My time in Spain is passing so quickly, and I’m already entering week 3 of my four-week abroad program. This past week, I didn’t travel outside of Barcelona like I did last weekend. Instead, I focused on being a “tourist” and visiting several popular sites in Barcelona so I could further immerse myself in Spanish culture.
On Tuesday, I had a tapas dinner paid for by my abroad program. My friends and I went to three different tapas restaurants that sold unique tapas. My favorite kind of tapas is croquettes. Croquettes can contain different creamy fillings, usually made with meat or seafood, and they are coated in breadcrumbs and deep-fried. Because tapas dishes are small, I didn’t think the dinner would fill me up. However, the tapas were always served on a piece of bread, which made it a lot more filling. We were all stuffed by the end of the meal!
Next, I went on a tour of Casa Vicens that Thursday. Casa Vicens is the first major project of the famous Spanish architect Antoni Gaudí. It was originally the home of a wealthy Spanish family, but it was converted into a museum in 2017. The house is located in Barcelona’s Gràcia neighbourhood, and its style is very modernist. The house is covered in vibrant tiles and displays Gaudí’s unique creative vision. When designing the house, Guadi drew inspiration from nature. For example, the fence was made through a cast iron mold of palm leaves. The house is truly vibrant and beautiful, and I enjoyed touring it and learning more about its history.
Saturday was a rainy day, and a flood watch was issued in Barcelona. I stopped by the Sagrada Familia that afternoon before the rain started. The sheer size of the cathedral is so captivating to see in person, and its beauty is evident even though it is not yet complete. It is incredible to think about how the cathedral has been under construction for over 140 years. Next, some of my roommates and I visited the Museu Nacional d’Art de Catalunya, the National Museum of Art of Catalonia. The museum was built in 1929 for the International Exposition, and its doors remain open today. I particularly enjoyed viewing the Medieval and Romanesque collections. The museum contains not only beautiful paintings, but also sculptures, artifacts, furniture, and religious relics. Walking around the museum and enjoying the art while learning more about the history of Catalonia was the perfect way to spend a rainy day.
Finally, I visited the Monastery of Pedralbes on Sunday. The monastery was home to catholic nuns for nearly 700 years, and it has now been converted into a museum. The complex is built around a beautiful courtyard, surrounded by Gothic pillars. This was the least crowded “tourist” attraction I have visited. I think part of that reason is because the monastery is on the outskirts of Barcelona- it took me a 40-minute commute to get there. The monastery was very quiet and calm, and I enjoyed the peaceful atmosphere. Seeing various cells and prayer rooms the nuns used to use was very interesting to me, and it feels strange to think that a building that was lived in and cared for for hundreds of years is now empty. The monastery is a spot I would highly recommend visiting in Barcelona, so don’t forget about it!
As I go into my third week in Barcelona, I hope to continue exploring and learning more about the city and Spanish culture. Until next time, adios!
