At the Basílica de la Sagrada Familia, City of Barcelona, Spain

 On his visit to the city in 1862, Hans Christian Andersen remarked that Barcelona was the “Paris of Spain."

=========================================================================
(in the seaport city of ”Barcelona, the capital of Barcelona province, and of the Catalonia autonomous community in northeastern Spain, is located 90 miles (150 km) south of the French border. Since the late 1970s, cultural life has been revitalized here, This combines with the setting of Barcelona, in between the rugged mountains and the Mediterranean Sea. Throughout its past, the city was much fortified and did not spread far beyond its medieval confines until the 19th century, which contributed to the emergence of suburbs and towns around the city proper. Though Barcelona is windy at times, its protective mountains shield it from the winds that blow out of the north and west. At the core of the city lies the Gothic Quarter. Located between the Ramblas, a series of connected boulevards, going southeastward to the sea, and the Via Laietana, it is a packed maze of narrow streets. The cathedral, episcopal palace, and churches bear witness to Barcelona’s importance as a religious center. The government buildings, like the Palace of the Generalitat (seat of the community of Catalonia), and the Royal Palace, reflect the city’s importance as an administrative capital. The defenses that played a part in the battle for Barcelona during the War of the Spanish Succession (1701–14) were augmented by the builjing of a citadel after the city was taken. By the mid-19th century, the city was bursting at the seams. Plans were devised to extend the city. The area into which the town expanded, now called the Extension, left a clear field of fire from the city walls. Yet, open areas were exploited, causing the density of buildings to triple. The city expanded following the annexation of the old municipalities surrounding Barcelona. Urban sprawl and uncontrolled development during the Francisco Franco era added to the congestion. (The 1992 Olympic Games allowed for some renovation of poorly planned areas.)

+ When it comes to history, art, and architecture in Bareceloia, there is Gaudí’s iconic Basílica de la Sagrada Familia, the Picasso Museum, and the Gothic Quarter. On one side you’ve got three miles of sandy beaches, and on the other, the Serra de Collserola mountains, home to Parc de Collserola,one of the biggest city parks in the world. It’s probably why bike culture’s big here: Over 180 miles of bike lanes make it easy to get around the Catalan capital. For the visitor, the main attraction still tends to be in the city center. The promenade is separated from L’Eixample by the monumental Catalunya Square, and it leads down to the port and the Portal de la Pau Square, where the Christopher Columbus monument stands in commemoration of the discovery of America and the explorer’s announcement of it in Barcelona.

+ The constructin of Antoni Gaudí's famed Sagrada Família (depicted here), was begun in the year 882.