Barcelona La Ribera - Visit Barcelona

La Ribera is a district of Barcelona found within the Ciutat Vella. Landlocked by La Barceloneta, El Gòtic and Sant Martí, it is a core constituent of Barcelona’s centre but not actually situated on the riviera. Of course, the district’s name is far from intentionally misleading. Once an area where wealthy merchants resided in their palaces, La Ribera of time gone by was in fact set on the coast, before the construction of La Barceloneta during the 18^th century.

Today, the north and south of La Ribera are two rather distinct areas. Whilst the northern part is only ever referred to as La Ribera, the southern region bordering La Barceloneta is known as El Born. That almost peculiar atmosphere of El Born is often attributed to the popular description of the region as one that is simultaneously both modern and old. Amongst the artisanry to be found along the streets are violin makers, glasswork and artists studios including Picasso’s own. This southerly region is named after the 18^th century Mercat el Born which is often renamed the Cathedral of Iron and Glass for its truly magnificent iron and glass based structure.

Amongst other impressive buildings is the Basílica de Santa María del Mar. Built between 1329 and 1383, and hidden within a modest shell (in a typically Catalan Gothic style), the church is verily another treasure of Catholic Europe. Even just photos of the vastness of its three naves held up by towering columns conjure up an unparalleled incandescent awe. Equally imposing and yet so distinct is Lluís Domènech i Montaner’s Palau de la Música Catalana built between 1905 and 1908. A contemporary of Gaudi and a fellow modernist, Lluís Domènech i Montaner, in his Palau de la Música Catalana, creates a by all means awesome work.

The La Ribera Quarter has allsorts in terms of entertainment and interest; from the Museu de la Xocolata to the Museu Picasso, all within such a small area, really speaking, life has not time enough to visit them all.