On the way to meet Emily and Miquel today, we spotted a large arena. Surely that must be a bullring? But bullfighting’s outlawed in Catalonia, so what could it be now?
It was the former bullring. Built at the turn of the twentieth century in Moorish style, with a capacity for sixteen thousand spectators, it never really earned its keep. Even before the sport was banned, Catalans didn’t enjoy bullfights, and the Arena saw its last fight in 1977.
The building stood empty and unused till 1999. Richard Rogers’ architectural practice was selected to design a state-of-the-art complex of shops, cinemas and restaurants which also preserved the historic red facade.
It’s wonderful. Shopping’s no fun as far as I’m concerned, but gazing at the massive girders which hold the current structure in place, or walking round the roof terrace (in the pouring rain) to have 360° views over Plaça d’Espanya and beyond was a fine way to spend a morning.
From Pyrenees to Pennines 
look at those colours of yellow and red – how fortunate that they can symbolise both Spanish and Catalan flags. Nice you showed the Moorish windows. And I love the chap at the bottom shaking his umbrella as he comes in from the elements trundling his ?case ?dog ?second umbrella behind him. The rain looks very wet indeed. And the imperial grandeur of the buildings as one looks over the Plaça d’Espanya looks like the imperial longings expressed in many another city. All interesting. And as you say better than bullfighting.
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Oh it’s all been very wet and un-Barcelona like. Rain doesn’t suit this city! I hadn’t thought those girders might be symbolically coloured. You could well be right ….
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Most interesting, I love that sort of massive building with exposed girders intersecting with other straight lines.
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It really does work. It’s an impressive building in all sorts of ways.
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Fascinating building. I was intrigued by this blog title as I know your feelings about ‘retail therapy’! I understand now. Looking forward to a proper catch up on your return. x
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So much to tell. Having such a good time x
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Beautiful re-use….
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It is. I’m no shopping fan, but better that than bull fighting.
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On our visit to Barcelona we passed this so many times and now I’m sorry we didn’t go in to have a look – guess we need to go back! Thanks for the inspiration.
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So agree with you – no fan of shopping, but infinity preferable to bull fighting anytime. Original building looks like a Moorish interpretation of the Colosseum. Very dramatic.
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What an excellent re-purposing of such a large building!
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They have done it really well.
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I’m not much for shopping but I like it a *lot* better than the idea of bullfighting! And I very much like the re-use of a beautiful structure!
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Definitely an improvement on bullfighting!
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Very interesting. Thanks for posting this.
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We might even pop back now it’s stopped raining, to get a better view.
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