The fountain most “culé”

In Canaletas, the legend says that “he who drinks of his water will return to Barcelona”

The fountain most “culé”

A destination almost obliged for tourists, the Canaletas fountain crosses thousands of people, located just at the beginning of the Ramblas, a few steps from Plaça de Catalunya. This modest but emblematic fountain-lantern treasures with a history that makes it one of the unavoidable sources for the tourist and the fan of Futbol Club Barcelona, when its successes allow it.

The source of Canaletas was built in XVIII century but its reaison for bein takes us to the implementation of Rec Comtal, a network of channels launched in the tenth century and operating for almost nine centuries, which was extended in the mid-nineteenth century to bring the water that arrived from the Montcada and Reixac dam. With the arrival of industrialization, the water of the canals became contaminated and the city opened some divergent channels to supply to the Ramblas of less contaminated water. They were called ‘Canaletas’.

The original source came from a deposit located in the Tower of San Severo of the old medieval wall, which supplied the area of the Rambla and the Raval, originally from the eighteenth century. In 1862 the old fountain disappeared with the demolition of the walls and in its place settled two provisional iron sources.

In 1888 the City Council of Barcelona agreed to replace it with another definitive source, a project commissioned to Pere Falqués formed by four sources that would be located in different places of the city. Subsequently it was extended to fourteen sources, awarded to Jaume Rodelles. For that reason, although the one of Canaletas was constructed in 1892, it counts on a good number of ‘twin sisters’ distributed by Barcelona.

Made of cast iron, the fountain has a circular base on which a cup-shaped structure rises with four faucets that pour the water over four circular stacks; On this glass rises a column crowned in turn by four lampposts. With the ornamental tracks on the table, nothing better than to trace a route in search of their ‘relatives’ that we will find, among other locations, in the Portal del Ángel, the main street of Gracia, the round of San Pablo, Or the Plaza de la Barceloneta, among others. In total, there are 17 identical sources.

Today it is celebrated for being scene of the festivities in honor to the victories of the Barça. A tradition that was forged when the followers of the azulgrana club were quoted at the gates of the sports newspaper La Rambla, which was in the habit of presenting the results of football matches using a blackboard. Disappeared in the late 1930s, it should be said that the newspaper was located just in front of the fountain, at number 13 of the Ramblas.

Tradition says that “he who drinks of his water will return to Barcelona.” That is why, by superstition, visitors who wish to return to the city do not hesitate to drink their water if they hope to comply with the saying, whose legend can be read inscribed on a plaque.

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Week of the Terraces of Barcelona extends the range with 250 activities

Haute cuisine, live music, ‘showcookings’ Zumba workshops and swing, ham and sushi tasting or magic shows, among the free activities that offer 60 hotels in the Catalan capital for ten days

Terrace of Catalonia Barcelona Plaza hotel

Zumba, swing or yoga, but also cocktails and cooking workshops, or blind tastings, pairings and show cooking. These are some of the free activities are scheduled hotels participating in this year’s Week of the Terraces of Barcelona. This 2015 edition includes a proposal -the fifth- dialing character -the gastronomic cuisine is the new imam and music, although there are cultural activities and others who think family audiences. They will be sixty outdoor spaces located on the roofs of the best hotels in the capital-the same number as last year which opened these days the public their roofs with a total of 254 free activities -54 more than last year so that everyone who wants to come can have a good time drinking, eating and enjoying something attractive view down over the city. The heat may not yet be fully seated on the agenda, the good news is that the initiative will be in place until June 14th, so even set us days of sunshine on the horizon to visit them.

A trailer with a fashion that came from the United States, with mythical rooftops like the Hotel Gansevoort, that of The Roosevelt Hotel or the 230 Fifth-, for some years, the terraces of hotels in Barcelona have become spaces essential during the summer months. The previous four editions of the Week of the Terraces were visited by over 70,000 people. The Barcelona Hotel Association and the City Council of the initiative -the drivers expect at least the quote from this year to reach that figure.

Undoubtedly, one of the sensations in terms terraces this summer will be the brand new Hotel The Serras. The roof of the first five-star luxury hotel located on the seafront of Barcelona, ​​hosts the prime gastronomic chef Els Tinars Marc Gascon, who is also present in the gastrobar hotel, informal, street and on the terrace located at the entrance, on the same side of the Passeig Colón. The spectacular views over the harbour and the Gothic Quarter profile offered by the hotel may enjoy these days with tapas like spicy bravas by The Informal or lighthearted creations but with his own style bikini Michelin as Iberian ham and cheese Tou del  til-lers or burger 100% organic beef, onion, cheese, mustard.

And it is that not all hotels can boast a letter signed by a Michelin star chef. It is also the case of the Majestic Hotel & Spa, located in the busy Passeig de Gràcia, which organizes a showcoocking with Nandu Jubany and David Romero for which you must book (writing to this email address) (June 9th from 19:00 to 20:00). The hotel has also scheduled a class of Aqua Yoga (June 13th from 12.00 to 13.00) and will feature the music of a DJ to accompany attendees every day of the week from 20.00. On 5th June, also at 20 am, will perform DJ and music producer from Detroit Johan Beltran, composer of the themes of the famous TV show Oprah Winfrey The Next Chapter and songwriter for a series of HBO as Six feet under.

Between supply this year also highlights the Hotel Claris -the oldest of the city terrace, Granados 83 Hotel and the Hotel Bagués, Derby Hotels Collection, offering participating eminently gastronomic activities. In this edition, the Claris Hotel in a workshop-pairing of bread and ham hand Turris and Iberian Reserve will be offered. A magical combination of two products that are part of our food culture. The two experts have sought combinations of flavors, textures and new sensations with three ham and three types of bread. (June 10th, 18:00. Upon reservation on tel. 93 487 62 62. Limited seating). At Hotel Granados, however, the marriage goes cocktail and Gin & Tapas. The hotel team mixologists teach attendees some tricks to prepare combined with a personalized cover appetizer accompaniment. (The 5th, 11th and 12th June, from 19.00 to 20.00). And the Hotel Bagués offers showcooking of tartars by its executive chef. Attendees will enjoy a masterclass on how to develop a good steak or tuna tartar. (5th and June 12th, from 19.00 to 19.45).

Other interesting gastronomic activities during the week will be the show cooking rice in OJ Reial Hotel, run by chef Pere Moreno, La Cuina del DO (5th and June 10th, from 19.00 to 20.00); free cheese tasting and champagne at the Silken Gran Hotel Havana (9th June 19.00); the show cooking paella in the Neri Hotel (June 9th, 19.30- 21.00) and the Hotel Villa Emilia Barcelona (June 9, 21.30)

The chill of the Grand Hotel Central Barcelona, ​​with panoramic neighbor Borne and the skyline of the city and an infinity pool that has been on the cover of magazines and books most prestigious travel the world, is one of the terraces that never fail views this appointment. New for this week’s terraces, the hotel has scheduled a session #livedj Wednesday from 20.00.

But maybe you are interested take a look at your card deck this year, includes new features like creamy rigatonis with walnuts, fresh tomato salad and tuna belly, or a delicious cod with romesco Tiradito. His fantastic desserts the signature also the chef Mey Hofmann.

On the terrace of the Hotel Hilton Diagonal Mar, which this year opened its space PuroBeach will have free tasting of Arab tapas (June 5th, from 20 to 20.45), meeting DJ (for 15-21 hours) and tasting combined with Vodka Beluga and Sloane’s Gin (June 8th, 18 to 19.30).

More music terraces

Music is an essential part of the environment on a terrace. Considering the musical taste you can set an agenda for what to terrace visit every day. The Florida Hotel has thought a good selection of live music to accompany some of the culinary offerings created specifically for this week-given Smoked salmon with creamy red pepper honey, mustard and cheese and gorgonzola croquette with mayonnaise of garrapiñados- peanuts. The proceedings shall be borne by MIMA musical project formed by Mati Pando (vocals) and Miguel Aranda (guitar) that offer a personal and sensitive interpretation of music and more southerly, Andalusian and Latin songs. (5th and 11th June 21.30 to 23.30 hours).

Live music is also protagonist of the Port Vell H10 terrace with a bossanova session (June 5th, from 19.00 to 20.30). Hotel Miramar Barcelona also been prepared on the terrace of its historic facade a live performance. In this case, it will be a DJ with gramophone and a unique repertoire for the occasion that will cover the building’s history with samples of different musical genres, (June 5th, from 20:00 to 23:00 hours). They have also scheduled a late merger between Brazilian music and Japanese cuisine (Brazilian duo performance + free sushi station) (June 12th, from 20.00 to 23.00 hours).

The terrace of the Hotel Duquesa de Cardona, a few minutes walk from the Ramblas, the Gothic Quarter and the Born also has provided a planning of activities tune this week, as gintonics workshops, mojitos and vodkatonics, but accompanied by 80s music by a DJ. Your letter terrace signature chef Santi Olivella, and this year it has special weight in the oven BBQ Josper creations. Among the specialties that shine in your letter is the Iberian pork marinated in soy and vermouth with cous-cous micro greens and royal foie gras, brioche bread and red fruits, also they offer a wide selection of tapas and a bikini. Josep Maria Gotarda, the legendary cocktail Ideal Cocktail Bar, offers a menu of signature cocktails. As in previous years, this summer will pass through its Live the roof sessions Maya artists like Coke, Mr Chinarro, Carlos Sadness, Enric Motefusco and The Postal Service.

Music is also the theme of the Good Afternoon sessions Pulitzer and its vermouths weekends. The Hotel Pulitzer offer several direct and DJ these days. These Charming Evenings (June 5th, 19.00 22.00); DJ + DJ Lynnetic Vermouth (June 6th, 12.00 16.00) sessions; DJ Borja (June 11th, 19-22h), DJ Moomba (June 13th, from 12.00 to 16.00). In his letter His club offering gourmet sandwiches Sandwich with grilled chicken, crispy bacon, marinated tomato, melted Mahon cheese, lettuce comes in onion focaccia, with gluten-free options and dishes to share among them, the chips home, humus or nachos with guacamole-.

The DJ session will be an important part of the bet the cosmopolitan Pool B-Bar B-Hotel. Located on the eighth floor will host a session of DJ Robert Martex with the best music of the 80’s DJ Mr Zorton (electronic & house) (June 11th, 19:30 – 23:00 and 12th June, 19.30 – 23.00 hours, respectively) with free admission. In cuisine offer various packs with a selection of tapas and drinks, such as blind covers (pairing blind) hand Torres: tasting includes 6 tapas + 6 towers wines in a very special way. (June 10th, 19.00) (12 euros / person).

Versions of classic rock, soul and pop of all time will be the stars on the terrace of the renovated Hotel Granvia, between Gran Vía and Paseo de Gracia. They offer within a block of the Eixample a musical performance by the group Rumore TRIO, consisting of Vanessa Grillone (voice), Jb Ibanez (acoustic guitar) and Stefano Ferri (piano / keyboard). Among its cuisine include the focaccia with eggplant, tomato and goat cheese or chicken focaccia to accompany a glass of wine, soda or beer, with an affordable price of 7.75 euros. Rockabilly sound will star in the terrace of Catalonia Barcelona Plaza Hotel on 12th June (21.00) with the formation The Modern Poppers.

In the exclusive and privileged Isabela H1898 The music will be available on request. By day 10, the hotel will feature a DJ encouraged the night from 19 ha 21 h, while the 9th will feature performances Acoustic group Guiri and the presence of four musicians (vocals, guitar, violin , bass) that animate the evening and attend to the musical demands of the most demanding. On the tables will triumph top star presented during this week: the crispy prawns with tamarind sauce. And of course, including cocktails, will win the ‘Flor de Isabela’ is the house special.

The cultural and historical part

The week of the terraces is the time to enjoy a guided tour through the bowels of the hotel Fonda Spain tour. The hotel management, located in a modernist building designed by the architect Lluis Domenech i Montaner walk Rambla, program special tours these days for attendees (5,6,9, 12th and 13th June, 18.30. Subject to the tel: 935 500 000). Another outstanding cultural activities this week will be homage to Catalonia Ramblas Barcelona Loop Festival, an international video art event held on site hotel, projecting the film Twin Tastes & Tongues within the framework Loop in Progress. In addition to projecting outdoors this road work between Barcelona and Shanghai commodity market, visitors to La Terraza del Pelai have the opportunity to get free tickets to visit the Loop Barcelona festival on 5th and 6th June.

Terraces with children

If we go to the terraces with children, the best views are roofs that have interesting activities planned for them. For example, H10 Art Gallery, which will offer a workshop to create themselves a gastronomic menu from a base ingredient (June 13th, from 11.30 to 13.30); Also roofs Ohla hotel, where they can see a performance of synchronized swimming (June 12, 20.30), and the Eixample Catalonia 1864 (June 11th, 19.30 and 21.00). The terrace of Duquesa de Cardona will also be fun because you can paint aprons (June 6th, from 10.00 to 21.00 hours) or ride puzzles (June 14th, from 17.00 to 20.00 hours). A place to visit family key these days and take a good memory is the beautiful terrace of the Mandarin Oriental, which has been prepared in the Mimosa garden a performance by a magician open to all public (8, 9th and 10th June 18.30 19.30). This hotel’s garden, filled with dozens of native trees such as oleander, oak or olive trees, also has a stake of scoundrels claiming tapas classics like bleeding, red summer or rebujito but in its own way this year totaling tapas bars are honors and corners of our country. (From 13.00 to 23.00 hours).

Photo contest via Instagram

Another novelty of the event this year is a contest via Instagram. Those attending the activities taking a picture from one of the terraces to illustrate a special moment and share in the social network with the hashtag # SetmanaTerrasses15. The contest will have two categories: the first should illustrate a terrace either space, their views or their environment; and the second should have the Torres wines, sponsors of the event, as protagonists. Prizes will be one night in a double room in the Hotel Miramar Barcelona and one day in the Universe Torres, respectively.
We recommend confirming the schedule of activities on the website of Mes que Hotels.

Courtesy Avantgarde Limousine Barcelona

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