BARCELONA: BATERIA ANTIAEREA IN SANT PERE MARTIR

Throughout history, the mountain of Sant Pere Màrtir, located in the Park of Collserola, has acted as a strategic point for the defence of Barcelona. During the Spanish Civil War (1936-1939), an anti-aircraft defence point and a radio-telephony centre was set up on the mountain. Moreover, what is now the Casa de les Aigües (water distribution facility) was converted into the headquarters of the soldiers stationed there. 

This radio-telephony centre was set up on Sant Pere Màrtir Moutain during the Spanish Civil War

Franco’s army, aided by the Italian and German air forces, bombed the civil population systematically. In these circumstances, in 1937 the Government of Catalonia decided to build air-raid shelters. The main anti-aircraft defence group in Barcelona was located on the Rovira hill, whereas Sant Pere Màrtir and Montjuïc became support facilities.

An anti-aircraft battery was built on Sant Pere Màrtir comprising three cannons or artillery units to shoot down enemy aircraft. There are still some remains that bear witness to the presence of the reflectors and of the casemate. Two of these defensive platforms are now open to the public and are a testimonial to the fight to defend democracy in Catalonia.

The anti-aircraft defence of Sant Pere Màrtir

The day was lovely, so we enjoyed a lot this route around Sant Pere Màrtir

Tibidabo and Collserola Tower from Sant Pere Màrtir in the Park of Collserola

Broadcast Station in Sant Pere Màrtir

Here was located one of the artillery units of the anti-aircraft battery which was built on Sant Pere Màrtir

Another place where was located an artillery unit of the anti-aircraft battery of Sant Pere Màrtir in Barcelona

And finally, the third place where was located a artillery unit of the anti-aircraft battery of Sant Pere Màrtir in Barcelona

Sant Pere Màrtir in Barcelona

Casa de les Aigües in Sant Pere Màrtir

View of Barcelona from Sant Pere Màrtir in Collserola Park

Camp Nou and Montjuïc from Sant Pere Màrtir in Barcelona

Espai Plaça Mireia in Sant Pere Màrtir

Espai Plaça Mireia is a perfect place in Sant Pere Màrtir to have a drink

If you are interested in this guided tour to know more about the anti-aircraft defense or battery of Sant Pere Màrtir, next you have some useful information:

- Guided tours take place the first Sunday in February, March, April, May, June, July, September, October, November and December. Visits can also be rranged for school parties and other groups.

- Meeting point and time: Mireia Square in Esplugues de Llobregat at 11:00

- Visits must be arranged in advance at the Can Tinturé Museum

• Tel no.: +34 93 470 02 18
• e-mail: museucantinture@esplugues.cat

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:

• Montserrat
• Castelldefels
• Sitges
• Sant Miquel del Fai
• Sant Pol de Mar

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

• Romanesque churches of La Vall de Boí
• Beget
• Besalú
• Pals and Peratallada
• Sant Pere de Rodes Monastery
• Siurana
• Montblanc
• Poblet Monastery
• Guimerà
• Solsona
• Seu d'Urgell
• Cardona
• Rupit and Tavertet
• Pantà de Sau
• Miravet
• Castellar de N'Hug and Fonts del Llobregat
• Santa Pau

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.

Pony Stables

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

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 Castell de l'Oreneta Park in Barcelona

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:

• Laberint d'Horta Park
• Park Güell
• Ciutadella Park
• Pedralbes Gardens
• Montjuïc - Joan Maragall Gardens
• Montjuïc - Mirador Gardens
• Collserola - Sant Pere Màrtir leisure area
• Collserola - Carretera de les Aigües
• Collserola - Pantà de Vallvidrera
• Torreblanca Park in Sant Feliu de Llobregat
• Can Vidalet Park in Esplugues de Llobregat
• Can Mercader Park in Cornellà de Llobregat

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