Barcelona Las Ramblas

Originally a small stream, flowing just outside the city, Las Ramblas, Barcelona is one of the most famous districts in Spain.

This often crowded street is popular with tourists and locals, and the main and middle part of La Rambla is pedestrianized and lined with trees. Kiosks sell cold drinks and flower stalls abound as street artists perform to the crowds. Traffic passes on either side of the pedestrian area, and visitors can find plenty of bars, pavement cafés and restaurants along the way.

The history of the Rambla goes back to the 16^th century when convents and a university were built along the river. During the 19^th century the city wall was torn down and the first major buildings were built along the dried up river bed. The Rambla of today is divided into five parts, and each section is named after the original buildings.

Rambla de Canaletes is the first Rambla, which starts at the Plaça de Catalunya, and originates from the 19^th century Canaleta Fountain. A popular expression in Spain is ´he drinks water from Canaletes,´ which means a person is from Barcelona, and according to local legend, if you drink from the fountain you will come back again to Barcelona.

The second Rambla - The Rambla dels Estudis is named after the historic university of Estudis Generals which dates back to the 16^th century. The building was demolished in 1843 and some of the most important buildings are still standing in this area, including the 18^th century Royal Academy of Science and Art, and this building houses the first public clock which ever existed in the city.

The Rambla of St Joseph was named after a convent which was demolished in the mid-1900s and replaced by the Boqueria Market, which sells a wide range of foods, flowers and plants. This part of La Rambla is also well-known as La Rambla de les Flors, as there are so many flower stalls. The Plaça de Boqueria is situated at the end of La Rambla de St Joseph, and features a mosaic by Joan Miró.

If you continue to walk in the direction of the Port Vell, a wooden walkway, now known as the Rambla de Mar or Rambla of the Sea, leads you to Maremàgnum, a complex with shops, movie theatres - including an IMAX theater - and a large aquarium.

La Rambla de Santa Monica is the last Rambla, named after a convent of the same name and now converted into a museum called the Art Centre of Santa Monica. This Rambla leads to the Columbus Roundabout, where a 60m high column is situated, which was built in 1888.

By far the most interesting building in Las Ramblas is the Grand Theatre of Liceu, a building decorated in modernista style. Fire has twice destroyed the theatre in 1861 and 1994, and it has twice been rebuilt. Further down La Rambla on the left is the entrance to the Plaça Reial, which is a 19^th century lively square with tall palm trees and street lamps designed by Antoni Gaudi. Also nearby is the Guéll Palace, which was one of Gaudi´s first residential buildings.