Story: The Art Lover's Barcelona

Barcelona, like many European cities, is home to many museums filled with incredible works of art: the Picasso museum, housing many pieces from the artist's Blue Period, and the Gaudi museum, featuring furniture designed by the master, are just two examples. What makes Barcelona different from other European art centers is that many of the most interesting works are located outside a museum, built into the city streets. Walking tours through the city all contain notable pieces and installations, no matter the focus of one's studies, whether it is architecture, medieval art, contemporary art, or even the Modernistas for which Spain is famous.

A tour of Barcelona's art should begin with the Museu Nacional d'Art de Catalunya in the Monjuic district. The museu is the equivalent of any major art museum in the breadth and depth of its collection. There is some emphasis placed on the medieval collections but plenty of modern art is represented as well.

Other must-see museums include the above mentioned Picasso museum in the La Ribera district and the Museu d'Art Contemporani de Barcelona in El Ravel. However, the best art in Barcelona is outside.

Most people will be familiar with La Sagrada Familia, Gaudi's famous and still uncompleted cathedral, set in the center of the city. Work began on Gaudi's masterpiece in 1882 and should be completed in 2017, if the original plans are followed. For myself, the evidence of Gaudi's genius can be most easily seen in the details of the structure. Whether it is in the sculptures that line the walls or the subtle twisting of the columns inside, the work is obviously a cathedral and yet unlike any other in Europe.

Just a few blocks over from the cathedral is another Gaudi design, this time of an entire park. Parc Guell is located on the side of a hill in the neighborhood of Gracia. The park is beautiful. Art lovers can marvel at the detail and sense of fantasy inherent in the park's design, while others can enjoy the natural beauty of the park's trees and walkways. The Gaudi museum and gift shop are both located inside the park, as are several statues and even a couple of houses. And, of course, the view of the city from the top of the park is almost unequaled.

If one travels a straight line from the park's entrance, through the city, down Las Ramblas, to Port Vell, the marina, Barcelona's true appreciation of art becomes readily apparent. From the more modern designs in Gracia to the ancient structures in El Ravel, art is everywhere. At the base of Las Ramblas stands the Mirado de Colon, a tower in honor of Christopher Columbus, ringed with statues, and boasting a small observation platform at the top. From the tower, along the marina, Port Vell boasts several free standing works - among them the Mariscal Crayfish and Roy Lichtenstein's Face.

At the end of Port Vell is the district known as Barceloneta, where one can find the wide exapanse of the Playas de la Barceloneta y Mar Bella, a wide expanse of beach with several works, like "L'estel ferit," placed directly on the beach itself.

Continuing around the curve of the city will lead one to the Parc de la Ciutadella with its Arc d'Triomf and Museu Zoologia. The long road leading from the Arc to the Museu passes through a peaceful park filled with birds and statuary.

This is only one small example of the sights available. A tour like I have described would exhaust anyone if done in one day; a tour like this would let a tourist see numerous famous and lesser-known works and yet would still be skipping over so many I have not mentioned. Barcelona is a city for walkers and should be enjoyed as such. Walks through any of Barcelona's districts will surrender forth many more works and installations for those willing to find them.

A highly recommended and valuable asset is Rough Guide Directions: Barcelona. The book focuses on providing the reader with just the sort of information I've endeavored to provide in this essay: tours and sights that any art lover would be thrilled to see.

Barcelona is a beautiful, artistic city, and should be on every art lovers must-see list.