The Palau Guell reopens its doors

The 26th of May was a big day for Barcelona and all lovers of the iconic Barcelona architect, Antoni Gaudí. You probably know the Park Güell and The Sagrada Familia, but now you can now contemplate The Palau Güell another side of this universal genius, and right around the corner from the Hotel Principal.

The Palau Güell is the only example of domestic architecture that Gaudí finished. It is another example of his far-out skill, vision, and genius. The building is a UNESCO World Heritage spot in recognition of its universal artistic value. After a long, careful restoration the Palau Güell was once again opened to the public.

We at the hotel went to the Palau today. The lines were just too long the other days.

And what a restoration it is. The whole thing is magnificent. Ceramics, wrought iron, glass, and wood. A unique living space from the old stables in the basement with its large mushroom-shaped pillars to the roof terrace which gives a fantasy view of Barcelona through its variously shaped chimneys. You have the usual Gaudí touches: twisted metal works, colored windows, ceramic-covered chimneys, most all from local materials. All in his eclectic style which combines the Hispano-Muslim with Art Nouveau.

We took the audiotour which is great, complete with anecdotes about the Güell family, music from the time, etc. This is a must see and is exactly a seven minute walk from the hotel.

Easter in Barcelona

Even Catalonia is not a very "spanish" place, some traditions are the same all around the iberic peninsula. The Holly Week processions are one of them. And just around the corner from Hotel Principal will take place one of the biggest in Barcelona.
All begins the Palm Sunday. Outside the Sant Agustí Church start the "Processó de la burreta" (little donkey procession): a JesusChrist on a donkey image go over the Raval Quartier street.
The easter Friday there is another proccesion, more solemn, making the same way trough the neigborhood. For this walking, the ladies wears black dress and "mantilla", and the men, robe and mask with a purple cross in the chest. Depending on their status inside the "Cofradia", they could use, or not, the "Nazareno" hat (with similar shape than the Ku Klux Klan's, but nothing to do with them).
The procession moves from Sant Agustí to Churh through Hospital Street, Pla de la Boquería, La Rambla, Santa Anna, Portal de l'Angel and then way back to the origen. It begins at 17:00 hrs (Friday).
Thank you for the pictures flickair cotallo-nonocot's

Partying Catalan style

We at the Hotel Principal are very excited about July 18. Our local neighbourhood party, the Raval Festa Major of the Association of Commercial of Sant Pau and Junta de Comerc, sponsored by our business association, will be held just down the street.

Barcelona's many neighbourhood block parties help make our city the warm place it is, both for those of us who live here and those who visit us.There will be everything you need for a great neighbourhood block party: music, food, sparkling wine.

The idea of this festival is to promote dialog between the various groups of our neighbourhood and of course to have a good time. In the morning there will be a Mostra de Puntaires (webers of bobbin lace).In the afternoon cava and good vibrations.

Later a jazz group named The Piano Has Been Drinking and the Aleph Aguilar trio an Afro-Venezuelan jazz fusion trio will perform.There will also be traditional Arabic dance and much, much more.

And you will be doing some good.It is co-sponsored by Doctors without Borders w ho are working to eradicate child malnutrition and the Fundacio Romeo, a local theatre group promoting popular culture.

This is one of the eventos of the Raval Festa Major, which will be celebrated from 16 to 19 July. If you are in Barcelona these days, come join us and help us to celebrate as only the locals can; it should be great fun.