A series of streets, joined together one after the other, that lead from Plaça Catalunya to the sea. The word rambla comes from the Arabic term, ramla, which means a riverbed, and these streets actually used to be a riverbed that channelled the water coming down from Collserola hill. In the 13th century, convents and churches were built on both sides of the Ramblas and the streets were named after these religious buildings. During the course of the 18th century the medieval walls that separated the Barri Gòtic (Gothic Quarter) from Raval district were pulled down, and in 1830 the convents and monasteries were closed.
Plaça Catalunya once stood outside the city walls, between what is now Eixample and Ciutat Vella (Old City). It's an enormous square (50000 square meters), surrounded by huge buildings that house the headquarters of banks and other large companies. You'll find two outstanding sculptures here: Josep Clarà's La Divinidad and Pablo Gargallo's Pastor tocando el caramillo. If you're not a fan of pigeons, steer clear.
This stopover on the way to Montjuïc Mountain used to be the gateway to the city, because the creu coberta (covered cross) lay in this square. It was a Gothic cross that symbolized arrival in Barcelona. Criminals were once hanged in this part of the city, and they remained on display some time in an attempt to dissuade those who arrived from straying from the "path of righteousness". Urbanization of the area began in 1908 and was completed in 1929, the year of the Universal Exposition of Barcelona. In the middle of the square is a fountain designed by Josep Maria Jujol, a Gaudí disciple.
This spectacularly beautiful mountain, located to the north of Barcelona, is one of Catalonia's most important religious sites. The peaks are shaped like fingers pointing to the sky and you'll find an impressive church, monastery and museum on the summit. According to legend, a shepherd found a statue of the Virgin in a cave here and that's why they built the church and monastery on the mountain. The Virgin was black (like many other Romanesque images) and that's why she's known as La Moreneta (the dark one). To get here, take the direct bus to the monastery or an FGC suburban train to Monistrol and then the cable car to the top. It's an easy day trip from Barcelona.
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