The old harbour, Barcelona's Port Vell, which stretches from the Columbus Monument to the Barceloneta, offers endless possibilities to enjoy your leisure time, such as Imax, Aquàrium or Maremàgnum, amongst others.
Following a long historic process, the Port Vell, with its landmark buildings and monuments, now gleams like one of the most valuable pearls on the Mediterranean coast.
Port Vell commences at the end of Barcelona’s La Rambla, by the Columbus Monument, a major city landmark since 1886. At the top of the column, 50 metres above city, a viewing gallery boasts breathtaking views of the sea and the famous boulevard. On one side, the 14th-century medieval shipyards, the Drassanes Reials, provide the opportunity to visit Barcelona’s Museu Marítim, and if you head for the waterfront, in the Portal de la Pau, you’ll be able to see the historic schooner, the Pailebot Santa Eulàlia, which was built in 1918 and named after Barcelona’s co-patron saint. This is the departure point for the traditional pleasure boats, the "Golondrines", which operate harbour rides around the Port Vell.
Here, the wooden walkway, known as the Rambla de Mar, leads to the retail and leisure complex Maremagnum, Barcelona’s L’Aquàrium and the IMAX Port Vell cinema. Art works also add a splash of colour to the Moll de la Fusta in the shape of a polychrome sculpture by the American pop artist Roy Lichtenstein, and, still in Port Vell but bordering Barceloneta, the building of the old harbour warehouse, Magatzems Generals de Comerç, reminds us of the area’s mercantile past. Under the name Palau de Mar, the red-brick building now houses one of Barcelona’s most interesting museums, the Museu d’Història de Catalunya.
Columbus Monument
The Columbus Monument, stands at the end of Barcelona’s Rambla, near the sea. Take the lift inside the column to the viewing gallery at the top, 60 metres above the ground.
This major landmark on the Rambla was built in 1888 for the Universal Exhibition as a tribute to Christopher Columbus, who chose to disembark in the port of Barcelona on his return from America. Inside, a lift raises the 51mts high of the column, made of cast iron and Corinthian style, to the viewing gallery. If you look north, you’ll be able to make out the Gothic Quarter, the Cathedral, Santa Maria del Mar and the bustling Rambla. If you look towards the sea, to the east, following the coastline, you will be able to see the Olympic Marina and the modern Forum.
To the south, stands Montjuic Hill, with its castle at the top and, finally, if you look west, you’ll see Collserola Natural Park, the vast green lung surrounding the city of Barcelona.
And in its top, dominating the sky of Barcelona, the statue of Christopher Columbus holding a navigational chart in his left hand, and pointing to the route to America with his right.
Columbus Monument Opening Hours
Daily from 8.30am to 8.30pm. January 1st & December 25th closed.
Port Vell and Columbus Monument Map
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