jueves, 13 de junio de 2013

BARCELONA: MURA

The road from the village of Pont de Vilomara to Mura, the last ten kilometers of our journey, was narrow and winding. However, it was worth driving those kilometers because we enjoyed a lot walking around the beautiful cobbled streets of Mura, a small village of stone houses with a fantastic Romanesque church. Mura is also the entrance to the Natural Park of Sant Llorenç del Munt i l'Obac. So you can also enjoy routes in this splendid protected natural environment.


Romanesque church of Mura
On the right you can see the romanesque church of Sant Martí in Mura


The places I liked the most of Mura were:

  • Environment of Mura
  • Cobbled Streets in Mura
  • Romanesque church of Sant Martí
  • Chapel of Sant Antoni
  • Gorja del Pare



Recommended route in Mura
Recommended route in Mura

Environment of Mura


Medieval village of Mura
Mura is located in a very beautiful natural environment, next to the Sant Llorenç del Munt i l'Obac Natural Park

Cobbled streets in Mura


Lovely village of Mura in Barcelona
Here we began to walk along the streets of Mura


Restaurant in Mura
Cafe Restaurant Laika in Mura near Barcelona


Typical street in Mura
Beautiful street in Mura


Beautiful place in Mura
Another cobbled street in Mura


Beautiful place in Mura
But, unlike the other streets we saw in Mura, this one has vaulted sections


Beautiful street in Mura
This street is one of the places I liked the most in Mura



Beautiful street in Mura
As you can see, we took some pictures in this place of Mura



Stoned street in Mura
Taking pictures of the beautiful streets of Mura


Sant Marti romanesque church in Mura
Bell tower of Sant Martí romanesque church in Mura


Sant Martí Romanesque Church



Sant Marti romanesque church in Mura
Sant Marti romanesque church in Mura


Sant Marti romanesque church in Mura
Doorway of Sant Martí church, where you can see a romanesque tympanum



Tympanum of Sant Marti romanesque church in Mura
A closer view of the tympanum of Sant Marti romanesque church in Mura



Doorway of Sant Marti romanesque church in Mura
Doorway of Sant Marti romanesque church in Mura


Apse of Sant Martí romanesque church in Mura
Apse of Sant Martí romanesque church in Mura

Sant Antoni Chapel


Sant Antoni Chapel in Mura
Sant Antoni chapel in Mura

Gorja del Pare


Gorja del Pare in Mura
After a short walk we got there in Gorja del Pare


Gorja del Pare in Mura
Waterfall of Gorja del Pare in Mura


Gorja del Pare in Mura
Gorja del Pare is probably the most beautiful place I visited in Mura


Gorja del Pare in Mura
A last picture of Gorja del Pare in Mura


Other fantastic places you can also visit near Barcelona are:



Besides, If you like medieval architecture, you could be interested in visiting the following beautiful villages in Catalonia:






sábado, 8 de junio de 2013

BARCELONA: ORENETA PARK

The Castell de l'Oreneta park is a large wooded area, which has become the link with the hills of Collserola, the access to the wood which penetrates the city. The park was opened to the public in 1978 and conserves, almost intact, the original Mediterranean vegetation.

This park is actually a perfect place to spend the day with the kids. Therefore, when you visit the park, it is worth planning a whole day out. It is an excursion through woods in the city, where urban planning has improved the network of paths, built rest areas, children's playgrounds – the largest with table tennis tables – and picnic areas.

The most interesting attractions of Castell de l'Oreneta park are:

  • Picnic area and Cafeteria
  • A ride on the miniature steam train
  • A pony rides for children
  • In the summer, there is the public swimming pool, Can Caralleu, right by the park
  • Imposing Carob tree in the higher areas of the park
  • An enormous eucalyptus and a fantastic Santa Lucia cherry
  • Fantastic views of Barcelona




 Oreneta Park in Barcelona
Castell de l'Oreneta park in Barcelona


Map of Oreneta Park



Map of Oreneta Park in Barcelona
Map of Castell de l'Oreneta park in Barcelona


Playground in Oreneta Park



Oreneta Park in Barcelona
Children playground in Castell de l'Oreneta park


Picnic Area and Cafeteria in Oreneta Park



Oreneta Park in Barcelona
Apart from  Picnics areas, in Castell de l'Oreneta park in Barcelona there is also a cafeteria where you can get spit-roast chicken or other meals and snacks, and it is open longer hours in spring and summer.


Railway Station in Oreneta Park


Since 1981, there has been a miniature railway, which covers a route of 635m. The railway has its own main station and crew, and its rolling stock includes 11 locomotive engines and three carriages. It is without a doubt the Parc de l’Oreneta’s star attraction.


Railway station
Railway station in Oreneta Park



Trains in Oreneta Park
Trains in Oreneta Park



Parc de l'Oreneta in Barcelona
Waiting for the train in Oreneta Park


Oreneta Park in Barcelona
One of the locomotive engines you can see in Oreneta Park


Oreneta Park in Barcelona
I liked more this locomotive engine than the previous one in Oreneta Park



Railway of Oreneta Park in Barcelona

Wayside station in Castell de l'Oreneta park in Barcelona


Railway of Oreneta Park in Barcelona
The miniature train in the Parc del Castell de l'Oreneta is one of the best scale models, and best equipped, in Europe.

Railway of Oreneta Park in Barcelona
The route is 636m with three wide tracks, goes through three tunnels, over two bridges and a metallic viaduct, and there is a main station and a wayside station. On Sundays, visitors to the park can ride on the train between eleven in the morning and two in the afternoon.


Pony Stables



Oreneta Park in Barcelona
A Pony ride is a funny attraction for children in Castell de l'Oreneta park


Oreneta Park in Barcelona
Path near the Pony Stables


Views from Oreneta Park


The higher areas of the park offer exceptional panoramic views of Barcelona, from Sant Adrià de Besòs all the way to Prat de Llobregat.


Twin towers in the Olympic Village of Barcelona from Castell de l'Oreneta Park 


Pedralbes Monastery from Oreneta Park
Pedralbes Monastery from Castell de l'Oreneta Park in Barcelona



Tibidabo from Oreneta Park
Tower of Collserola and Tibidabo from Castell de l'Oreneta Park in Barcelona



Below you have some useful information in case you are interested in visit this park.

  • Address: Montevideo, 45
  • How to get there: Bus 66.
  • Website: www.bcn.cat/parcsijardins


More fantastic parks you can enjoy in Barcelona are:


Finally, clicking on the next link you will find links to other beautiful places in Barcelona.