If this is glamorous, nothing better to shop around for the district of Sarria-Sant Gervasi in Barcelona, the upper area of the city, former enclave of the Catalan bourgeoisie and still living in much of the moneyed classes of the city.This residential area has a charming blend of tradition and luxury are reflected in their beautiful houses, plazas, shops, green spaces, and some narrow streets that are combined with prestigious educational and health institutions, and some of the best pastry shops in the City Barcelona.
It is situated north of Barcelona in the foothills of the Sierra de Collserola, and consists of two villages that were located on the outskirts of the city (hence the middle name).
Its origins
Sarria was a town of second homes for the Catalan bourgeoisie, who marched in the city during the summer to go for cooler places at the foot of the mountain. This is how the early twentieth century became one of the richest centers and towns in the area of influence of Barcelona.
Over the years, the exclusivity and comfort continue to characterize this demarcation which concentrates the highest percentage of quality equipment and home automation systems in buildings.
Modernisme
Many buildings of Sarria-Sant Gervasi are heirs of Modernisme movement, golden age of great aesthetic significance that occurred between 1880 and 1930.
Sponsored by a cultured bourgeoisie and sensitive to art, architects such as Antoni Gaudí, Lluís Domènech i Montaner and Josep Puig i Cadafalch, developed concepts based constructive nature that broke with traditional criteria.
With the Catalan modernist style were built spacious homes, spacious and high ceilings. It is easy to see, among its decorative motifs, shapes of birds, butterflies, leaves and flowers and colored ceramic ornaments on the cornices and wrought iron bars on windows and balconies.
Attractions
Royal Monastery of Santa Maria de Pedralbes (Montevideo, 14)
It is considered one of the jewels of Catalan Gothic. Emphasizes the Capella de Sant Miquel, the cloister, the tomb of Queen Elisenda and the chapel ofSant Miquel in which you can see several paintings by Ferrer Bassa.
The Museum-Monastery of Pedralbes was opened in 1983. The building is one of the best exponents of Catalan Gothic.The set includes the church and monastery, which revolves around the spacious three-storey cloister surrounded by the main rooms: the bedroom, the refectory, chapter house, the abbey and the day cells.
Palacio Real (Diagonal, 686)
It stays where His Majesty the King when he visits the city.
It was the royal residence between 1919 and 1929. It is open to the public since 1937 and are located inside the Museum of Decorative Arts and Ceramics. Among other supplies, such museum exhibits include antique furniture andCatalan pieces, Arab and works by Picasso and Miro. Behind the palace is the entrance to the Finca Güell.
Blue Tram (John F. Kennedy Square)
A true gem on rails. It is the oldest tram in Europe. It has the same route and wagons when it opened in 1901 and has never stopped serving the public. Originally built in a project to develop the slopes of Tibidabo (the highest point of the Sierra de Collserola). Currently on a gap of 93 meters and a distance of 1276 meters (excluding the access ramp to garage) that across the street from Plaza Tibidabo is John F. Kennedy to the Plaça del Doctor Andreu.
Science Museum of Barcelona (Isaac Newton, 26)
He was awarded recently by the European Museum Forum for its "spirit of renewal, creativity and beauty." It is known as Cosmocaixa and was born with the intention of being one of the most modern museums and "democratic" Europe. It is designed by the architects Esteve and Robert Terradas, is divided into several plants containing eight main thematic blocks.
This is one of the most unique works the upper area of the city. For its size does not go unnoticed, nor its historical mark. He who today is one of science museums country's best known, was once an asylum for the blind
Park Güell (Olot, 7)
Great garden designed by the architect Antoni Gaudí, the greatest exponent of Catalan Modernism, commissioned by Count Eusebi Guell. Built between1900and 1914, emphasizes the integration of architecture with nature, its entry into the bottom of the mountain, their flags with organizational structures, their steps with the emblematic dragon, the hall of hundred columns, viaducts and the monument Calvary.
House Tàpies (Saragossa, 0057)
Located in the old town of Putxet, is a radical treatment on the outside contrasts with the almost oriental air inside. Excel library isolated from the rest of the house of a terrace.
Finca Güell (Pedrables, 7)
Gaudí's work, ands an enclosure by an aesthetic ornate wrought iron gate with an original dragon flanked by two pavilions for stables and riding school on your right, and the porter's lodge on your left. The interior is now the Gaudí Chair(-UPC
Tibidabo (Pl Tibidabo, 3-4)
It is the highest peak in the Sierra de Collserola (512 meters) and is popular for its views over the city of Barcelona and the countryside. At the top there are several buildings, among which the church Sagrat Cor Collserola Tower and an amusement park.