Beautiful places of Barcelona and Catalonia: junio 2013

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.

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

Environment 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

Here we began to walk along the streets of Mura

Cafe Restaurant Laika in Mura near Barcelona

Beautiful street in Mura

Another cobbled street in Mura

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

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

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

Taking pictures of the beautiful streets of Mura

Bell tower of Sant Martí romanesque church in Mura

Sant Martí Romanesque Church

Sant Marti romanesque church in Mura

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

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

Doorway of Sant Marti romanesque church in Mura

Apse of Sant Martí romanesque church in Mura

Sant Antoni Chapel

Sant Antoni chapel in Mura

Gorja del Pare

After a short walk we got there in Gorja del Pare

Waterfall of Gorja del Pare in Mura

Gorja del Pare is probably the most beautiful place I visited 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

Castell de l'Oreneta park in Barcelona

Map of Oreneta Park

Map of Castell de l'Oreneta park in Barcelona

Playground in Oreneta Park

Children playground in Castell de l'Oreneta park

Picnic Area and Cafeteria in Oreneta Park

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 in Oreneta Park

Trains in Oreneta Park

Waiting for the train in Oreneta Park

One of the locomotive engines you can see in Oreneta Park

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

Wayside station in Castell de l'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.

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.