BARCELONA MONTJUÏC: CAIXAFORUM

CaixaForum, the social and cultural center of the Obra Social "la Caixa", is located in one of the main modernist buildings in Barcelona: the Casaramona textile factory. Located at the foot of the mountain of Montjuïc beside the Magic Fountain and el Pueblo Espanyol, this building is a unique textile factory designed by the architect Puig i Cadafalch, one of the three most representative Catalan architects of modernism together with Domenech i Montaner and Antoni Gaudí.

Casaramona textile factory, built in the early 20th century, is a unique piece of industrial Catalan modernist architecture and it was one of the first buildings built in Montjuïc.

The modernist building of Casaramona factory in Montjuïc has two towers, which served as water reservoirs for fire protection

The construction system used was built brick following the traditional Catalan construction system. The shapes achieved with this material, in particular the termination of the facades, the wrought iron elements and a limited use of stone and ceramics (in the towers and in a mosaic with the owner's initials) embellish the final design

A detail of one of the towers of Casaramona textile factory in Montjuïc

CaixaForum offers a wide range of social, cultural and educational projects. Moreover CaixaForum has become one of the most dynamic cultural spaces in Barcelona in which you can visit for free exhibitions of ancient, modern and contemporary art.

You can find useful information about Caixaforum in the following website:

• obrasocial.lacaixa.es

Besides I would recommend the following beautiful places in Montjuïc:

• Montjuïc Castle
• Views of Barcelona from Montjuïc
• Olympic Ring
• Palauet Albéniz and Joan Maragall gardens
• MNAC (Museu Nacional d'Art de Catalunya)
• Poble Espanyol
• Las Arenas Shopping Center
• Montjuïc Magic Fountain

Of course you can visit modernist masterpieces in Barcelona designed by Antoni Gaudí like:

• Sagrada Familia
• Casa Milà (also known as La Pedrera)
• Palau Güell
• Park Güell
• Colònia Güell
• Casa Vicens
• Col·legi de les Teresianes
• Casa Calvet
• Casa Bellesguard and Viaduct
• Pabellons Güell

Besides, other modernist buildings you can visit in Barcelona are:

• Hospital de Sant Pau
• Palau de la Música Catalana
• La Boqueria
• Casa Fuster
• Casa Terrades or "Casa de les Punxes"
• Casa Thomas
• Casa Amatller
• Casa Lleó i Morera
• Casa Martí (Restaurant els Quatre Gats)

Finally, clicking on the next link you will find more beautiful places in Barcelona, among them more nice places to visit in Montjuïc and other fantastic modernist buildings in Barcelona.

BARCELONA MONTJUIC: CONCERTS FOR FREE

Nits dels Cims a Montjuïc is another interesting option for music lovers to enjoy Barcelona summer nights at the top of Montjuïc Mountain. There, a wide variety of concerts take place next to Alcaide Viewpoint and the Montjuïc Castle.

Nits dels Cims a Montjuïc cycle concert of concerts takes place next to Montjuïc Castle

From the jazz to the electronic music, going for the tango, the fado, the salsa, the African rhythms and dj’s sessions. All styles are welcome to this new cycle of concerts, which will make you dance outdoors for free the summer nights on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays. The concerts start at 8 pm and finishes around 2 am.

The trees of this picture viewed from the Montjuïc Castle show the location of El Mirador del Alcaide

You have the next appointment with the music under the moonlight in a beautiful setting on July 15th. From 8 pm, Xavi Reija Trio's jazz will lead the night to the rhythm of its 'power jazz’ more personal. It will be followed by a turntables session performed by the Dj DirtYfunkYsoul.


Useful Information

• How to arrive: Bus 55, 193, 50. Telefèric Montjuïc
• Further information visiting the Barcelona cultura website

Until next September, do not miss the 'Nits dels Cims a Montjuïc', they are the best way to overcome the heat for those who live the summer in the city.

Besides Montjuïc is a large green area in Barcelona perfect to walk, to spend a sunny sunday morning or to enjoy the fantastic views of Barcelona from the castle or one of its viewpoints.

I would recommend the following route to discover Montjuïc:

• Montjuïc Castle
• Views of Barcelona from Montjuïc
• Montjuïc Park
• Olympic Ring
• Palauet Albéniz and Joan Maragall gardens
• MNAC (Museu Nacional d'Art de Catalunya)
• Poble Espanyol
• Las Arenas Shopping Center
• Montjuïc Magic Fountain

Other interesting routes in Barcelona are:

• Raval Route
• Gothic Quarter route
• Modernist Route
• Marina and Beach of Barcelona

BARCELONA FOR FREE: SUMMER THEATRE

Barcelona has a wide offer of free activities related to culture. One of them, which has to do with theater, is done next to Estació del Nord, among the lime-trees of El Parc de l'Estació del Nord.

There, a group of actors perform every year a play of Shakespeare previously chosen. This time they give us the opportunity to see A Midsummer Night's Dream.

First folio of the play Midsummer Night's Dream, written by William Shakespeare

If you are interested in theatre, you could enjoy watching this Shakespeare’s play for free every day at 7:00pm, from 18th to 31st of July except for Wednesday 20th and 27 th.

- For further information, you can visit the website www.parkingshakespeare.com
- How to arrive:

• Metro L1, stop Arc de Triomf.
• Bus 6, 10, 40, 42 y 54.
• Tram T4, parada Marina.