Archive for March, 2012

The Dali Museum in Figueres

Published: March 21, 2012Posted in: UncategorizedTags: , , , , , ,

The Dali Theatre Museum in Figueres was inaugurated in 1974 and over the years has grown to be one of the main tourist attractions in the Barcelona region. The extraordinary design of the former theatre,  the outstanding work of Dali that is on display and its location in the beautiful city of Figueres make it worthwhile a visit, whether you are an art lover or not.

© Salvador Dalí, Fundació Gala-Salvador Dalí, Figueres, 2004.

© Salvador Dalí, Fundació Gala-Salvador Dalí, Figueres, 2004.

In the early 1960s Salvador Dali (1904-1989) began to create the museum, which is now considered to be the largest surrealistic object in the world, on the ruins of the Figueres Municipal Theater. He dedicated himself to this project over a decade, being excited by the objective of bringing together all his work in his birthplace.

Next to the impressive and detailed work that can be observed on the building, the museum contains the broadest range of works of the artist. It displays work ranging from his earliest artistic experiences to surrealistic creations, to those created over the last years of his life. It exhibits some of Dali´s most outstanding work such as The Girl from Figueres (1926), The Spectre of Sex Appeal (1932) and Soft Self-Portrait with Fried Bacon (1941) and next to paintings and drawings also shows sculptures, installations and photography of this exceptional artist.

Dali Museum in Figueres

Dali Museum in Figueres

Make sure to visit the museum and explore the Cataluña region for a day, should you be thinking about visiting Barcelona. To be comfortable during your stay have a look at  our quality apartments in the Barcelona city centre and our Diagonal Mar apartments. For availability and prices visit our website.

 

 

Barcelona Open Banc Sabadell – Trofeo Conde de Godo

Published: March 9, 2012Posted in: Barcelona EventsTags: , , , ,

Between the 21st and the 29th of April 2012 the Open Banc Sabadell, the Trofeo Conde de Godó, will take place in Barcelona.  The tournament will celebrate its 60th anniversary this year, being hosted by the oldest Spanish tennis club the Real Club de Tenis. The event is considered to be the International Championship of Spain and has gained fame not only as an important sporting but also as a social event.

The first Conde de Godo was played in 1953 as part of the history of the Real Club de Tenis, which already opened its gates in 1899. After more than 100 years of existence the club can show off with a list of the most successful tennis players of Spain such as Arantxa Sánchez, Conchita Martínez, Rafael Nadal, Carlos Moyà, Albert Costa, Javier Sánchez, Alberto Berasategui, Félix Mantilla, Julián Alonso, Tomàs Carbonell, Francis Roig or Galo Blanco.

Barcelona Open Banc Sabadell

Barcelona Open Banc Sabadell

The trophy of the tournament displays a miniature tennis player made out of silver with a base of American Oak and a decoration engraved around the Cup. It was designed by the jewelers Solar Cabot in 1953 and has been totally restored three years ago so that it now shows the complete list of champions of the tournament. Last year Rafael Nadal was the one holding the cup, which has a value of 36 million Euros, in his hands after winning his sixth title in a final against David Ferrer (6-2, 6-4).

Surely this is an event which should not be missed and which not only gives you the opportunity to see one of the most exciting sporting events in Spain, but also the chance to explore the amazing city that it is held in. To add a bit of homely flavor to your stay you should check out our quality apartments in Barcelona and visit our website for availability and prices.

International Liver Congress 2012 – Barcelona

Published: March 8, 2012Posted in: Barcelona EventsTags: , , , ,

The 47th International Liver Congress will take place in Barcelona at the Centre Convencions Internacional (CCIB) from the 18th of April to 22nd of April 2012. The Congress takes place as the annual meeting of the European Association for the Study of the Liver (EASL) and is expected to attract about 8000 participants.

European Association of the Study of the Liver

European Association of the Study of the Liver

Within the 47 years of its foundation the EASL has grown from a small organization to the leading liver association in Europe.  The EASL promotes research in liver disease, supports wider education and promotes changes in European liver policy. The Association organizes a number of events during the year, including the International Liver Congress taking place in the CCIB in Barcelona this year. The CCIB, designed by the prestigious Spanish architect José Luis Mate, is situated in the new technological and business district in the seafront area of Diagonal Mar. The communication and transport network conveniently connects the convention centre to the city center.

The meeting is supposed to bring together the most eminent hepatologists in Europe and to give clinicians and researchers from developing countries the opportunity to present their research and interact with other professionals. The congress also provides the possibility to get up-to-date with the diagnosis and management of tropical liver diseases.

EASL International Liver Congress 2012

EASL International Liver Congress 2012

Renttop Apartments provides quality apartments in Diagonal Mar close to the Convention Center for this event.  Please visit our website to check availability and prices of our Barcelona apartments that are within close distance of the CCIB.

 

Semana Santa – Easter in Spain

Published: March 7, 2012Posted in: UncategorizedTags: , , , ,

This year the Semana Santa (“The holy week”) takes place from the 1st to the 8th of April 2012 in all of Spain, being extended by one day until Monday 9th in Catalonia.  Being a deeply Roman Catholic country, the week before Easter is filled with a number of processions and festivities that take place in towns and cities throughout all of Spain to celebrate the resurrection of Christ.

Jesus Semana Santa

Jesus Semana Santa

All processions (“Pasos”) start with a decorative float displaying Christ and end with another, displaying the Holy Mary. Floats are lifted by the so called “Costaleros” who carry the floats and move the structure synchronized to the music and the drumbeats. As they can only move slowly due to the weight and the size of the floats, the procession and the decoration of the parade can be well-observed. It is really worth seeing the processions either start or end in one of the churches, as it is quite spectacular to watch the sizeable floats being maneuvered through the tight door frames of the often ancient churches. Lots of candles, decorative elements and enchants give the processions a special atmosphere – particularly at night time. A large number of processors dressed with robes and tall pointed hats, often carrying a large candle, the so-called Nazarenos, participate in the parade.

Make sure to keep an eye out and try the delicious Mona de Pascua, a traditional cake in form of a crown, or Buñuelos, a kind of fried doughnut with chocolate. Other delicious traditional food consumed around Easter are Torrijas, pieces of bread soaked in milk and fried in butter with honey or sugar and Pestiños, pastry prepared with sweet dough fried in oil and bathed in honey.

Semana Santa Float

Semana Santa Float

Although the more traditional south of Spain with cities such as Seville is more famous for its Easter processions than cities such as Barcelona and Madrid, both are a great places to visit for Easter celebrations. In Barcelona the most famous Paso is “La Burreta” and takes place in la Ciutat Vella on Palm Sunday. Other processions are centering in the Gótico, around the cathedral and Las Ramblas during the week. In Madrid the “Paso de Cristo de la Fe y el Perdón” is celebrated on Palm Sunday, starting in the city center. On Friday a silent procession the so-called “Procesión Del Silencio” with a considerable number of brothers create a somewhat different atmosphere.

To secure a nice and central place to stay for the event, please check our luxury apartments in Barcelona and our apartments in Madrid.  For availability and prices please have a look at our website.