Barcelona

My day started with a coffee and croissant at the Mercat de Santa Caterina. The market with its Gaudi inspired wavy, multi-coloured roof is really something and I had a wonderful time wandering around its stalls overflowing with fresh cheese, fruits and produce. I continued on to the nearby 14th century Catedral de Barcelona spruced up with a 19th century neo-Gothic façade depicting a pointed arch over the entrance,  numerous gargoyles and a few bell towers resplendent with winged angels. Inside the Cathedral the nave is ringed with 28 chapels dedicated to various saints and which also serve as supporting buttresses.  In the middle of the nave is a 15th century choir featuring ornately carved stalls. Beneath the altar is a crypt with a marble sarcophagus dedicated to Saint Eulalia, a 13 year old girl, who was martyred by the Romans in 304 AD. To the right of the altar is a peaceful  cloister with its arcaded walkway and lush courtyard containing a pond, a trickling fountain and palm trees. After the Cathedral I visited another 14th century church, the Basilica Santa Maria del Pi, which is an example of a different form of architecture of that period. This church has a single nave covered by a 7 cross-vaulted section, a polygonal or semi-circular apse and a series of chapels on either side. The Basilica also had beautiful oblong stained glass windows while adjacent to it is a lovely garden containing an imposing 177 ft 15th century gothic tower. I next headed back to La Rambla, where I had arranged a private tour of Barcelona's Opera House or Gran Teatre del Liceu with its lovely marble staircase and plush red velvet seats. After the Opera House tour I walked to nearby Palau Guell, a magnificent example of Gaudi's early architectural genius. After all this culture I needed a break so I took the funicular up to Montjuïc, the lofty hill overlooking the Port of Barcelona, where the 18th century Castell or Castle of Montjuïc is located and which served as a fortress protecting Barcelona from invaders. From its thick ramparts one has extensive city views. After my look around the Castle I returned to ground level on the teléferic or cable car and made my way home.