sculptural chimneys created by Gaudí.

Barcelona is full of hidden secrets, special places where you can enjoy a truly unique experience, you can see 5 of the best of them here.

In the unrivaled setting of the Casa Milà’s roof, members of the public are able to enjoy the summer night air, great views of the city, music, and a ubitquitous glass of cava, on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights from 21 June to 8 September.

Entrance: Passeig de Gràcia, 92
Admission: €25
Doors open at 9.30 pm
www.lapedrera.com

Posted in Activities - Summer, Architecture in Barcelona, Areas - The Eixample, Barcelona nightlife, Barcelona's Museums, Bars in Barcelona, Concerts in Barcelona, Gaudi architecture, shows and concerts in Barcelona | 8 Comments

Festival of Sant Joan 2012 Barcelona

Posted on June 21, 2012 by admin

Sant Joan is one of Barcelona’s main festivals, the celebration of Saint John the Baptist. Like many religious festivals, Saint Joan coincides with a more ancient pagan event, the summer solstice in this instance. Not for the faint hearted, Sant Joan is a bells and whistles all night long pyrotechnic party.

The festival is celebrated all across Barcelona and Catalunya. In the city itself each district organises events to mark the occasion – dinners, parties, bonfires and firecrackers. Firecrackers everywhere.. of sometimes deafening force. If you are attending with children take this into account, and mind where you walk!

The focus of Sant Joan celebrations in Barcelona is the beach, where crowds of up to 75000 people have been known to congregate. The party here and throughout the city goes on until sunrise, or longer for those with the stamina for it. Bars and clubs throughout the city will put on special parties for Sant Joan.

Celebrations take place on the 23rd of June each year, though the actual feast day is on the 24th of June.
This is perhaps the most important feast days for Catalans and is a central part of Catalan culture and history. Its origins lie in the idea that on the night of Sant Joan the sun reaches its highest point, before beginning to drop, and the sun was seen as a symbol of fertility and wealth in what was then a largely agricultural society, and so it must be given strength; the latter is provided by bonfires and fireworks lit throughout the city for Sant Joan.

If you are in Barcelona in late June don’t miss the Sant Joan festival!

Posted in Activities - Spring, Catalan traditions and culture | Leave a comment

A Sandstorm in Barcelona

Posted on June 14, 2012 by admin

NOT a common occurrence. In fact its the first I have heard of, and I have lived here more decades than I care to mention!

But quite a spectacle none the less – the storm lasted 5 minutes and brought 35mph (55kmph) winds.

Posted in Barcelona beach apartments, Barcelona Beaches | Leave a comment

Sagrada Familia – still on the up

Posted on June 14, 2012 by admin

According to official statistics published by the city council, last year the Sagrada Familia, designed by the famous architect Antoni Gaudí, became the most visited monument in Catalonia, with a dramatic rise of 900,000 more tourists in one year, reaching 3.2 million.

This was the first time in its history that it surpassed 3 million visitors in a year, a 40% increase over the 2.3 million it received lin 2010. Second most popular was the Barcelona Aquarium, with 1.6 million visits the year past, 160,000 more than 2010. Perhaps due to FC Barcelona’s recent glories, the museum at FC Barcelona also attracted 1.6 million, although its growth was higher, with nearly 300,000 visitors more.

Posted in Areas - Sagrada Familia | Leave a comment

We are all made of stars. Apparently..

Posted on June 1, 2012 by admin

This is one of many discoveries you can make at “Som astrònoms!” [We are astronomers!], an exhibition organised by the Obra Social La Caixa. This exhibition in the CosmoCaixa 3D Planetarium consists of a full-screen film that shows us what the work of astronomers is really like, and what questions people are asking with regard to the cosmos.

The classic image of the solitary Astronomer working alone as a kind of hermit figure is centuries old. Modern day Astronomers need to share information and collaborate with experts from other scientific fields, as this discipline requires the most advanced technology available.

This superb exhibition is ideal for children, it uses highly advanced technology to show the film in stereoscopic 3D using a system that generates the images without having to process them beforehand, offering us a realistic view of the planets and giving us the feeling of being surrounded by their celestial bodies, and immersed in deep space!

“Som astrònoms!” is aimed at anyone from 8 years upwards, and costs 2 euros per person. Showings are on weekends and public holidays at 12 pm, 1 pm, 4 pm and 7 pm.

Posted in Art in Barcelona, Barcelona for Children, Exhibitions in Barcelona | 4 Comments

Swab Barcelona

Posted on May 25, 2012 by admin

Swab Barcelona will gather around 60 galleries from around the world between May 23th and May 26th of 2012 in Barcelona.

Bringing together a carefully curated selection of participating international galleries all of whom focus on young and up and coming contemporary art stars, Swab returns to Barcelona for it’s fifth year, with around 60 galleries from around the world participating, creating a platform for a new generation of artists to exhibit their work.

In collaboration with other international Art Events such as Preview Berlin: The Emerging Art Fair, Swab Barcelona hosts galleries from Germany, Italy, the United Kingdom, the United States, Brasil, China and Japan.

This year for the first time Swab Barcelona will also present a selection of Art Project spaces, curated by renowned Independent Insitut of Criticism and Contemporary Art, A-Desk.

Swab takes place from the 23rd to the 26th of May at the Fira de Barcelona.

http://swab.es/

Posted in Activities - Summer, Art in Barcelona, Exhibitions in Barcelona | Leave a comment