On our way to the Olympic Stadium we passed this building which is a Ethnological Museum. We had a mission in mind so we didn't stop to see exactly what an Ethnological Museum had in it. Could be interesting - perhaps another day.
We did take a little time to explore this lovely garden. This is definitely a come back to place.
Do you think these are more Rosary Beads?
We left the park and continued on our way to the stadium. One thing that was pointeed out to us by one of our tour guides was the fact that the people of Barcelona continually talk about the 1992 Olympics. She explained that the event was a turning point for Barcelona and really put it on the map. Almost all the industry that had been located in Barcelona had left and the city needed something to replace it. The Olympics put Barcelona on the map and it became a major tourist attraction.
The stadium was originally built for the 1929 World Expo, but soon thereafter, played a big part in Barcelona's plan to host the "people's Olympiad." These were to take place in July of 1936 as an alternative to Hitler's Fascist Olympics, which were scheduled for the same summer in Berlin. Spain had planned to boycott those games). But just days before the Barcelona games were to begin, civil war broke out in Spain and the event was canceled. Fifty-some years later, the stadium was updated and expanded for the 1992 Olympics. The Stadium was officially named for the Catalan patriot Lluis Companys i Jover, the left-wing leader who was president when Spain's Civil War began. Company's had pushed for the democratic alternative to Hitler's games; he was later arrested and executed by Franco. ( More on President Compny later in the blog)
The XXV Olympiad, was memorable for several reasons. At the opening ceremonies, an archer dramatically lit the Olympic torch (which you see in this picture), with a flaming arrow. Michael Jordan, Larry Bird, Magic Johnson and the rest of the Basketball "Dream Team" made their appearance. These Olympics also coincided with several turning points in global geopolitics. It was the first Olympics after the fall of the Soviet Union and the first since 1972 without boycotts. Twelve newly independent states sent their athletes as one big Unified Team. These were also the first games in which the post-Apartheid South African team was invited to participate. After the break up of Yugoslavia four teams were sent instead of one and it was the first Olympiad to feature a reunified German team. Bon Jovi, the Rolling Stones and Madonna packed the place.
When we went by this site on our bus tour we thought this was where the Olympic tourch was lit
but learned that it was the Montjuic Communications Tower originally used to transmit Olympic highlights and lowlights around the world.
but learned that it was the Montjuic Communications Tower originally used to transmit Olympic highlights and lowlights around the world.
We wandered around the Olympic area and than happened across the funicular which goes up to the castle on top of Montjuic.
When we got off the funicular we saw the castle and the long wall and immediately started down a path. Well it was the wrong path to get to the castle. We followed the moat around and realized that the path we were on would never lead to the castle so eventually turned around but not before getting some nice views of the port area and the city.
As I mentioned earlier in the blog with regard to the Olympics there was this sign about President Companys.
At 6:20 a.m. on the 15th of October 940, president Companys was taken to the castle's northern or Santa Eulalia graveyard. He bade farewell to the persons who were accompnying him, walked over to the wall, looked without flinching at the execution squad and cried out:"For Catalonia"! Then the voice ordering "aim and fire" was followed by a volley of shots. The officer in charge walked over to him and fired the coup de grace. Companys' body was taken to Montjuic cemetery, where his sisters had purchased a niche to avoid his burial in a mass grave. It was forbidden for his name to be written on it. Indeed, until 1985 the mortal remains of Lluis Companys would not be transferred to the mausoleum of the cemetery called Fossar de la Pedrera, where 2000 of the persons executed immediatey after the end of the Spanish Civil War are laid to rest.
In the last autograph text of president Companys, written on the eve of his court martial, the following may be read: To all those who have wronged me, I grant forgiveness; to all those whom I may have wronged, I request forgiveness. If I am to die, I shall die serenly. No shadow of resentment remains in me. I shall give thanks to God for having bestowed on me such a beautiful death for our ideals. He has wished this destiny for me and I owe Him gratitude for the placidity and serenity which fill me as I contemplate death, whose approach I look upon without fear. My littleness could not hope for a worthier end. For Catalonia and for what it represents of Peace, Justice and Love! Lluis Companys.
We saw these beautiful trails leading down the mountain which would have been fun to take but we were running out of time. We had dinner reservations and tickets for a flamenco show that night. Thiswhole area is use by runners and hikers alike. It's a beautiful place for such activities. In the summer it is the location of an open air cinema.
Archers doing some target practice. As I passed them I was hoping they were good shots. I wouldn't have trusted myself to be aiming at targets with people walking by.
This little butterfly flew down in front of us onto the path and just stopped there and posed for a number of pictures and then when we had finished out photo's he flew off.
We finally got back to our starting point and sure enough had we turned left we would have seen the entrance to the castle right there. Oh well, we enjoyed our mile walk.
The castle while just an empty brick-and-concret shell today offers great city views. It was built in the 18th century with a Vauban-type star fortress design by the central Spanish government to keep an eye on Barcelona and stifle citizen revolt. Until the 20th century the place functioned more to repress the people of Barcelona than to defend them. Being "taken" too Montjuic meant you likely wouldn't be seen again. When the 20th-century dictator Franco was in power, the castle was the site of hundreds of political executions. But in 2010 Spain Prime Minister, keeping a campaign promise, turned over the control of the castle from Spains national government to the city of Barcelona.
The Catalon Flag flies majestically.
A view of one of the two ports in Barcelona. Barcelona is one of the main ports of embarkation for Mediterranean cruises.
Once we got down Montjuic we planned on hopping the metro home. Unfortunately the metro stop was not functioning so they had a bus running to take you to a metro stop. The stop was down the way so we had to change lines on the metro but eventually made our way home just in time to change clothes and head to Placa Reial for dinner . We had a lovely meal at Les Quinze Nits featuring Mediterranean food. Great food and wine for a very reasonable price. We loved it.
We walked across the square and arrived at Tarantos just in time to catch the 2030 show. The tickets had cost us 8 euro's on line ( we later saw a coupon in our discount book for a 5 euro discount.)
Even at 3 Euro's this show was not worth it. Rick Steve's had recommended it in his guide book. It's just a a half hour show and Rick describes it as a "riveting flamenco performance and reliably good performers." It may be that this is the low season so we didn't see the best performers. Actually the man and woman dancers were good, the singer was not good which really distracted from the show.
Flamenco and the Spanish guitar have little to do with Barcelona but are preformed to keep visitors happy. The concept is rather fun it's a small 50 seat theater with a little bar so you can enjoy a beverage while watching the show. For 4 euro's you can get a half bottle of bad wine. Sharon and I have attended a couple of these flamenco shows in the past in other parts of Spain and generally find that the food is not so good the entertainmnet is usually good but it is generally very pricey. We thought this sounded ideal. Great concept - just a bad night maybe.
The best part of the show - the end.
At any rate it was a fun evening. We walked along the Ramblas back to the metro and enjoyed watching the people out for a stroll. The city comes alive at night. FUN!
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