Articles in ‘Gràcia’

Best cybercafé in Gràcia

For my money the best cybercafé in Gracià and one of the nicest in Barcelona is CiberVirreina. It is next to to Plaza Virreina on Carrer Asturias. Fast internet access from quality computers.  Webcams and headsets available.  All computers have a usb point.  Wifi is also available for your own laptop. I spend some time here. Nine on the morn, till one at night.

Details

c/ Asturies 78,
Pl Virreina - Gracia

Tel: 93 368 5770
cibervirreina@yahoo.com

Nearest Metro:
Fontana L3, Joanic L4

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La Piadina

La Piadina serves excellent takeaway piadinas. They make a good change from pizzas and bocadiillos. Ugly is my favouirite.

Address: C de Santa Creu 3. Street is off Plz Virreina by the church.

Best takeaway bars in Barcelona, Directory, Gràcia | Tags: |

Secondhand books in Barcelona

Hibernian Books is the biggest -and as far as I know with the demise of Elephant Books- the only secondhand English Bookshop in Barcelona. They claim to stock 30,000 titles. They have a very small section of new books.

  • Address C/Monseny 17, Gràcia. Metro Fontana.
  • Opening times: Monday: 16:00 to 20:30, Tuesday to Saturday: 10:30 to 20:30

Website here

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The last dairy of Barcelona




I love the idiosyncrasy of many of the small shops in Barcelona. One of my recent favourites is a lovely little shop selling dairy products in the centre of Gràcia, in Carrer Torrijos, just up from the market. The establishment was last functioning dairy (vaquería) in Barcelona. Changes in public health laws took away the cows some 25 years ago, but the old livestock stalls can still be seen today amongst the clutter of the shopkeeper’s storeroom. Many Barcelonans over thirty odd can still remember going  with their mothers to buy milk fresh from the udder right in the centre of the city. In my mind, the place should be protected as part of the city’s heritage, but is under threat from the owners of the building.

Animals in Barcelona, Gràcia, Interesting shops in Barcelona, Shops | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , |

Casa Vicens




Casa Vicens (1883-1889) is a wonderful whimsical building with some lovely details. I particularly like the tilework and the dragons. It was the first family residence designed by Gaudí, and is considered his first important work. It was built for industrialist Manuel Vicens, who depending on the source was either a stockbroker or tile manufacturer. The building was added to the UNESCO World Heritage Site “Works of Antoni Gaudí” in 2005. See Google Map

Casa Vicens (Wikipedia) The building shows several influences, most notably the Moorish (or Mudéjar) influence, particularly evident at the top. The house is constructed of undressed stone, rough red bricks, and colored ceramic tiles in checkerboard and floral patterns. The owner, Manuel Vicens, was the owner of a brick and tile factory, so the ceramic tiles pay tribute to his employment. The yellow, zinnia-flowered tile, designed by Gaudí, was manufactured by Vicens. Rooftop towers are reminiscent of Moorish architecture. Because the house is a private residence, its interior cannot be visited. Nevertheless, the house is generally open to “neighbours and citizens” on Saint Rita’s Day, May 22.

Location

Carrer Carolines, no. 24. Metro Fontana. L3

See also

Architecture, Buildings of Barcelona, Gràcia, Places in Barcelona | Tags: , , , , , , |

Parc de la Creueta del Coll

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The Creueta del Coll park is a short walk from Parc Guell. It was originally a quarry. There is a small lake in the centre of the park with an island which in summer is turned into an outdoor swimming pool. It is also home to one of two sculptures in Barcelona by Eduardo Chillida entitled Elogi de l’aigua - In Praise of Water. As you can see from the photo, the park has great views of Barcelona. . There is also an interesting hotpotch of informal housing on the park’s northern edge.

Address. C/Mare de Déu del Coll. Transport Metro Penitents

Around the web

  • Europa-cities Urban development in practice – that’s what the Parc Creueta del Coll represents. It is situated in the districts Gracia and Horta and stands in place of an old abandoned granite quarry called Pedrera del Coll. The park was opened in 1987 when the Olympics were being plabbed for and the Non Urbanisme movement by the project of the designers Martorell, Bohigas and Mackay and covers about 1.7 hectares.
  • A visit to the Parc de la Creueta del Coll

Gràcia, Parks of Barcelona | Tags: , , , , , , , , , |

Khan Kaffrun

I had an enjoyable dinner last night in Khan Kaffrun which specialises in authentic Syrian and Lebanese food with a hint of Greece thrown in. The restaurant is run by a very friendly Lebanese family, and is cheap, cheerful and very good quality, not an easy combination to find in Barcelona. Dishes include standard Arabic fare including humous, mutabal, labné, fatush (Lebanese salad), and cheese and meat arayes, and Greek mousaka. Highly recommended.

Price: 10-20 euros

Address:

Carrer del Torrent de Les Flors, 39, Gràcia. Metro Joanic

Tel.: 93 284 37 41

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