Thursday, 23 May 2013
Useful Links
- Assistance for US Citizens Abroad
- English Language Periodicals Online
- English Language Churches
- Catalan Organizations in North America
- Museums in Barcelona
- Family Activities
- Historical Sites in Barcelona
- Modernist Architectural Sites
- Transportation
- Movies in Original Version (V.O.)
- English Language Books
- Welcome to Barcelona
Non-Governmental Organizations
American Citizens Abroad (ACA), the voice of Americans overseas, is a non-profit, non-partisan, all-volunteer organization that represents the interests of Americans living and working outside the U.S. to the Executive Branch of the U.S. Government, the U.S. Congress, and the U.S. Federal Judiciary to insure that Americans overseas are treated with equality and fairness.The AAC is an association of American Clubs, Societies and Organizations world-wide who share reciprocal membership benefits. ASB members, upon visiting these reciprocal-club-cities may attend any AAC club’s events at local member’s prices. Contact us for more information if you are planning to visit an AAC member city and wish to attend one of their events.The AARO provides a wealth of information for US citizens living abroad. The site includes links to the IRS, State Department, Customs, Social Security Administration and more.Founded in 1931, FAWCO is a non-partisan, not-for-profit corporation that serves as an umbrella network linking over 75 independent American and international volunteer organizations for citizens living overseas.The Overseas Vote Foundation (OVF), an official partner of the National Association of Secretaries of State (NASS), provides nonpartisan voter services for US citizens overseas and uniformed services members. You can find here deadlines for voter registration, ballot requests, and ballot returns for the primaries and general election as well as contact information for all the election offices in the United States and links to nonpartisan candidate information.An online tool which guides U.S. voters living abroad through the process of requesting their absentee ballot – simplifying a process which can otherwise be long and complicated with many potential pitfalls along the way. It is provided as a public service, in English and Spanish, by Democrats Abroad for the use of all overseas voters, regardless of party affiliation.United States Government Organizations
The Consulate General serves a consular district composed of the Spanish regions of Catalonia, Aragon and the Balearic Islands.The FVAP provides absentee Voting Assistance to Uniformed Services Members and Overseas Citizens, and provides a list of 10 things you can do to ensure your absentee vote is counted. Responsibility has no borders. Vote!Download all your tax forms online.The Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) is a free service provided by the U.S. Government to U.S. citizens who are traveling to, or living in, a foreign country. STEP allows you to enter information about your upcoming trip abroad so that the Department of State can better assist you in an emergency.Find out about retirement, medicare and disability and apply for your benefits online.Government made easy. Find information about citizenship, visas, education, marriage and divorce, travel warnings, and more.The U.S. Department of State issues Public Announcements to disseminate information quickly about terrorist threats and other relatively short-term conditions that pose significant risks or disruptions to Americans.Barcelona's English Language Periodicals
Packed with useful information about what’s on and where to go out: nightlife, bars, restaurants, plus hundreds of classifieds for jobs, flats language exchange and much more!Strives to provide a point of reference for all of our readers.A cultural magazine & guide to Barcelona with articles, reviews, events, and event listings.Porktie Magazine is a free online magazine for English speaking residents in Barcelona.International Periodicals in English
China news, world news, video reports, live events.The official newspaper of the Communist Party of China.Germany's international broadcaster, producing TV, radio and Internet programming.Breaking news, opinion and editorial, reviews, features, science, business, culture, sports, etc.The latest world news report International breaking news and headlines.International news, analysis, opinion and breaking news; the world's daily newspaper online.
English edition of French newspaper with left European perspective.An English-language newspaper published in JapanA daily English-language newspaper featuring objective, reliable news.NPR delivers breaking national and world news. Also top stories from business, politics, health, science, technology, music, arts and cultureBreaking News, World News & Multimedia.Front pages from around the world.A leading English-language Indian daily newspaper.Brings the Latest & Top Breaking News on Politics and Current Affairs in India & around the World.Nation, world, technology and Washington area daily. Offers news, opinion, sports, arts, etc.Ever wonder what the world knows you don't? Worldcrunch for the best foreign-language journalism.Local English Language Newspapers Worldwide
The official gateway to all local American newspaper sites online.English Language Churches in Barcelona
The International Church of Barcelona is a multicultural and interdenominational family of believers. Services are in English with headphones available to hear a Spanish translation of the service.The English-speaking community at Santa Maria Reina Catholic Church is comprised of many nationalities that gather together to celebrate the Catholic faith in the common language of English. Every Sunday you are welcome to attend 10:30 am mass at Santa Maria Reina. Coffee and fellowship are offered immediately following the mass.St George’s seeks to be a Spirit-led community where English-speaking people of every nation are welcomed, cared for and equipped to live in love and service.Catalan Organizations in North America
ACC1Ó is the agency set up by the Catalan Government to make Catalan enterprise more competitive throughout the world. Its key aims are to drive innovation, internationalization and attract inward investment.MEXCAT tiene como objetivo fundamental, difundir la cultura Mexicana en Cataluña y la Catalana en México buscando siempre el punto que une a estas dos grandes naciones y cuyo eje principal es la integración a través de la cultura popular, noticias, cinema, exposiciones, gastronomía, música y demás actividades.El Casal Català de la Península de Yucatàn realitzarà activitats de caràcter cultural: conferencies, exposicions, concerts, obertes a tot el públic.Casal Català de VancouverThe Catalan House - Casal Català- of Vancouver is a non-profit organization that promotes the diffusion of the culture of the Catalan Countries in British Columbia, Canada. The Casal is open to all who love and appreciate our heritage and culture.Punt de trobada informatiu dels catalans i catalanes del Districte de Columbia, Maryland, Virginia i Virginia Occidental.El casal es un punt de contacte pels catalans i qualsevol persona que tingui un interès per la Cultura Catalana al Nord de Califòrnia.El Casal Català del Quebec és l'associació oficial dels catalans, catalanes, catalanòfils, catalanòfiles, interessats en la promoció de la cultura dels Països Catalans al Quebec i molt especialment en reforçar els vincles Catalunya-Quebec.By creating this House, our purpose is to build a meeting point for the Catalan-speaking people of San Diego and Tijuana and the sympathizers with the culture of the Catalan Countries.Celebrating Catalan culture in the Los Angeles area.The Catalan Centre of Toronto is a meeting point for the Catalan-speaking people of Toronto and Ontario and the sympathizers with the culture of the Catalan Countries.Casal Virolai de Querétaro.Celebrating and promoting Catalan language and culture in the United States.El Club Catalán de Negocios es una asociación empresarial de representación, coordinación y fomento de los intereses profesionales de las empresas y ejecutivos/empresarios con un vínculo común: Cataluña.La Fundació Paulí Bellet és una entitat sense ànim de lucre creada el 1987 amb la voluntat de fomentar la cultura catalana als Estats Units.NACS is a professional association of scholars, students, and people with a general interest in any aspect of Catalan culture.Museums in Barcelona
The CCCB hosts a broad program of exhibitions about the most diverse aspects of contemporary art and culture.A private, not-for-profit body that sets out to disseminate Spanish and Portuguese photography from 1950 to the present day and encourage photography collecting in both countries.Specialized in Medieval sculpture and painting, it has a fund of more than 500 pieces of Spanish pottery from the 14th to the 19th centuries, and an important selection of modern art.Located in Montjuïc Park in a magnificent Mediterranean-style building designed by Josep Lluís Sert, it houses the most important public collection of works by Joan Miró.One of Europe's foremost private collections of Egyptian art and culture, and an organisation committed to research and the study and dissemination of Ancient Egypt.Offering permanent exhibits of archaeological relics which illustrate the evolution of Catalonia and its environment during Prehistory and Ancient History.MACBA - the Museum of Contemporary Art of Barcelona - is located in the Plaça dels Angels. Its collection is dedicated to international post-war art with an emphasis on Catalan art.Responsible for the conservation, research, and dissemination of the objects and buildings that are significant for our collective history and that exemplify the city's past.The aim of the Museum of the History of Catalonia is to put the history of Catalonia on display and make people aware of their shared heritage, and so help them identify with their national history.
The Museum of Erotica was set up with the clear purpose of providing an educational and recreational center focusing on eroticism: a classic theme in the history and culture of mankind.The first facility of its kind in Catalonia. Its creation has been possible thanks to the determination and efforts of the members of the Guild and their suppliers.The museum is dedicated exclusively to Catalonia’s home-grown art-nouveau movement, modernism.The Foundation’s mission is to give impetus to and disseminate figurative art, and, more specifically, painting and sculpture from the late 19th century to the present day.MEM houses the collection of Frederic Marès containing all kinds of objets d'art and objects from everyday life belonging to past centuries that today make up the rich and varied museum collection.The Maritime Museum has built up a major group of collections that are illustrative of the Catalan seafaring culture.Embraces all the arts (sculpture, painting, objets d'art, drawing, photography, coinage, etc.) explaining the general history of Catalan art from the Romanesque period to the mid-20th century.Housed in five Catalan-Gothic-style palazzos dating from the 13th and 14th centuries. A large part of the present collection comes from the donation that Picasso himself made in 1970 of his early work.Holds some of the most representative works of Catalan modern art.Family Activities
CosmoCaixa Museu de la Ciència / Science MuseumCaribe Aquatic Park / Water ParkA marine leisure and educational center on the moll d’Espanya del Port Vell, is an ideal place to see the sea bed, and a fantastic option for enjoying your free time.Barcelona Bus Turístic / Barcelona Tourist BusThe double-decker Barcelona Bus Turístic is the most convenient way to discover the city's most interesting and attractive sights.Barcelona Mar / Barcelona from the SeaTour on a yacht as you sail along the city’s coastline to enjoy a view of the city from the sea.Set in a magnificent garden over 100 years old, covering 13 hectares of Ciutadella Park and containing a collection of some 7,500 individual animals belonging to more than 400 species from all over the world.Part of “la Caixa” Foundation, CaixaForum is housed in an old textile factory. This art and cultural center has a wonderful array of art exhibitions and workshops, concerts, children´s cinema and family shows.PortAventura’s water park. Enjoy the rush of steep water slides, vast wave pools and splashing around with family or friends. Live the wildest water park adventures under the sun in a tropical atmosphere!The biggest touristic and cultural complex in miniature in the world, and the only one in Spain. lts purpose is to let the visitors know the monuments, buildings and the most representative achievements of the Princedom.Part of “la Caixa” Foundation, the Science Museum is in a modern, spacious building, and has been specially designed to be attractive both to children and adults, with a wide range of scientific and educational information, exhibitions, conferences, workshops, seminars and debates.A municipal institution that conserves collections of Mediterranean plants. The mission entrusted to this institution includes particularly that of conserving and documenting Catalonia’s natural heritage.Find information on children's play parks, Barcelona parks, swimming pools, arts, crafts, music, museums, children's party entertainment, family-friendly accommodation and child-friendly restaurants in Barcelona, getting around Barcelona with children and how to keep kids entertained whilst you are here.Barcelona's new Natural History and Science Museum housing permanent and temporary exhibitions as well as a dedicated space for under 7 year-olds.A new center for inspirational designs and inventions and an original place to take the children.The city of Barcelona has almost 700 children's public play areas. These areas, which are found in parks, gardens and squares, are of different shapes and sizes.Located on Montjuïc, El Poble Espanyol is a village constructed in 1929 which synthesizes the architecture of various regions of Spain and is a showcase for Spanish crafts.Click here for a list of public pools in Barcelona.A family amusement park, not just because family visits have been and continue to be traditional, but also because all people, whatever their age, will find attractions to suit them. This 100 year old amusement park is one of the oldest in the world, but one that never stands still.Barri Gòtic
The Catedral de la Santa Creu i Santa Eulàlia watches impassively the passing of time in a constantly moving and changing Barcelona.Inside a small medieval courtyard on Carrer Paradís, the four columns from the Temple of Augustus have survived despite the passing of the centuries.The tiny church of Sant Felip Neri is tucked away in a hidden corner of the Gothic Quarter: a little square with a romantic atmosphere which bears the same name.Tradition has it that this is Barcelona’s oldest church. True or not, it is clear that this 14th-century building stands in one of the Gothic Quarter’s most charming and least explored spots.Antònia, the biggest of the six bells that crown the octagonal belfry of the church of Santa Maria del Pi can be heard ringing out all around Barcelona’s Gothic Quarter.The Conjunt Monumental de la Plaça del Rei in Barcelona is, arguably, the Gothic architectural ensemble which best exemplifies the city’s medieval past.An ancient Roman necropolis was unearthed during construction in the 1950s. A raised walkway provides views of 70 tombs dating from the 2nd and 3rd centuries AD.La Ribera
Externally, the only perfectly-finished Catalan Gothic church. Its outer walls display the features which differentiate Catalan Gothic from European.La Rambla
The first of Barcelona’s local markets was opened on Saint Joseph’s day, on the 19th of March 1840.A beautiful, modernist opera house that has retained its role as a cultural and arts center throughout its history.It forms part of the premises of the Monastery of Santa Anna, connected to the order of the Holy Sepulchre since the 12th century.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.Sant Pere and Santa Caterina
Time seems to have stood still in the heart of the neighborhood of Sant Pere, where the church of the ancient convent of Sant Pere de les Puelles still stands.El Raval
One of the finest examples of Catalan civil-Gothic architecture.This small Romanesque church along the Carrer de Sant Pau is a haven of peace, away from the noise and bustle of Barcelona’s Raval neighborhood.Pedrables
One of the best examples of Catalan Gothic architecture; it contains numerous works of art, liturgical objects and furniture.Architectural Sites of Antoni Gaudí
Casa Batlló is a key feature in the architecture of modernist Barcelona; its spectacular facade is an iconic landmark in the city.It stands at the foot of the Collserola Ridge, on a site which boasts magnificent views of Barcelona.Built for the textile manufacturer Pere Màrtir Calvet, who set up his business premises on the ground floor and in the basement, and used the upper floors as his private residence.Commonly known as "la Pedrera", this unique building, built between 1906 and 1912 by Antoni Gaudí, was declared an UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1984.The Gaudí House Museum in Park Güell was the residence of Antoni Gaudí i Cornet. Today, this private center is open to the public to give the visitor an intimate glimpse of the Catalan architect.A unique oasis of calm with an Oriental and Moorish flavor; the building is covered with spectacular green and white tiles and was Gaudí’s first major commission.Col·legi de les TeresianesThis isolated, elegant and sober building, which looks like an unassailable fortress, is the amazing convent school designed by Gaudí for a community of nuns from the Order of Saint Teresa of Jesus.One of the most pioneering purpose-built industrial villages of the 19th century is located in the town of Santa Coloma de Cervelló, 23 Km to the south-west of Barcelona.The largest of Gaudí's works in Barcelona. It covers an area of 20 hectares, which was originally to have been an English-style garden.Fantasy and technical innovation come together in the former gatehouses of the Güell Estate.Antoni Gaudí’s best-known work and has become an undisputed symbol of Barcelona.Architectural Sites of Lluís Domènech i Montaner
One of the most sumptuous examples of modernism in Barcelona, the Casa Fuster sparkles elegantly at the top of the Passeig de Gràcia.One of most magnificent houses of one of most important avenues of Barcelona, the Passeig de Gracia, it stands on the southern corner of the block known as the "mansana de la discòrdia".Casa Thomas
It is an example of the highly decorative, purest modernists styleThe hospital is surrounded by gardens, it covers a large area with several brick pavilions decorated with polychrome tile.This concert hall in Barcelona, which is a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site, is an artistic landmark of outstanding beauty and a highly prestigious music venue.The Palau Ramon de Montaner, and is a curiously eclectic modernist building with an Italianate feel.Transportation
Barcelona AirportOne of the advantages of Barcelona airport is that it is really close by the center of city.The double-decker Barcelona Bus Turístic is the most convenient way to discover Barcelona's most interesting and attractive sights. You can get on and off the Bus Turistic as many times and for as long as you like at any of the 45 tour stops. Combine 3 different tourist tours with the same ticket -you have six transfer stops- and...let yourself be transported!Located a short walk from França train station. On Carrer d'Alí Bei near the Arc de Triomf metro station. Most national services depart from Estació del Nord. Many international services also pass through here.Located north-west of the city, a ten-minute walk from Plaça de Espanya. The offices of the bus companies operating services in Spain and abroad are located next to Barcelona-Sants railway station.Telefèric de MontjuïcA ride on the Telefèric de Montjuïc (Montjuïc Cable-Car) offers you an unbeatable perspective over the skyline of Barcelona and the surrounding area of Montjuïc. The Telefèric de Montjuïc is by far and away one of the most entertaining transport methods in Barcelona. The Telefèric de Montjuïc should not be confused with the Transbordador Aeri del Port which is a separate cable car system that can be seen operating over Barcelona’s port.Built on the occasion of the 1929 World Fair, like the Spanish Village and the Magic Fountain, the Trasbordador Aeri crosses over Barcela Harbour from La Barceloneta to Montjuïc Hill with a stop next to Barcelona World Trade Center.TMB offers route maps and timtables for the Metro, Ferrocarrils de la Generalitat de Catalunya (FGC) trains, city busses and the Tram, as well as leisure transports such as the tourist bus and Montjuic cable car.Spain's national train system. Find time tables, prices and even buy your tickets online.The taxi service is governed by the Taxi Law and the Metropolitan Taxi Regulations. It operates with city fare rates for services within the Metropolitan Area of Barcelona. The intercity fare, which is authorized by the Catalan Regional Government, is applied to routes outside of this geographic area.Movies in Original Version (V.O.)
This comfortable four-screen cinema has recently made the move from dubbed films and now shows crowd-pleasers in their original languages. Located at Avda Diagonal 508. Tel: 93 218 17 88Renovated in 2010, shows local cinema, with VO, Catalan and Spanish films. New features include 35-mm, digital and 3D projectors in three cinemas with total capacity of 650 people. Located at C/Girona 175. Tel: 93 218 17 88In its latest incarnation, the well-loved Cinema Maldà is now showing indie and art-house films. Located at C/Pi 5 (Ciutat Vella). Tel: 93 317 85 29Les Corts has six screens offering original version movies. Located at C/ Eugeni d´Or, 12, the nearest metro station is Les Corts (Line 3 - Green). Tel: 934.90.55.10Floridablanca has seven screens offering original version movies. Located at Calle Floridablanca, 135, the nearest metro station is Universitat (Line 1 - Red). Tel: 934.26.33.37This small, two-screen cinema is the nearest that Barcelona comes to an arthouse theatre, with an idiosyncratic roster of accessible classics alongside more recent films that aren't quite commercial enough for general release. This is the place to bone up on your Wilder, Antonioni, Hitchcock and others, with up to eight films per week. Located at Calle Villarroel, 102 (Urgell, Metro Line 1 - Red), has two screens offering a variety of V.O. films. Tel: 93.451.00.51The five-screen Verdi and Verdi Park, its four-screen annexe on the next street, have transformed this corner of Gràcia with a diverse program of independent, mainly European and Asian cinema. At peak times, chaos reigns; arrive early and make sure you don't confuse the line to enter for the line to buy tickets. On Tuesdays, Verdi Park plays host to Cine Ambigú, showing little-known films from around Europe. Verdi (C/Verdi 32) is connected to Verdi Park (Torrijos 49). Tel: 932.387.990This vast multiplex has all the atmosphere of the near-empty mall that surrounds it. But what it lacks in charm, it makes up for in choice, with 15 screens offering blockbusters plus mainstream foreign and Spanish releases. Weekends are seat-specific, so queues tend to be slow-moving; it's worth booking your seat online before you go. Located at C/Salvador Espriú, 61; the nearest metro station is Ciutadella Vila Olímpica (Line 4 - Yellow). With 15 screens, they offer a wide selection of original version movies. Tel: 932.21.75.85English Language Books
A well-stocked English-language bookstore with a wide range of learning and teaching materials for all ages. There is also a selection of contemporary and classic fiction. Travel guides and dictionaries. C/Roger de Lluria 118. Tel: 93 457 7692sells only English language books, new and used. Second-hand books are never more than three Euros (3€) and they buy all second-hand books for sixty cents (0,60€) a book. No quibbling. If it is English and complete, they buy it. Located at: Creu dels Molers 12, Tel: 34 934 430 594IEN is a private, non-profit, cultural organization founded in 1951 with the mission of promoting mutual understanding between Spain and the United States of America. The IEN has a large English Language library with books, periodicals and videos.A Spanish and Catalan bookstore with an excellent selection of humanities and literature and lots of English-language titles. Café/restaurant and jazz venue upstairs. Located at C/Pau Claris 85, Tel: 933 027 310Bookshop with resources for students and teachers of the English language. Children's audiovisual materials, business English courses and books to prepare for ESOL exams. At C/Provenca 203, Tel: 934 531 204Teaching supplies and educational materials for teachers and parents. Mathematics,English, Spanish, second languages, game boards, dice, flashcards etc. Tel: 934 581 274Bookshop specializing in comics and graphic novels. Weekly deliveries from the US of the latest titles from Marvel, DC Comics, etc. Access to the US previews to place orders of upcoming books. Tel: 934 101 113
- Barcelona’s Town Hall publishes a wealth of information on the city’s culture, history, city services and its repository of statistics covering economic, immigration, population and much more.Weather for the city and province as well as coastal conditions and climate statistics.El Departamento de Estadística, the Department of Statistics, is a department of the Barcelona Municipal Council. Here you can find statistics on the city and province of Barcelona.Useful City Phone Numbers for: Emergencies, Breakdown and repairs, Municipal services, Official centers, Transport, Roads, Lost bank cards, specialized information, etc.Turisme de Barcelona provides practical information for planning your trip to Barcelona, be it for business or pleasure.
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