{"id":205,"date":"2014-12-12T10:45:54","date_gmt":"2014-12-12T09:45:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.iese.edu\/mba\/?p=205"},"modified":"2015-02-17T09:59:42","modified_gmt":"2015-02-17T08:59:42","slug":"placa-catalunya","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.iese.edu\/mba\/placa-catalunya\/","title":{"rendered":"Pla\u00e7a de Catalunya: The Heart of Barcelona"},"content":{"rendered":"

After a couple of weeks in Barcelona, you\u2019ll soon discover that Pla\u00e7a de Catalunya is where many of the key features of the Catalan city converge. Pla\u00e7a de Catalunya is a large and centrally located plaza. \u00a0It is the structural heart of Barcelona. Yet beyond its Southern European grandeur, it subtly hints at the intangibles that give the city its soul.<\/p>\n

The plaza, while not a destination in and of itself, is often on your way to another part of town. It\u2019s worth budgeting a little bit of extra time in order to soak in the sites at a leisurely pace. It is adorned with a myriad of gardens, fountains, and sculptures, and it is often quieter on weekend mornings before the crowds are up.<\/p>\n

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A number of stores and restaurants surround the plaza, as well as department stores like El Corte Ingles, where you can find everything from clothes to sporting gear to high-quality organic groceries (with price tags to match). Even more useful, perhaps, is the multi-story Apple store that sits proudly on one corner. The staff is helpful, and if you head to the second floor, you\u2019ll be treated with an even better view of the plaza.<\/p>\n

The plaza\u00a0is well-connected by public transportation and you may frequently find yourself transferring between metro lines at one of the stations below. There are also several key shopping streets that are offshoots from the plaza including the famous Las Ramblas, the calmer yet just as interesting La Rambla de Catalunya, and Passeig de Gr\u00e0cia, which is filled with the likes of Burberry and Prada.<\/p>\n

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\"IMG_7024C\"\u00a0\"IMG_7013C\"<\/p>\n

On occasion, the plaza fills up with demonstrations and political protests. It has been home to events highlighting both sides of the separatist movement, many held during the month of September. Pla\u00e7a de Catalunya also connects Barcelona\u2019s older neighborhoods such as El Born and the Gothic Quarter with the newer and more grid-like neighborhood of Eixample.<\/p>\n

\"IMG_7105C\"<\/p>\n

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\"IMG_7122C\"<\/p>\n

Visiting Pla\u00e7a de Catalunya is like a sneak peek into life in the city. The number of tourists to be found in the plaza at midday speaks to Barcelona\u2019s countless attractions worthy of international flights and extended stays. Yet the creativity and vibrancy embodied in the surrounding architectural elements is reflective of the culture of the city as a whole and the untold experiences that await.<\/p>\n

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Lauren is a second year MBA student at IESE. \u00a0To read more from her on Barcelona visit her blog: www.elleandpear.com<\/a>.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

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 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

After a couple of weeks in Barcelona, you\u2019ll soon discover that Pla\u00e7a de Catalunya is where many of the key features of the Catalan city converge. Pla\u00e7a de Catalunya is a large and centrally located plaza. \u00a0It is the structural heart of Barcelona. Yet beyond its Southern European grandeur, it subtly hints at the intangibles… <\/p>\n

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