Barcelona the city of modernism, an ideal place to study

With its impeccable urban layout and its incomparable architecture, beauty and culture, Barcelona raises passions. Gaudí’s work, museums, concerts, FC Barcelona matches turn this city always looking at the sea into an adventure.

In “Barna” as known by its inhabitants, it is a must to visit the Sagrada Familia, the most important unfinished masterpiece of the renowned architect of Bacelona’s modernism Antonio Gaudí. It is a catholic temple of neo-gothic style started in 1882. Gaudí who took over this project in 1883 and devoted to it the last 15 years of his life, gave importance to its tall cone-shaped towers and curves with the intention of imitating nature. But Gaudi’s modernism was not only applied to its architecture. The Parc Guell is an extraordinary example. Resting on the Carmel hill, it was a craving of the entrepreneur Eusebi Güell who contracted Gaudí to build a great compound with luxury homes and gardens. The project floundered and the Town Hall turned it into a public park in 1920.

There are more than one hundred buildings built by Gaudí and his contemporaries that join this ravishing urban route. Many of them are located at Barrio de Gracia and Avenida Diagonal. Casa Batló by Gaudí, Casa Amatller by Josep Puig, Casa Lleó Morera by Lluís Domènech, Pedrera and Casa Milá, are some musts.

Another unforgettable route is the famous Ramblas a nice 1.3km walk that connects Plaza de Cataluña with the ancient port of the city. In this same walk you can discover the motliest street musicians, flower stands, terraces…even mimes and living statues that try to impact on the great diversity of bystanders when they are given money. From Rambla de Canaletes at the highest part to Rambla de Santa Mònica, the walker strolls around Rambla de los Estudios named after the former location of the University and also known as Rambla de los Pájaros given its closeness to the ancient Mercado de los Pájaros; through the colourful and perfumed Rambla de las Flores next to the mythic Mercado de la Boquería; through Rambla del Centro or Rambla de los Capuchinos to access the Gran Teatro Liceo, the Palacio Güell or the nearby Plaza Real.

At Playa de la Barceloneta, former fishermen town you have to witness the sunset having a drink at one of its beach bars. When the night falls, it is a must to enjoy the tapas offered at the restaurants of the Barrio Gótico, where you can even find Irish pubs. Indeed, to taste the new Catalan cuisine, it is necessary to visit El Born, the quartier that is home of the fantastic Palau de la Música Catalana and which was owned by the nobility. Today it is a sophisticated space full of galleries and small museums populated by a considerable artistic community.

And these are only a few hints of Barcelona. If you study in Barcelona you will have plenty of opportunities, cultural plans and places to discover. Universidad Abat Oliba of Barcelona offers many studies and scholarships for students. Do you want to live the CEU experience?