Tibidabo, Barcelona

Most visitors to Tibidabo head for the Parc de Atraccions, an amusement park constructed on several levels on the steep mountain-side, similar to that on the Montjuïc. Dating from 1901 the amusement park has recently been renovated. There are various types of rides (roller coaster, big wheel, dodgems, go-carts) and other amusements, games of skill, computer games, several restaurants and so on. Families with children will find a visit to the park particularly worthwhile; it is best to plan to spend at least half a day there or, better still, a full day, when the visit can be combined with a visit to the Museu de la Ciència near the lower station of the Tramvia Blau.As well as the normal entry ticket - which is comparatively cheap but only includes six determined attractions - there is an "all-in" ticket, which includes the use of all the facilities at no extra cost. The hours of opening vary but can be obtained from any tourist office.

The Museu del Ciència lies at the foot of Tibidabo. It is sponsored by the Caixa de Pensions de Catalunya (Pension Insurance Company of Catalonia), which is also active in other spheres as a supporter of cultural pursuits. The museum building, erected for charitable purposes in the early 20th C., has been suitably extended. Nearby runs the city ring road, constructed specially for the forthcoming Olympic Games and separating the museum from Tibidabo.The aim of the extensive experimental collection is to explain - mainly by means of simple experiments which people can carry out themselves - natural history phenomena and relationships to as wide a spectrum of the populace as possible. The main emphasis is on ecology, optical, accoustic and sensorial awareness, with considerable space devoted to each.Outside, near the entry kiosk, an old submarine has been put on display, partly opened up so that the interior can be inspected.The museum is particularly valuable for children of primary school age upwards, not least because of the many opportunities for personal experiments and activities; they should spend at least half a day there. For smaller children there is a play-room (with child minders), equipped with toys on specific themes.

The Villa Joana, which has been converted into a museum for the Catalan poet Jacint Verdaguer, is situated in the northwest outskirts of Barcelona in the district of Vallvidrera at the southern foot of Mt Tibidabo. It is best reached by taking the train from the Plaça de Catalunya in the direction of Sant Cugat (Ferrocarrils de la Generalitat) as far as the Station Baixador de Vallvidrera; from here the museum is reached after a five-minute walk in a southeasterly direction.The villa was originally a manor house, partly dating back to the Middle Ages. Its owners gave the ailing Verdaguer shelter here. After a few weeks the poet died on the June 10 1902 at the age of 57.The museum partly occupies rooms used by Verdaguer and subsequently kept virtually unaltered, and displays original manuscripts as well as contemporary paintings and drawings. A large part is devoted to Verdaguer's epic poem "L'Atlàntida", for which the painter F. Vall Verdaguer has painted a series of oil pictures. A visual and aural commentary completes the overview of Verdaguer's life and work.In a pine wood nearby is the "Font Vella" (old spring).

On the top of Tibidabo stands Sagrat Cor church, built on various levels as recently as 1961 in Gothic style by the architect Enric Sagnier. The ground floor is a building strongly reminiscent of the period around the turn of the century; in the apse a mosaic portrays people dressed in clothes worn by middle-class citizens of the time. On the second level stands the basilica, Neo-Gothic in style and almost circular in plan; its enormous height gives the impression of great spaciousness.A lift goes up to a platform 541.8m/1778ft above sea level, with several towers.

The Gabinet de Física Experimental "Mentora Alsina" is on the road from Vallvidrera to Tibidabo, close to the lower station of the beach funicular which goes up the mountain. The museum has its origins in the former private collection of Ferran Alsina i Perellada, who occupied the house until 1907, and it now belongs to the city of Barcelona. It has on display working models and originals of machines and instruments from the fields of mechanics, optics, acoustics, thermodynamics, electricity, etc.

A little further along the Carrer Montcada from the Textiles Museum, at No. 20, stands the Palau Dalmases, which has been the headquarters since 1962 of the cultural organization known as the "Omnium Cultural". The 17th C. palace boasts a beautiful inner courtyard with a Renaissance staircase.

The 15th/16th C. Palau Cervelló, on the opposite side of the street from the Palau Dalmases, at No. 25, is also worth seeing. It houses the Maeght Art Gallery.