We had such a lovely day trip the previous weekend to the winery in the Penedès, that we decided to head out again to Vic, in central Catalunya, about an hour's drive from Pat's plant in Granollers. Vic aims to please with some Roman ruins, remnants of medieval times, an elegant Gothic cloister, a beautiful new art museum and some wonderful restaurants! We got there in late morning and enjoyed wandering around the weekly market, also held on Tuesdays. First we found an underground parking garage and while waiting to get in, I snapped these shots of the house across the street.
The regular market is held in the Plaça Major, the largest of Catalunya's central squares, which is beautifully lined with medieval, baroque and Modernista mansions, albeit hard to distinguish inbetween all the market stalls and people! It is also known as the Plaça del Mercada (for just that reason!).
Note the Catalan flags hanging from the balcones!
Town Hall with "sgraffito" style decor:
Another example of "sgraffito" style, popular on many Catalunyan buildings:
Pat posing with an unknown student of Vic, by artist Joan Seguranyes 1978.
Beyond the central market is a maze of medieval streets, a veritable treasure trove of ancient buildings! Below a former Roman temple:
Typical, also, is a ceramic tile scene placed into the stonework or stucco of a building:
This looked like a popular eatery...to try next time!
Front entrance of the beautiful Museu Episcopal on Plaça del Bisbe Oliba. We were most impressed with the extraordinary collection of Romanesque and Gothic art, second ony to MNAC in Barcelona. It merits another visit, to be sure, there was just too much to take in all at once!
Some images from inside the museum:
Skull and crossbones symbol!
Examples of Catalunyan ceramic tiles:
Some old doors:
The Catedral de Sant Pere, inside rather gloomy and dark with square-based pillars:
The main doors at the back:
After a lovely lunch at Restaurant Magda Subirana (c/ de Sant Sadurni), we took a final stroll around the outskirts of the downtown core, beside the remnants of the ancient Roman walls:
A view of a more modern Vic, Catalunyan hills in the background:
We had such a lovely day here in Vic, and hope to return again before too long! My friend, Sheila, from the International Women's Club in Barcelona, has recommended a sidetrip to Rupit, some 30 km to the northeast, staying in the quaint Hostal Estrella. We'll plan a hiking trip there when it warms up a little bit!
Hasta luego...
Location:Vic in central Catalunya
No comments:
Post a Comment