Barcelona blog

The Barcelona breakwater

Dusk at the Rompeolas, Barcelona’s breakwater, in the 1950s. Sadly, the rough, unfriendly eatery here was demolished in the 1990s as the city embraced modernity, but you can still walk along to the end, talking in the sea air, the men with their rods and cormorants sunning themselves among the rocks.

The Rompeolas is an essential place in the social history of the city, though today it has lost much of its magic. It was a place to drive out with your girl and make love in your tiny SEAT 600. Many people born in the city in the 1950s and 60s are said to have been conceived here. Later, in the 1980s, Barcelona singer Loquillo immortalized it in his best (only good?) song El Rompeolas:

Leer

Barceloneta, History of Barcelona | Tags: old photos of Barcelona, Social history of Barcelona, Songs about Barcelona, The Rompeolas|

Barceloneta fishing boats

A remarkable photo of Barceloneta beach at the end of the 19th century. Compare with this painting by Picasso.

• More old photos of Barcelona here
  

Barceloneta, History of Barcelona | Tags: Barcelona beach, Barcelona fishing fleet, Barcelona sea, fishing in Barcelona, old images of Barcelona, old images of Barceloneta|

Barceloneta Beach by Picasso

Barceloneta Beach by Pablo Picasso, 1896 - Oil on canvas - 24.,4 x 34 cm - MPB 110.073.  Note the now-disappeared fishermen’s cottages, and factory chimneys. Picasso lived in the city as a young man between 1895 and 1904.

• Picasso in Barcelona (Bcn.net). He said of Barcelona “There is where it all began… There is where I understood how far I could go“
• ” Picasso thrived in the city, regarding it in times of sadness or nostalgia as his true home.” (Wikipedia)

Art, Barcelona painters, Barceloneta, History of Barcelona, Paintings of Barcelona | Tags: Barcelona beach, old images of Barcelona, old images of Barceloneta, Picasso in Barcelona, quotes about Barcelona|

The old port of Barcelona

View of Barcelona in the 17th century?. Note the wharf and fishermen’s cottages leading to the sand island of Maians, the  beginning of the building of Barceloneta. More here

Barceloneta, History of Barcelona, Places in Barcelona | Tags: Barcelona harbour, Barcelona maritime history, illa de Maians, isla de Maians, island of Maians, old images of Barcelona, old images of Barceloneta, port of Barcelona, views of Barcelona harbour|

Best rooftop bar-restaurant in Barcelona

La Miranda Del Museo is my favourite rooftop bar-restaurant in Barcelona. It is located between Barceloneta and the Gothic Quarter in the Palau de Mar, the only building which still survives from Barcelona’s Old Port. The first three floors of the building are taken up by the Museu de Historia de Catalunya. Take the lift up to the fourth floor. Superb views of Barcelona harbour, Montjuic and Tibidabo.

Mediterranean cusine specialised in seafood. A reasonably-priced lunch menu is available during the week. Cafeteria service is also offered during museum hours. A great place to admire the city with a coffee.

Details

• Address: Plaza Pau Vila, 3
  4th Floor, Attic
  08039 Barcelona
• Directions: Metro: L4 Barceloneta
• Prices (restaurant): €31 to 40
  
• Open: Tuesday-Saturday
• Telephone: 93 225 5007

Barceloneta, Bars, Directory, Food in Barcelona, Gothic Quarter, Interesting bars in Barcelona, Places in Barcelona, Restaurants in Barcelona | Tags: Barcelona's Old Port, Palau de Mar, restaurant with views of Barcelona harbour|