I will bring you back to Barcelona and some of its monumental sights that have been briefly mentioned in previous posts but feel needs a post of their own. I will update this post with new text and links, Let me tell you briefly about the Avenida Reina Maria Cristina and the Venetian towers leading to Montjuic in Barcelona, Autonomous Community of Catalunya, kingdom of Spain. Hope you enjoy the post as I
The Avenida de la Reina María Cristina or Avinguda (cat) is located in the Sants-Montjuïc district, It is located between Plaza de España and Plaza de Carles Buïgas, where the Magic Fountain of Montjuic is located. It was urbanized in view of the celebration of the International Exposition of Barcelona in 1929. It is dedicated to María Cristina de Habsburgo-Lorena, second wife of king Alfonso XII and mother of king Alfonso XIII.
The Reina María Cristina Avenue is at the foot of the Montjuïc mountain. It starts from the Plaza de España (see post) and runs in a straight line until the confluence of the avenues Francesc Ferrer i Guàrdia and Rius i Taulet, where a series of squares such as Carles Buïgas, Josep Puig i Cadafalch and de las Cascadas that lead to the Palacio Nacional, which dominates the avenue from the heights.
The Venetian Towers at the beginning in the Plaza de España, in a iconographically style , they take the model of the Campanile de San Marcos (Venice). With a square floor plan, the towers are 47 meters high, which are divided into four sections: the base of artificial stone ashlars, the exposed brick shaft and an upper gallery, made up of artificial stone columns, on which the top pavilioin is covered in copper, After the restoration, on October 25-26, 2014, the interior of the towers was opened to the public for the first time, on the occasion of the 48h Open House Barcelona festival. Currently, the interior of the towers can be visited once a year, coinciding with the aforementioned architectural contest. Webpage: https://www.48hopenhousebarcelona.org/es/
On both sides of the Reina Maria Cristina avenue were the main buildings of the International Exposition such as the Palace of the Dresses, the Palace of Communications and Transportation, the Palace of Metallurgy, Electricity and Power, and the Palace of Projections. This architectural complex currently constitutes the Barcelona Trade Fair or FIRA, next to the palaces of Alfonso XIII and Victoria Eugenia, located next to the Magic Fountain. Next to the avenue was the Plaza de la Mecánica ,currently the Plaza del Universo, in the center of which was the Torre de la Luz, a light source called the Jardin de Agua-Luz, and the sculpture El trabajo. A bit on the main buildings there:
The Palace of Communications and Transportation from a project from 1926, it presents a neoclassical style line inspired by French academic architecture.
The Palace of Dresses or work ,initially called the Palace of Pedagogy, Hygiene and Social Institutions. It presents an irregular plan arranged around a central space with a large roundabout topped by an oriental-style dome.
The Palace of Metallurgy, Electricity and Power Forces is a rectangular form, a large polyhedral dome stands out in the central part, on a drum and with a lantern, with a façade featuring a large classical pediment decorated with fresco paintings and with allegorical sculptures.
The Palace of Projections was demolished after the International Exposition, the current Palacio del Congreso or Congress Palace was built in its place as of now.
At the end of the Queen Maria Cristina avenue and at the foot of the mountain, the famous Magic Fountain of Montjuïc was built, which amazed the public with its fantastic play of light and water jets. Even today it is an emblematic work of Barcelona, where pyro-musical shows are usually held at the Merced festivals and every weekend of the year they are launched in a recital of water, light, color and music. As a prelude to the great fountain, a small waterfall was placed on the access staircase from the Queen Maria Cristina avenue to the Plaza de Carles Buïgas square, located on three levels separated by cup-shaped pots.
The easiest is the Metro station at Plaza España or Plaça Espanya on lines 1 and 3, and several bus lines including the airport express that leaves you off at the square easy walk over to the Venetian towers and the start of the Avenida de la Reina Maria Cristina.
The city of Barcelona on the Reina Maria Cristina avenue : https://www.barcelona.cat/lamerce/es/avinguda-maria-cristina
The Barcelona tourist office on the Magic Fountain : https://www.barcelonaturisme.com/wv3/en/page/614/font-magica.html
There you go folks, these are wonderful architectural buildings and modern history of the city of Barcelona with plenty to see, eat ,shop and especially wonderful walks for the whole family. Again, hope you enjoy the brief introduction to the Avenue Reina Maria Cristina and the Venetian towers of Barcelona as I.
And remember ,happy travels, good health, and many cheers to all !!!
Paris1972-Versailles2003 