Monuments and sculptures
A girl, slumped to her knees, her hands delicately clasped and her face covered by her mane of hair, rises up in the middle of the pond in the Plaça d"Armes, in
Barcelona"s Parc de la Ciutadella. It seems that nothing or no one can console her. Here Despair takes the form of the sculpture of a woman.
Barcelona"s Gothic Quarter you"ll come across one of the city"s best-kept secrets in a building on Carrer Paradís. Inside a small medieval courtyard, the four columns from the Temple of Augustus have survived despite the passing of the centuries. They are more than 2,000 years old, like Barcelona itself.
The Roman wall which adjoins Barcelona"s Plaça Nova has a secret in store. On the other side, stands the entrance to the Casa de l"Ardiaca, or Archdeacon"s House, which contains interesting archaeological remains. As you enter the Casa de l"Ardiaca"s courtyard, you"ll find a building which is a fusion of all eras and styles.
Thousands of people walk over Joan Miró"s pavement mosaic in the centre of
Barcelona"s Rambla. It goes unnoticed by some, others stop to look at the characteristic colours used by the Barcelona-born artist. However, few people know that an important Rambla landmark once stood opposite this site: the famous Boqueria gate.
In 1888 Barcelona hosted the Universal Exhibition. The Arc de Triomf was built as the gateway to the fair which was held in the Parc de la Ciutadella. The monument is classical in shape and proportions and features ground-breaking sculptural and decorative finishes replete with symbolism. It has become one of the city"s iconic landmarks.
