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Barcelons Sights and AttractionsDavid Brydon (544)    David Brydon   BCN Rentals Animals of Barcelona in HistoryPosted Friday, November 13, 2009 (9 days 1 hour ago.) Viewed 4 times. Now you might think that this is an article all about the Barcelona , zoo, in which case you'd be a little far off let's look at the animals in Barcelona Folklore up to the present time. Animals form part of many cultures and pagan rituals involve many animals both fictional and non-fictional. Although Spain is a Catholic country, Barcelona in particular is not a particularly religious Christian community, and has a proud heritage. Many of the city's festivals and traditional processions involve animals - or rather models of giant animals, such as dragons, Eagles, horses, and unrecognisable beasts, too. Of course, perhaps the most famous beast in Catalonia 's history is the dragon. Saint George is the Patron saint of Catalonia , and is paid homage in many different ways throughout the city not least the UNESCO world Heritage site of Antonin Gaudi's Casa Battl, in downtown Passeig de Gracia Street . This building has a curved tiled back, representing the scales of the dragon's back. This image is repeated in Gaudi's Park Gell, with the ornate entrance to the park housing a magnificent dragon fountain which is reproduced all over the city on postcards, shop fronts, and even bakers' windows. Another medieval animal to figure predominantly in processions and Barcelona folklore is the bat. Yes, the nocturnal winged creatures have a long history in Barcelona traditions as a sign of strength. This can be seen in a few select areas for example the magnificent Palau Gell in Barcelona's old town (also another UNESCO World Heritage Site, designed by Gaudi), the rooftop has a collection of chimneys which usually grab the most attention, but the weather vane atop the building is that of a bat. And of course one of the most famous bats is that of the Rum Bacardi whose founders were born in nearby Sitges, and moved to Cuba in the 1830s. A selection of these Barcelona animals can be seen in the Institute of Culture Building on Las Ramblas - Barcelona 's famous boulevard, dissecting the old town. Inside, the models are on permanent display, and only taken out for special celebrations such as Corpus Christi, and the patron of Barcelona, Our Lady of Mercy's celebration in late September, La Mere. In here the Eagle model plays a predominant role, seated at the front of the display, and as the official information explains; "The Barcelona Eagle is mentioned in documents as far back as 1399 and was part of the municipal cortge, it was subject to strict protocol and was indispensable at all solemn city celebrations and on the aldermen's journeys. The Eagle lived its golden age in the 17th century when it was the subject of a number of dances and tunes. It disappeared in the first third of the last century and was recovered in 1989. The Eagle is part of the historic bestiary of Barcelona , together with the Lion, the Big Mule, the Bull, the Viper, the Dragon, the Monster and the little horses". There are plenty of real animals and beasts to see in the city zoo or aquarium, but those with history and culture get my vote! David Brydon has been living in Barcelona for 10 years and writes about Apartments for rent in Barcelona and regularly contributes to this Great Barcelona Guide. 
Permalink Comments (0) Glossary of Spanish Real Estate TermsPosted Friday, November 13, 2009 (9 days 2 hours ago.) Viewed 1 times. If you're taking the plunge and opting to buy a property in a foreign land, there are some fundamentals which you need to know before you start looking. Faced with a foreign language, there are many terms you may need to get to grips with. Here's a Spanish Real Estate glossary. First up, and if you're moving to a major city such as Madrid , Barcelona or Seville , it's likely you'll be looking to buy an apartment or flat within a block. In Spanish this is not particularly complicated to translate, being named as an "Apartamento" or "piso". These are usually self-contained dwelling spaces, with communal amenities such as stairways, lifts or elevators and patios or rooftop terraces. This is not always the case, with some private apartments on the top floor including a private terrace which belongs solely to that apartment. Don't automatically assume you will have access to these spaces. Apartments are also usually managed by an administrative body, known as "administrador de fincas" whose job it is to manage any legal issues within the community, hold official meetings to discuss communal problems the building may have in way of drainage, maintenance of the communal areas and repairing of wear and tear within the block. Apartment sizes vary widely within city blocks, with some as small as twenty square metres known as "macro pisos" or "studio" apartments and ranging up to huge apartments of two hundred or more square metres. These latter properties obviously come with a pretty price. A "Loft" in Spanish real estate lends its name from 50s New York and refers to a large living space with very few divisions, usually with very bright light from large windows. This term is often used misleadingly by owners vying for a "cool" angle, and is technically only reserved for industrial style spaces, generally quite large, and not necessarily high up on an upper level as the English language definition would suggest. If you find a "Duplex" in Spain , then as the name suggests, this is a living space on two levels connected by an internal staircase. Often in apartment blocks, the top floor has a higher ceiling than those which precede it, allowing for upper levels to be constructed for additional bedrooms or living rooms, for example. In towns or suburbs, duplex housing can look very similar to a common house, but generally are slimmer in that they only have a maximum of two rooms up and down, as opposed to a house which can be constructed as wide as the plot of land allows. Traditionally a "Chal" or "chalet" springs images of wooden farmhouses in Switzerland and Alpine mountains. In Spain , however, it can be used to describe a small house with little division between its neighbouring house and of similar dimensions to a studio apartment. Chalets are often in seaside towns, and are second homes or holiday homes for many Spanish residents. A "Casa" is a traditional house, and is constructed on private land, exactly as in any place in the world. Houses are usually detached, but can be semi-detached and can include gardens and grounds, swimming pools and farming areas - there are no differences here in the generic term. Finally a "Local" is that space which is usually reserved for office or retail space on the ground floor of a building. Shop fronts, cafes and restaurants are all housed in the "locals" which can occasionally be reformed and reconstructed to make living spaces. Permission is required for any of the above mentioned dwellings, in the form of a certificate of habitability - given by an architect and essential in any dealings of real estate, be it selling or buying. This is known as a "cedula de habitabilidad" and particularly "locales" often have difficulty in meeting the set of requisites and standards to obtain this certificate. If you ever fancy looking into this option, it's important to insist in viewing an up-to-date certificate. David Brydon has been living in Barcelona, Spain for 10 years and writes for Luxury Barcelona Real Estate Agents Modus Vivendi, who have a wide portfolio of Long Term Rentals in Barcelona too.
Permalink Comments (0) 5 Reasons to Invest in Barcelona Property in 2010Posted Friday, November 06, 2009 (16 days 7 hours ago.) Viewed 3 times. In the current financial constraints the whole world is under, it seems that the investors have disappeared off the face of the planet, never to return. However, many are biding their time and waiting for a great investment opportunity Barcelona in Spain is one of them. The Iberian lifestyle is one of fun, sun and relaxation many European foreigners decide to retire in Spain and the adjoining islands, and there is a high number of second homes owned by foreigners, too. The Catalan Capital of Barcelona is no exception, offering stunning architecture and landscapes, nestled on the banks of the Mediterranean Sea . And it's not a bad bet for a property investment for 2010. Here are five reasons why. Number one would be for the business potential. Real Estate Company Cushman and Wakefield produced their annual report into Business Cities in Europe , and in 2009 Barcelona has leapfrogged the "capital of Europe " Belgium into fourth spot. The city is a serious contender for many businesses opening or expanding, meaning it's citizens are becoming more and more affluent as they look to find a property. In the same report by Cushman and Wakefield widely regarded as the authority on such matters, the city of Barcelona was voted as the number one destination for quality of life in employees. This brings us to number two: Quality of life as a destination for foreigners. Companies looking to relocate their offices or even freelancers or people looking for a change of scene in the workplace can rest assured they're making a great choice in destination and will likely be upgrading from their current location. As if this was not enough, a third thing to convince you would have to be the commitment of Barcelona City council to the urban investment and planning. The city is constantly changing for the better with the new line 9 metro linking the business and Port of Zona Franca and even the city's airport to downtown Barcelona due to open in Spring 2010 and the ongoing 22@ project in Poble Nou promising to be a platform for the biggest companies and intelligent minds of the city to lay their base. At number four would have to be Barcelona 's fantastic transport links. Given its position in Europe , there are many low-cost flights arriving to the city's main airport which has recently opened a huge new terminal, with it increasing the number of long haul direct flights and eliminating the need for travellers to change at Madrid . There is also the Ave Fast Train, linking cities within Spain in remarkable speeds and even offering a full refund if the rain is more than 30 minutes late. The proximity to the Pyrenees Mountains means ski season is just a few hours away, and if you prefer country hiking, inland Catalonia will fill your boots (pun intended!). There are also more cruises arriving in Barcelona than ever before, with them bringing a huge injection of cash through the tourism. Culture and Heritage are surely worth a mention and make number five another great reason to invest. Barcelona is a city steeped in history, with some amazing architecture and museums, as well as an incredible nine UNESCO world Heritage Sites. Immersing yourself in another culture, bilingual too, can only enrich your decision to invest in Barcelona property. An added bonus is the current buyers market means there are some real bargains to be had, too. Contact a reliable Real Estate Agent for details. David Brydon has been living in Barcelona, Spain for 10 years and writes for Luxury Barcelona Real Estate Agents Modus Vivendi, who have a wide portfolio of Long Term Rentals in Barcelona too.
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