Port, Barcelona Port Vell Franc de Barcelona

At the Plaça del Portal de la Pau stands the Monument a Cristòfor Colom, 60m/197ft high and weighing 205 tons, which was erected for the World Exhibition in 1888. The iron column is completely covered with allegorical figures. Around the base is a series of reliefs depicting important stages in Columbus's life and voyages of discovery. On the top of the column is an 8m/26ft high statue of Columbus, which points out to sea (and therefore not directly towards the New World). A lift takes visitors up to a look-out area from where there are excellent views of port and the city. On the windows transparent pictures and captions serve to facilitate the visitor's orientation. At the foot of the monument, in the Portal de la Pau, horse-drawn carriages offer tours of the area.

Spanning the harbor basin diagonally is the harbor cable car (in Catalan "Transbordador Aerí"). The harbor terminus is the Torre de Sant Sebastian on the new mole, a 96m/315ft steel lattice mast (the Plaça del Mar with sports and cultural facilities is planned); the intermediate station is the 158m/519ft Torre de Jaume I on the Moll de Barcelona. The funicular ends on the northeast side of Montjuïc, near the Jardins Mossen Costa i Llobera (cactus garden). During the journey passengers can enjoy a splendid view of the port area and the wide Passeig de Colom.

The Moll de la Fusta is the name given to the section of the port between Portal de la Pau and the Plaça d'Antoni Lòpez. The Moll de Bosch i Alsina, which runs directly parallel, is linked to it by two railroad bridges and has been turned into a spacious promenade with seats, restaurants and an underground parking lot.One prominent feature is a giant statue of a lobster which was erected next to a restaurant.The main street along the Moll de la Fusta is palm tree lined Passeig de Colom.

On a platform 4.5m/14-3/4ft high over the wharf, a center for leisure, culture, sports and shopping has been created.The chief attractions are an aquarium, a cinema, plus the Maremagnum, a black mirrored building holding a shopping center and a series of restaurants. A model of the world's first submarine, designed by a citizen of Barcelona sits on the main connection of the wharf to the mainland. The area is surrounded by moored pleasure craft. Of special note is the footbridge to the Columbus monument. This bridge is decorated with undulating, overhead metal beams. This redeveloped harbor area is now called Port Vell or the old port.

L'Aquàrium de Barcelona is a marine leisure and educational centre on the moll d'Espanya del Port vell, by the sea. 35 tanks, 11,000 animals and 450 different species are representative of the Mediterranean.

The Church of La Mercé is the only example of Baroque architecture in Barcelona with a curved façade.

South of the Columbus monument stands the imposing and rather ornate customs building (Duana).

Further to the north of the Stock Exchange and to the right is the Estació de França, the station for France, with rail connections to the north.

The vestibule of the Main Post Office in Barcelona is decorated with frescos by Catalonian mural painters from the first half of the 20th century.

On the grand Passeig Colom which fronts the old port is the large Military headquarters with an elegant 17th century courtyard.

The history of Catalonia is told through various means including; historical recreations, objects, audio-visual presentations, and hands on displays.

A promenade and sports marina was created for the Olympic Games.