Things to do in Auch

No. 8 of Best Things to Do in Costa del Maresme

Spotify Camp Nou

This stadium was designed by architects Francisco Miarns Miro and Josep Soteras Mauri, with Lorenzo Garcia Barbón as a collaborator. It was built between 1955 and 1957, primarily using concrete and steel materials. Although the stadium's original official name was "Estadi del FC Barcelona" (Barcelona football club stadium), it was soon affectionately called "Camp Nou" (meaning "new stadium") to distinguish it from the club's old home at Les Corts. It was not until the 2000/2001 season, after a postal vote by club members, that "Camp Nou" was officially decided as the stadium's name. Of the 29,102 votes received by the club, 19,861 (68.25%) were in favor of Spotify Camp Nou, not Barcelona football club stadium. Spotify Camp Nou currently has a capacity of 99,354 spectators. However, due to multiple renovations, its total capacity has varied over the years. When Spotify Camp Nou first opened in 1957, it could accommodate 93,053 spectators, and its capacity was expanded to 120,000 in 1982. However, in the late 1990s, due to new regulations prohibiting standing areas, the stadium's capacity was sharply reduced to fewer than 99,000. In the 1998-99 season, UEFA recognized the services and facilities of Spotify Camp Nou, awarding it the five-star rating stadium title. In 2010, according to new UEFA regulations, the five-star rating stadium title was replaced by the new "category four" stadium title. Among the various facilities provided in the stadium, the church next to the changing room, VIP lounge, press room, multiple TV studios, sports medicine center, operations control unit (UCO), veterans area, Barcelona football club museum and offices of various club departments are particularly noteworthy.

Once upon a time - Escape Game

Circa Auch

No. 9 of Best Things to Do in Costa del Maresme

Cathedral of Barcelona

The Cathedral of Barcelona is located in the Gothic Quarter of the old town, officially named the "Cathedral of the Holy Cross and Saint Eulalia"—it is not Gaudí's Sagrada Família, but the true cathedral of Barcelona. The main structure was built between the late 13th and 15th centuries in the Catalan Gothic style, featuring a broad nave and a solid presence. The current facade and central tower, which form the frontage, were added in the early 20th century based on 15th-century original designs in the Neo-Gothic style, with a row of gargoyles along the cornice displaying varied poses, worth a closer look. The chapels in the cathedral cloister enshrine the patron saints of various craft guilds. The choir stalls, religious frescoes, sculptures, and exquisite gold and silver artifacts in the Santa Eulalia chapel are dazzlingly splendid.

No. 10 of Best Things to Do in Costa del Maresme

Casa Vicens

Casa Vicens is Gaudí's first architectural work, widely recognized by the art world as the origin of all his whimsical ideas. Located in Barcelona's vibrant Gràcia district, this building is a private residence blending Neo-Mudéjar, exotic Oriental, and Neoclassical styles. Construction began in 1883, incorporating diverse materials such as iron, glazed tiles, colored papier-mâché, mosaic tiles, and rough red bricks. With his unique craftsmanship, Gaudí harmonized these elements, showcasing the intrinsic value of materials in architecture. As a devoted naturalist, Gaudí drew decorative inspiration from local flora like palm leaves, marigolds, ivy, and daisies. He meticulously integrated these motifs into the house—wall paintings, roof ornaments, and balcony patterns all echo nature's forms, blurring the boundaries between indoors and outdoors. Every corner exudes a sense of natural balance. In his 1878 book *La Casa Pairal*, Gaudí elaborated on his philosophy of private residences and the concept of "home." These ideas found tangible expression in Casa Vicens, marking his first attempt to merge theory with practice and laying the foundation for his signature style. The house brilliantly demonstrates the beauty and power of design. Later masterpieces like Park Güell, Casa Batlló, Casa Milà, and the Sagrada Família further cemented the bond between Barcelona and Gaudí's name. As one of the early 20th century's foremost architects, the city fueled his genius, while his creations became its aesthetic legacy. Casa Vicens was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2005. Until 2014, it remained a private residence before undergoing extensive restoration and opening as a museum in November 2017. After two years of refinements, this architectural gem unveiled its splendor to the public after a century of seclusion.

La Ferme du Hitton

No. 11 of Best Things to Do in Costa del Maresme

Recinte Modernista de Sant Pau

The Recinte Modernista de Sant Pau is located in Barcelona and is a masterpiece of Catalan modernist architecture, completed by the architect duo Lluís Domènech i Montaner and his son Pere Domènech i Roura. The father, Lluís Domènech i Montaner, led the design, while his son Pere oversaw the final construction after his passing. In 1997, the entire complex was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. After its medical functions were relocated to a new building, the site underwent comprehensive restoration and now serves as a museum and cultural center open to the public. Unlike traditional hospitals with a centralized main building, this one was planned as a "hospital city in a garden": small red-brick pavilions adorned with colorful ceramics and mosaics are scattered among gardens and green spaces, connected by underground passages spanning over a kilometer. Sunlight and ventilation were central to the design, and the gardens themselves were intended for patient recuperation. First-time travelers often mistake the site for a palace. The administration building near the main entrance is the most lavishly decorated structure in the complex, featuring a towering clock tower. Inside, the lofty main hall showcases stained glass, mosaics, and carved railings, with sculptures by artists like Pau Gargallo. The mosaic murals on the walls trace the hospital's history since the early 15th century, worth savoring at a leisurely pace. The visitor route is straightforward: enter through the columned hall (once the emergency department) in the administration building's basement, follow the underground passage to the Sant Salvador Pavilion, which opened in 1916. The two-level exhibition covers the hospital's 600-year history and the architects' works. Then, cross the garden to visit the Sant Rafael Pavilion, restored to its 1920s ward appearance, and the surgery pavilion, which features large north-facing windows for even natural light during operations. Finally, return to the administration building to explore its various rooms. Note that some buildings, like the chapel, are not open to the public and can only be viewed from the outside. The entire complex is angled relative to the surrounding streets, with its main axis aligned toward the Sagrada Família, connected by a straight tree-lined avenue. The two sites can easily be visited on the same day.

No. 10 of Night Attractions in Spain

Gothic Quarter

Gothic Quarter is the heart of Barcelona's old city and the birthplace of the city. Around the turn of the millennium, the Romans established the settlement of Barcino here; remnants of the Roman square city walls can still be identified on many street corners, while many buildings were constructed in the Middle Ages, forming the profound backdrop of this area. Strolling through it, the streets are intricately intertwined, and small squares and narrow alleys layer to create a deep medieval atmosphere. Several iconic squares in the area each have their own unique features. Plaça de Sant Jaume is the political center of Barcelona, with the City Hall (Casa de la Ciutat / Ayuntamiento) and the Palau de la Generalitat de Catalunya standing on either side. King's Square concentrates the Palau Reial Major, the Roman wall ruins, and the City History Museum; the museum's basement also preserves walkable ancient Roman street ruins. Placa Reial is famous for its symmetrical arcades and palm trees. The Cathedral of Barcelona is a representative work of Gothic architecture, with white geese kept in its inner courtyard, a legend related to the city's patron saint, Saint Eulalia. Pont del Bisbe is a neo-Gothic style covered bridge, with a skull and dagger decoration hidden beneath the arch. Hidden in a courtyard behind the cathedral, the Temple of Augustus ruins, with several Roman stone columns dating back over 2,000 years, are one of the important ancient Roman stone remains in Barcelona.

No. 11 of Night Attractions in Spain

Güell Palace

Güell Palace is the residence designed by architect Gaudí for industrialist Güell in Barcelona's old town. Construction began in 1886 and was completed in time for the 1888 Barcelona World Expo, solidifying Gaudí's reputation as a master of atmospheric spatial creation. It was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1984. Originally built as the home of industrial magnate Güell, Gaudí meticulously balanced the needs of private living and social functions in his design, incorporating ingenious solutions for lighting and furnishings. The wrought-iron Güell family crest between the arches exudes grandeur. The parabolic vault of the central hall showcases exceptional craftsmanship, with its arches and columns clearly influenced by the Alhambra Palace. The diverse chimney designs here became precursors to Gaudí's later bold chimney creations. His beloved trencadís (broken tile mosaic) technique was first extensively employed here, achieving breathtaking beauty. Additionally, Güell Palace hosts a permanent exhibition featuring mosaics, ironwork, and other decorative elements Gaudí used in the design, alongside furniture, sculptures, and paintings.

Stade Jacques Fouroux