April 21, 2024 – Barcelona

This morning we had a guided tour of the Palau de la Musica Catalan.  This is a concert hall built from 1905 to 1908 in the modernist style.  It was paid for with support by wealthy industrialists as well as bourgeoisie . It is a UNESCO World Heritage site.  The tour was very good and we were able to go to all the balcony tiers.  They also played the organ while we sat in the orchestra.
We went in a store that sells “Caganer” dolls.  The Catalan Christmas tradition involves a wood log named Tio de Nadal (the poop log) who is covered by a blanket and when hit by sticks on Christmas morning has “pooped” candies and sweets when the blanket is removed.  The “Caganer” doll represents a nativity Shepard pooping to fertilize the land and bring good crops for the new year. 
We walked to the Arc de Triomf .  It was built as a gateway to the Parc de la Ciutadella.  Close by was the Chocolate Museum.  It covers the history of chocolate and has many chocolate sculptures.
We walked back stopping for a late lunch on the way.  Since we had already walked 8 miles we decided to rest at the apartment for the rest of the day.

No plans yet for tomorrow. The forecast is for rain.