Bjoern North

Though it carries the same name as its French cousin, the Arc de Triomf in Barcelona is quite different, both architecturally and historically.

The famous one in Paris (though France actually has several that go by that name) was initiated by Napoleon to memorialize his victories. The Barcelona Arc de Triomf was erected for the 1888 Universal Exposition held at the Parc de la Ciutadella, where it served as the entrance to the event.

Barcelona Zoo receives over a million visitors per year. It isn't hard to see why, once you know about all the things it has to offer animal lovers. Built in 1892 these 13 hectares located in Ciutadella Park house thousands of animals from 400 different species, many of whom are not typically found at other conservation facilities.

There are programs that stock and protect the Gila Monster (Heloderma suspectum).

Between Las Ramblas and the Passeig de Picasso lies one of Barcelona's most famous areas: Barri Gotic, the Gothic Quarter. Its fame is well deserved. For, here, visitors can find streets and buildings from the Middle Ages that will provide hours of fascinating exploration. There are small winding alleyways where tourists can find all manner of Gothic-era buildings, shops housed in centuries-old structures, cafes and much more.

Barcelona is an ancient city, born of the Roman Empire. But like many great cities around the world, it flowered in the late Middle Ages and blossomed in the mid-19th century. Yet there are many exciting elements of the modern period there, as well. These periods are all evident in this northeastern Spanish city on the Mediterranean Sea coast.

Visitors can find a remnant of old Roman architecture here and there, in the form of part of an aqueduct in the Barri Gotic (Gothic Quarter) and some of the streets.

Once exclusively a flower market, the bustling Las Ramblas area of Barcelona is the perfect place for shopping and people watching. Once lined with convents and churches, the streets are now thronged with performers, magazine vendors and a hundred other things. The convents and monasteries were all closed by 1830.

There are no cars allowed in the central sections.

Barcelona is a city by the sea, the Mediterranean Sea to be exact. Like most coastal towns its history and ambiance are affected by that fact. For centuries the harbor was the scene of seafarers and townspeople bustling about on the traditional business that takes place at any port.

But Port Vell fell into disuse over the generations. Its warehouses fell empty, its railroads less traveled, its industrial buildings grew quiet.

In the ultra-fashionable neighborhood along Passeig de Gracia stands one of the most unusual examples of Barcelona architecture - or anywhere else in the world: Casa Mila, otherwise known as La Pedrera.

The first name is drawn from the patron who commissioned renowned architect Antonio Gaudi to build what became an apartment complex.

The work began in 1906, sponsored by one of Barcelona's most wealthy citizens, Pedro Mila i Camps.

La Boqueria, Mercat de Sant Josep, St. Joseph's Market.... Whatever name you use to describe it the sights and smells will be the same. This bustling conglomeration of food stalls, restaurants and tapas bars is one of Barcelona's most often visited attractions. That last fact is all the more interesting since relatively few tourists seek fresh produce on their wanderings.

Although, Barcelona is famous for its successful football team there are several other reasons as well for its popularity. It is one of the most charming travel destinations of the world. You can get all the pleasures of life in this historical city. It is capital of Catalonia province and is connected to the world with its famous three huge airports.

From Tarifa it is feasible to get a view of Africa. Apart from this in the southernmost part of Europe there is Spain from where it is possible to get a view of Africa. People from Europe, America and Britain flock in numbers because of the landscape of the country. People generally tend to have a great time while travelling in Spain. It is diverse and has a blend of different cultures also.