It is believed that Devil seduced Christ on a mountain like Tibidabo. In fact, the sight of Barcelona from the summit of the 542-meter high mountain is seductive. Barcelona is laid in minuscule form - Montjüic and the sea frame all the familiar sights and roads of the city can be viewed from here.
Tibidabo is on one side of the city, while the Collserola hills rise sharply and verdantly up behind Barcelona to the north. At the northeastern side of Avinguda Diagonal is the new Diagonal Mar commercial, office, and residential development.
At 542m, Tibidabo forms the backdrop to Barcelona and at the same time is the highest hill in the wooded range. On a clear fine morning, it’s a great place for views over the city. The people of Barcelona come up here for some thrills at the amusement park Parc d'Atraccions, which has rides and a house of horrors. However the main attraction at the Parc, however, is the glass lift that goes 115m up to a visitors’ observation area at Torre de Collserola telecommunications tower. The not so adventurous type can find solace in Temple del Sagrat Cor, Barcelona’s Sacré Coeur. Towering above Tibidabo’s funicular station, there are actually two churches, one on top of the other. The top one is surmounted by a giant Christ and has a lift to the roof.
The Tibidabo Mountain can be called city’s landmarks for a number of reasons. Firstly, the illustrative church by the same name is located on the peak of the mountain. Secondly, the amusement park is the oldest of its kind in Spain and the second oldest in Europe (it was constructed in 1899). As it is so old it has not only retained some classic attractions, which are well-known and popular amongst locals, but also at the same time incorporated the latest in amusement park fare. One of the most exceptional items is an exact reproduction of the airplane that was used for the first flight between Barcelona and Madrid in 1928. The airplane gives visitors the chance to see the city from above for a few moments without ever having to leave the park.
The park also consists of the Tibidabo Museum of Automatons, located in an old theatre that dates back to 1909. It houses a collection of old mechanical toys that worked by inserting a coin a common feature at European fairs in the past. The museum is amongst the most complete in its kind, especially because the pieces are in such excellent condition, and the collection includes many peculiar mechanical toys pertaining to that era.
The Best way to visit Mount Tibidabo is to arrive at it via the Avinguda del Tibidabo. There are some very interesting villas by several different architects. The so-called “Tramvia Blau” (blue tram) goes up this avenue and is the only one of its kind left in Spain. At the end of the first stage of the ascent is La Font del Racó Park, and, on the right-hand side inside a Modernist building, there is the Science Museum and planetarium which attract many visitors. The avenue ends in the Plaça del Peu del Funicular where there are restaurants for eating outside and night clubs.
Anil Gupta recommends that you visit www.bookings.es/city/es/barcelona.html?aid=305255 for more information on barcelona hotels. |
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