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Barcelona 4 9 16

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We started in La Boqueria, Barcelona's large city market. It was very crowded on this Saturday morning. The market dates from the 13th century but it has existed in its present form since 1914.
We started in La Boqueria, Barcelona's large city market. It was very crowded on this Saturday morning. The market dates from the 13th century but it has existed in its present form since 1914.
Beautiful produce was everywhere. In addition to food sales, the market has many restaurants and cooking classes.
Beautiful produce was everywhere. In addition to food sales, the market has many restaurants and cooking classes.
The prized Jamón ibérico (ham) was readily evident.
The prized Jamón ibérico (ham) was readily evident.
A fish market was added in 1911.
A fish market was added in 1911.
The market has all sorts of restaurants, some casual and some a bit fancier.
The market has all sorts of restaurants, some casual and some a bit fancier.
Spain leads the world in olive production by far.
Spain leads the world in olive production by far.
Spain is sixth in the world in the production of oranges.
Spain is sixth in the world in the production of oranges.
This looked mighty tempting but it was time for lunch down the street across from the Opera House.
This looked mighty tempting but it was time for lunch down the street across from the Opera House.
The Opera House in the Gran Teatre del Liceu dates from 1847. This is the main stairway. The building had a severe fire in 1861 but reopened the following year. It also was the scene of a bombing in 1893 in which twenty persons died.
The Opera House in the Gran Teatre del Liceu dates from 1847. This is the main stairway. The building had a severe fire in 1861 but reopened the following year. It also was the scene of a bombing in 1893 in which twenty persons died.
The building had another fire in 1994 and was closed until 1999 when it reopened after repairs and financial restructuring. Artworks like these were redone.
The building had another fire in 1994 and was closed until 1999 when it reopened after repairs and financial restructuring. Artworks like these were redone.
The Mirrors Hall, preserved from the 1994 fire.
The Mirrors Hall, preserved from the 1994 fire.
The Opera House has about 2,300 seats on six levels.
The Opera House has about 2,300 seats on six levels.
After leaving the Opera, we walked around the city a bit more and ended up at the Plaça Sant Jaume (St. James Square), a center of Barcelona government buildings including City Hall.
After leaving the Opera, we walked around the city a bit more and ended up at the Plaça Sant Jaume (St. James Square), a center of Barcelona government buildings including City Hall.
We saw signs like this in both Barcelona and Madrid. Spain has agreed to take in 15,000 Syrian refugees but many have not yet appeared.
We saw signs like this in both Barcelona and Madrid. Spain has agreed to take in 15,000 Syrian refugees but many have not yet appeared.
Attractive second floor passage near the Barcelona Cathedral.
Attractive second floor passage near the Barcelona Cathedral.
All good things must come to an end and so we had our farewell dinner at a wonderful seafood restaurant on the Barcelona waterfront. It was a great group and we were helped along many times daily by our tour leader and bus driver at the far end of the table.
All good things must come to an end and so we had our farewell dinner at a wonderful seafood restaurant on the Barcelona waterfront. It was a great group and we were helped along many times daily by our tour leader and bus driver at the far end of the table.

Today, we had a free day in Barcelona until the farewell dinner in the evening.  So we decided to visit a few non-Gaudi highlights of the city.

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